Late-delayed brain irradiation (Q85136): Difference between revisions

Brain injury occurring several months to years following therapeutic cranial irradiation and is associated with diffuse cerebral atrophy, focal radiation necrosis and secondary vascular change. Pathologically, there are changes of demyelination. Clinical features of late-delayed brain irradiation include cognitive impairment, dementia, gait disturbance, hypothalamic dysfunction resulting in endocrine disturbances, optic neuropathy and other cranial neuropathies and vascular disease. The incidence of late-delayed radiotherapy effects is related to the total radiation dose and the size of fractionated doses. Diagnosis may be aided by neuroimaging including nuclear imaging and brain biopsy.