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Somnolence syndrome after focal radiation therapy to the pineal region: case report and review of the literature

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Abstract

Somnolence syndrome classically occurs in children after cranial irradiation for acute lymphocytic leukemia. Symptoms include somnolence, fever, nausea and vomiting, and headache. The authors report a 29 year-old female who developed symptoms compatible with the somnolence syndrome after completing radiation therapy for a benign meningioma near the pineal region. Five weeks after completing conformal radiation therapy (54 Gy), she developed profound fatigue, headaches, and 102° fevers. Physical examination and routine laboratory work were unrevealing. Imaging was not performed. Prednisone was prescribed and within 1 week her symptoms had largely resolved. This is the first report of the somnolence syndrome after focal radiation therapy. The possible etiology of the somnolence syndrome is discussed.

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Abbreviations

ALL:

acute lymphocytic leukemia

RT:

radiation therapy

DVH:

dose-volume histogram

RAS:

reticular activating system

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Dr. Edward Halperin for proofreading the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA

    Chris R. Kelsey & Lawrence B. Marks

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA

    Chris R. Kelsey

Authors
  1. Chris R. Kelsey
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  2. Lawrence B. Marks
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Correspondence to Chris R. Kelsey.

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Kelsey, C.R., Marks, L.B. Somnolence syndrome after focal radiation therapy to the pineal region: case report and review of the literature. J Neurooncol 78, 153–156 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-005-9073-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-005-9073-1

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