Electrophysiologic evidence of subclinical injury to the posterior columns of the human spinal cord after therapeutic radiation

Journal Article · Wed Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0142(19821215)50:12<2815::AID-CNCR2820501221>3.0.CO;2-P· OSTI ID:5849358

Dorfman, L J; Donaldson, S S; Gupta, P R; Bosley, M D

Spinal somatosensory conduction velocity (SSCV) was indirectly estimated from cerebral evoked potentials in 15 adults who had received therapeutic radiation (RT) (2000-4380 rad) to the thoracic spinal cord during treatment for lung cancer, and in 15 age-matched normal controls. Thirteen of the patients had also received 4400-5500 rad to the supraclavicular fossae. One-way impulse conduction time in the arm, estimated from F-wave latency, was prolonged in the patients as compared to controls but conduction time in the leg was similar in the two groups. SSCV was significantly slower in the patient group whereas supraspinal latency (cervical cord to cortex) was identical. SSCV in the patient group was not related to total RT dose but was correlated with both treatment time and number of fractions. These findings suggest that RT may produce subclinical spinal cord dysfunction even at conventional dosage schedules, and that it may be possible physiologically to monitor the myelopathic effects of RT in individual patients.

• Research Organization: Standord Univ. Medical Center, CA
• OSTI ID: 5849358
• Journal Information: Cancer (Philadelphia); (United States), Vol. 50:12
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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