The Retrospective Study Of Radiation-indued Brachial Plexopathy

ObjectivesTo explore the etiological factors, clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis on Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy.MethodsRetrospectively,9 cases with radiation-induced brachial plexopathy, which were treated in the first hospital of china medical university and liaoning provincial tumor hospital between Jan.1996 and Del.2009.4 of them performed rehabilitation therapy in rehabilitation department. These 9 cases were analysis at the clinical manifestation, etiological factors, treatment and prognosis.Results9 case were followed up for a period of 5 month to 11 years, with an average of 5.5 years.1 case was dead because of local recurrences. Symptoms began from 5 months to 9 years after radiotherapy (median time 30.6 months). Progressive weakness was universal. After 1.5 years,2 years and 3 years,2 cases loss of any useful hand function in all. though the rate did vary. In 9 patients paraesthesia and numbness of fingers were the first symptoms. Cinical evidence of whole plexus(C5-T1) motor involvement was seen in 5 cases. The lower plexus dermatomes(C8/T1) was seen in 4 cases. The result of SOMA scale was 2 case at graed 4,2 cases at graed 3,3 cases at graed 2,2 cases at graed 1. All treatment methods were not able to reverse or hinder deterioration of the disease.ConclusionsThe characteristics of radiation-induced brachial plexopathy was tardy, gradal, nonreversible, no effective treatment witnessed up-to-date. It is necessary to probe into the mechanism and context the current advanced treatment to find out an effective way to treat the disease.At present, we must focus on preventing the occurrence of the disease.