What Researchers Did
Researchers retrospectively reviewed 7 paediatric and young adult patients (ages 10-23) who received HBOT (3 to 60 sessions) at a California paediatric neuro-oncology center for either cerebral radiation necrosis or tumour-associated brain oedema.
What They Found
Clinical improvement after HBOT was observed in 4 of 7 patients. Symptoms were stable in 2 and worsened in 1 patient. Among the 5 patients with radiation necrosis, 4 (80%) showed both clinical and radiographic improvement. No long-term adverse events from HBOT were reported.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Radiation necrosis is a serious complication for Canadian children treated with brain radiation for cancer. This study supports HBOT as a safe and potentially effective option in paediatric patients, with an 80% response rate in the radiation necrosis subgroup. Canadian paediatric oncology centers should consider HBOT referral for this complication.
Canadian Relevance
Delayed radiation injury is an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT in Ontario.
Study Limitations
The study had only 7 patients with heterogeneous diagnoses and HBOT session counts; this is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions, though the safety data are reassuring.