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Osteoradionecrosis after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for recurrent cervical cancer presenting as a progressive osteolytic lesion

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Abstract

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the pelvic bone presenting as a progressive osteolytic lesion, following three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) with concurrent chemotherapy, is a clinical diagnostic challenge that must be differentiated from an osseous metastasis. We report on a case with an unusual presentation of ORN mimicking bony metastasis that should be taken note of by physicians. A 46-year-old woman who had recurrent cervical cancer in the right pelvic sidewall underwent concurrent salvage chemoradiotherapy. She received 63 Gy 3DCRT. At 22 months, post-RT, an asymptomatic but enlarging osseous defect in the right ilium, located within the area covered by a 95% isodose line, was demonstrated on pelvic computed tomography (CT). ORN was confirmed by whole-body [18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) CT scan and CT-guided bone biopsy. A localized, growing ORN of pelvic bone after high-dose 3DCRT is an uncommon late complication. Differential diagnosis between ORN and bony metastasis may be possible with low FDG uptake of ORN on PET-CT scans.

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Correspondence to Seung J. Huh.

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Lee, J.A., Huh, S.J., Oh, D. et al. Osteoradionecrosis after three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for recurrent cervical cancer presenting as a progressive osteolytic lesion. Ann Nucl Med 22, 139–141 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-007-0090-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-007-0090-3

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