Sciatic nerve moneuropathy: an unusual late effect of radiotherapy

Muscle Nerve. 2009 Nov;40(5):872-4. doi: 10.1002/mus.21370.

Abstract

In this study we report a progressive sciatic mononeuropathy occurring 13 years after radiotherapy (56-Gy prescribed dose) for a synovial sarcoma of the thigh. Conformal dosimetric reconstitution showed that irradiation was heterogeneous and that the sciatic nerve received 66 Gy over a 25-cm length. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed muscle fibrosis and increased sciatic nerve diameter. Our observation suggests that the risk of late mononeuropathy should be considered when large-volume and high-dose radiotherapy includes a nerve trunk.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mononeuropathies / diagnosis*
  • Mononeuropathies / etiology
  • Radiation Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Sciatic Nerve / pathology*
  • Sciatic Nerve / radiation effects*