Radiation-Induced Myonecrosis: A Case Report of a Cervical Cancer Patient With a History of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

TL;DR

A cervical cancer patient with a history of lupus developed a rare condition called radiation-induced myonecrosis after treatment, which improved with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Contribution

This case report highlights the rare occurrence of radiation-induced myonecrosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Findings

The patient developed myonecrosis in the obturator externus and pectineus muscles after chemoradiation.

MRI and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of radiation-induced myonecrosis.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy led to complete resolution of the masses and symptom improvement.

Abstract

Radiation-induced myonecrosis is a rare but serious complication of radiation therapy. We present a case of a 49-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed radiation-induced myonecrosis after concurrent chemoradiation for cervical cancer. She underwent external-beam radiation therapy, weekly cisplatin chemotherapy (40 mg/m2), and intracavitary brachytherapy. One month later, she received one cycle of nedaplatin (80 mg/m2) and irinotecan (60 mg/m2). Two months after treatment, she experienced pain in the left inguinal region. An MRI revealed a mass in the left obturator externus muscle and right pectineus muscle suggestive of myonecrosis. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. She received hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and her symptoms improved. The masses resolved completely.

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