[A case of chronic progressive radiation myelopathy successfully treated with corticosteroid]

One patient who underwent radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer two years earlier developed chronic progressive radiation myelopathy and exhibited localized swelling of the cervical spinal cord at the C4 level and resultant blocking of the subarachnoid space on myelography and CT myelography. The condition responded markedly to the administration of corticosteroid except for persisting mild spasticity and sensory disturbances. On myelography and CT myelography half a year later, the cervical spinal cord showed no swelling. The corticosteroid therapy is considered to be useful for radiation myelopathy.