The benefit of intravenous immune globulin in the treatment of delayed radiation myelopathy

Abstract

Delayed radiation myelopathy (DRM) is a rare yet severe complication of radiotherapy. This condition has a progressive pattern that is often irreversible. Several therapeutic strategies have been introduced to alleviate disease complications, including corticosteroids, hyperbaric oxygen, anticoagulants, and antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents. However, despite their beneficial effect, they have not been the definitive treatments for DRM. Here we present the case of a 55-year-old woman with a history of multiple myeloma who developed neurological complications 11 months after radiation therapy. As her radiologic findings demonstrated transverse myelitis, based on the DRM diagnostic criteria, the diagnosis of delayed radiation myelitis was reached. Therefore, methylprednisolone pulse therapy was initiated, resulting in the complete resolution of her neurological symptoms. However, on her follow-up examination, although she did not have new neurological complications, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a residual enhancement in the thoracic spinal cord area. Hence, due to the possibility of myelitis progression and spinal cord atrophy, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) was administered, resulting in the resolution of lesion enhancement. Considering this outcome and the immunomodulatory properties of IVIG, it could be regarded as a potential therapeutic option in the case of DRM activity.