Abstract
A 56-year-old man had radiation necrosis of the optic pathways, hypothalamus and brainstem following irradiation of a pituitary adenoma at a conventional dose. Factors which predispose to this complication are discussed. Vascular risk factors appear to facilitate radiation induced necrosis, and a reduction of doses is suggested in these cases.
MeSH terms
-
Adenoma / radiotherapy
-
Brain Diseases / etiology*
-
Brain Stem / radiation effects
-
Humans
-
Hypothalamus / radiation effects
-
Male
-
Middle Aged
-
Necrosis
-
Pituitary Irradiation / adverse effects*
-
Pituitary Neoplasms / radiotherapy
-
Prolactin / metabolism
-
Radiation Injuries / etiology*
-
Radiotherapy Dosage
-
Visual Pathways / radiation effects