Sarah Wu MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Udochukwu Uyoyo BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Paul Jacobson MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lilia N. Loredo MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniel Kido MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To retrospectively determine the temporal pattern of radiation-induced telangiectasia using susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in patients who have received cranial irradiation.

The study was institutional review board approved and HIPAA compliant. This retrospective study examined the records of 57 patients who had undergone cranial irradiation between 2001 and 2005 with follow-up SWI. The SWIs were reviewed with two neuroradiologists and the appearance of each telangiectatic lesion was recorded. Telangiectasias were defined as small low intensity foci on SWI. Significant differences between the telangiectasia and non-telangiectasia groups were calculated using Mann-Whitney U and Pearson Chi-Square tests.

Telangiectasias in at least one area were observed in 27 (43.9%) patients. The total number of telangiectasias developed per patient ranged from 1-13 over a follow-up period of 1-88 months. The median number of telangiectasias was 3 (Range, 0-13). The median duration of follow-up for those with telangiectasias was 40 months (Range = 80; 1-81 months). The median time of follow-up was not statistically significant (Mann Whitney U, p=0.097) between subjects with and without telangiectasias. The telangiectasia group and non-telangiectasia group were not significantly different from each other with respect to sex (Pearson Chi-Square 0.022, p=0.881). The total radiation doses (Mann-Whitney U, p=0.948) and total number of fractions (Mann-Whitney U, p=0.522) were not associated with development of telangiectasias. Patients with telangiectasias were significantly (t-test, p=0.041) younger (24.0 ± 22.7 years) than the non-telangiectasia group (36.6 ± 22.2 years). Chemotherapy is not significantly associated with the presence of telangiectasias (Pearson Chi-Square 0.264, p=0.607).

Radiation induced telangiectasias occurred in 43.9% of patients who underwent cranial irradiation and received SWI follow-up. Most telangiectasias became visible at 2-4 years post treatment. Younger age is associated with the development of telangiectasias. Higher radiation doses, chemotherapy and number of fractions did not appear to affect development of telangiectasias.

Radiation-induced telangiectasias occur in a significant proportion of patients post cranial irradiation and may be a useful marker for cerebral infarcts, hemorrhagic complications or clinical course.

Wu, S, Uyoyo, U, Jacobson, P, Loredo, L, Kido, D, Temporal Risk of Radiation-induced Cerebral Telangiectasias Detected by Susceptibility-weighted Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8014157.html