What Researchers Did
Researchers reported on a 61-year-old woman who developed delayed radiation myelopathy after receiving radiation therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
What They Found
A 61-year-old woman developed rapid progressive numbness and weakness in both legs 22 months after receiving palliative radiation therapy (39 Gy in 3 Gy fractions). She was diagnosed with delayed radiation myelopathy and treated with corticosteroids, heparin, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, but these treatments were not effective, and she experienced complete leg paralysis within 3 months.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers delayed radiation myelopathy, which falls under delayed radiation injury, a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings from this study cannot be applied to a larger patient population.