Rapid onset of radiation maculopathy after whole-brain radiation therapy: A case report. Issue 39 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hsu, Cherng-Ru; Tai, Ming-Cheng; Chang, Yun-Hsiang; Chien, Ke-Hung
• Other Names: Şahin. Alparslan section editor.
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 95:Issue 39(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: gefitinib -- radiation maculopathy -- whole-brain radiation therapy; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000004830
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Radiation maculopathy is a phenomenon that occurs after radiation exposure. The rapid onset of unilateral macular atrophy without peripheral retinopathy after radiation has rarely been described. Methods: A case report and literature review. Results: We report a case of stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer under targeted therapy using Gefitinib who presented with severely impaired visual acuity related to rapid onset of unilateral macular atrophy and diminished photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction 1 month after whole-brain radiation therapy. The fundus fluorescein angiography revealed an enlarged diamond-shaped clear-cut foveal avascular zone in the macula without peripheral retinal vascular changes that differed from typical radiation retinopathy. We confirmed the diagnosis by evaluating the total radiation dosage and by excluding target therapy-induced maculopathy based on a review of the medical literature. Conclusion: Current therapeutic interventions for macular atrophy after radiation therapy remain a challenge. Vasodilators or antiplatelet medication may be beneficial; however, long-term follow-up is needed. Further studies are required to support the use of early aggressive therapy for the prevention of radiation retinopathy.