[Histopathology of radiation injury of the brain with special reference to intraoperative radiotherapy]

Histological changes of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) induced brain injury are rather localized, but generally similar to those caused by external radiation therapy. The CT findings of radiation necrosis which are mistakenly diagnosed as a recurrent tumor might be due to the progression of necrosis and surrounding edema. IORT is a very effective treatment for gliomas, but enlargement of the treatment field size of IORT could increase the potential hazard of radiation to the normal brain tissue.