Vascular complications of cranial radiation.
OBJECTIVE
Cerebral vascular disease has been reported as a long-term complication of cranial radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency and risk factors associated with development of cerebral vascular disease in children after cranial radiation.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of all cancer patients treated between 1985 and 2003 who were under the age of 18 years at the time of initial radiotherapy was performed. Variables examined include diagnosis and site of malignancy, age at the time of radiotherapy, sex, total radiation dosage, number of fractions, duration, and whether the patient had proven cerebral vascular event.


RESULTS
Two hundred and forty-four patients met the study criteria. One hundred and 13 cases involved tumors of the central nervous system. The remaining patients had systemic neoplastic disease. Post radiation cerebral vascular disease occurred in 11 (5%) patients, and all but one patient had a tumor involving the central nervous system (mainly in the posterior fossa and supratentorial midline).


CONCLUSIONS
There is an increased risk of cerebral vascular disease after radiation therapy in childhood, especially in children who received high dose radiation at the posterior fossa and supratentorial axial region.
Keene
Daniel L
DL
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada. dkeene@cheo.on.ca
Johnston
Donna L
DL
Grimard
Laval
L
Michaud
Jean
J
Vassilyadi
Michael
M
Ventureyra
Enrique
E
D000293:Adolescent; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*