[Radiation induced brachial plexopathy: Diagnosis, risk factors, principles of care]

Abstract

Radiation plexitis, also known as radiation-induced brachial neuropathy is a rare toxicity following axillary, breast, cervical or thoracic radiotherapy, first described in 1966 by Stoll and Andrew. Although improvements in radiotherapy techniques have greatly reduced its risk over the past seventy years, its severe form remains a dreaded complication that is difficult to manage in patients with increased life expectancy. This article summarizes the epidemiological elements, risk factors, diagnostic methods, doses and constraints to be respected in radiotherapy and the treatment strategies of radiation plexitis.

Keywords: Brachial plexus; Late toxicity; Plexite radique; Plexus brachial; Radiation plexitis; Radiotherapy; Radiothérapie; Toxicité tardive.