Radiation Myelitis of the Cervical Spinal Cord

Abstract

1. 161 cases that have received radiation to the cervical cord at therapeutic dosage levels have been investigated. Ten cases of radiation myelitis have been discovered. Six of these were progressive lesions, with five deaths, and four were transient. 2. The interval between treatment and onset of symptoms is approximately twelve months, in agreement with a few previously recorded cases. 3. The symptomatology of radiation myelitis is described, and the diagnosis and differential diagnosis discussed. 4. It is suggested that relatively long lengths of cervical cord should not receive more than 3500 r in seventeen days. 5. The administration of 5000 r in seventeen days, or 2000 r in one day, the approximate lethal dose level for squamous carcinoma, to even short lengths of cervical cord is likely to lead to permanent damage in some cases. When it is necessary to irradiate tumours situated near the spinal cord, the dose that the latter receives should routinely be estimated and should be kept as low as possible.