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  • Successful treatment of quadriparesis from radiation myelopathy with bevacizumab in a patient with metastatic breast cancer

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Case report
Successful treatment of quadriparesis from radiation myelopathy with bevacizumab in a patient with metastatic breast cancer
  1. Nirja Shah1 and
  2. Surabhi Ranjan2
  1. 1University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
  2. 2Department of Neurology, Orlando Health, Orlando, Florida, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Surabhi Ranjan; surabhiranjan18{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Radiation myelopathy (RM) is rare condition defined as injury to the spinal cord by ionising radiation. Due to improved survival in patients with advanced malignancies, there is a renewed interest in recognition and treatment of RM. There are very few reports on treatment of RM. A 64-year-old woman with metastatic oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor weakly positive and human epidermal growth factor 2 negative breast, stereotactic radiosurgeries to brain metastases and a history of reradiation to the cervical spinal cord presented with neck pain, arm weakness, hyperreflexia and gait ataxia. RM was suspected and the patient was started on high dose corticosteroid therapy. However, the patient’s condition deteriorated and she developed quadriparesis. A timely treatment with an antivascular endothelial growth factor antibody, bevacizumab reversed her neurological deficits and preserved her walking ability. Our case illustrates a prompt diagnosis and successful treatment of RM with bevacizumab.

  • neurology (drugs and medicines)
  • neurooncology
  • breast cancer
  • chemotherapy
  • radiotherapy

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-246470

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors NS was the lead author for this case report, in charge of acquiring and interpreting data and lead the writing of the manuscript. SR was the consultant in charge during the case, was actively involved in decision making and patient treatment and informed consent. SR conceptualised and designed the study and critically edited the paper for intellectual content. Both NS and SR provided approval of the version to be published and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.