Acta Scientific Orthopaedics (ISSN: 2581-8635)

Case Report Volume 4 Issue 1

Radiation-Induced Brachial Plexopathy. Two Case Revision

Julio Cesar Sánchez Hernández1,Pedro Vicente Fuentes Escobar2*,Laura Valentina Greco Bermúdez3, Pedro Tomas Jerez Garcia1 and Maria Fernanda Sánchez de la Fuente3

1Clinical Neurophysiology Service, Electromyography Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alacant, Spain
2Orthopaedics Service, Umivale, Mutua Colaboradora Con La Seguridad Social N 15, Valence, Spain
3Pathological Anatomy Service, Head and Neck Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alacant, Spain

*Corresponding Author: Pedro Vicente Fuentes Escobar, Orthopaedics Service, Umivale, Mutua Colaboradora Con La Seguridad Social N 15, Valence, Spain.

Received: November 17, 2020; Published: December 10, 2020

×

Abstract

Introduction: The brachial plexus is a complex anatomical structure formed by the lower cervical and upper thoracic nerve roots. In case of suspected brachial plexopathy, nerve conduction and electromyography studies are often used to locate the lesion and assess its severity.

Clinical Case: There are two clinical cases, the first of a 70-year-old male patient with a history of a squamous oropharynx adenocarcinoma with cervical lymph node metastasis, treated by surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the second case, a 70-year-old woman undergoing a radical right mastectomy following breast cancer, treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonotherapy. In both cases, patients developed a late-onset brachial plexopathy in relation to the treatment. Radiotherapy-induced brachial plexopathy has been described as a rare complication. It is usually debuted with paresthesias rather than pain and usually associates amyotrophy. Radiation-induced plexopathies appear to affect the upper and middle trunk of the brachial plexus in greater proportion, being unusual to affect the lower trunk.

Keywords: Carcinoma; Electroneurography; Electromyography; Neoplasm; Plexopathy; Radiotherapy

×

References

  1. Pierzchala K., et al. “Clinical and electrophysiological examination of brachial plexus in females after radiotherapy and surgical treatment for breast cancer”. Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska 28 (1994): 673-680.
  2. Galecki J., et al. “Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy and hypofractionated regimens in adjuvant irradiation of patients with breast cancer--a review”. Acta Oncologica 45 (2006): 280-284.
  3. Zhaoxi Cai., et al. “Jinping Cheng Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study”. Rev Oncotarget14 (2016): 18887-18895.
  4. Gonzalez C., et al. “Plexopatía lumbosacra 15 años después de radioterapia por carcinoma de cérxix”. Revista de Neurología 1 (2000): 97-100.
  5. Katirji B., et al. “Neuromuscular disorders in clinical practice”. Brachial Plexopaties 48 (2002): 884-905.
  6. Rosay J. “Surgical pathology. 10th Edition”. Oral Cavity and Oropharynx 5 (2013): 246.
  7. Adel K. “Who classifications of head and neck tumors of oropharynx”. 6th Base of tongue, tonsils, adenoids (2017): 136-138.
  8. Mendonca L., et al. “Tumores malignos de amígdala palatina”. Rev Faso 2 (2010): 25-32.
  9. Fattaneh A. “Who classifications of the breast and female genital organs”. Invasive Breast Cancer (2003): 13.
  10. Chad DA and Recht Ld. “Neuromuscular complications of systemic cancer”. Neurologic Clinics 9 (1991): 9001-15.
  11. Tan T., et al. “Guideline Development Group. Pharmacological management of neuropathic pain in non-specialist settings: summary of NICE guidance”. British Medical Journal 340 (2010): c1079.
  12. Tang Y., et al. “Effect of edaravone on radiation-induced brain necrosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy: a randomized controlled trial”. Journal of Neuro-Oncology 120 (2014): 441-447.
  13. Rong X., et al. “Radiation induced cranial neuropathy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A follow-up study”. Strahlentherapie und Onkologie 188 (2012): 282-286.
  14. Gosk J., et al. “Radiation induced brachial plexus neuropathy - aetiopathogenesis, risk factors, differential diagnostics, symptoms and treatment”. Folia Neuropathologica 45 (2007): 26-30.
  15. Behnke NK., et al. “Periscapular amputation as treatment for brachial plexopathy secondary to recurrent breast carcinoma: a case series and review of the literature”. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 39 (2013): 1325-1331.
×

Citation

Citation: Pedro Vicente Fuentes Escobar., et al. “Radiation-Induced Brachial Plexopathy. Two Case Revision".Acta Scientific Orthopaedics 4.1 (2021): 14-18.




Metrics

Acceptance rate33%
Acceptance to publication20-30 days

Indexed In



News and Events


  • Certification for Review
    Acta Scientific certifies the Editors/reviewers for their review done towards the assigned articles of the respective journals.
  • Submission Timeline for Upcoming Issue
    The last date for submission of articles for regular Issues is July 30, 2024.
  • Publication Certificate
    Authors will be issued a "Publication Certificate" as a mark of appreciation for publishing their work.
  • Best Article of the Issue
    The Editors will elect one Best Article after each issue release. The authors of this article will be provided with a certificate of "Best Article of the Issue"
  • Welcoming Article Submission
    Acta Scientific delightfully welcomes active researchers for submission of articles towards the upcoming issue of respective journals.

Contact US