Table 1 Timeline, symptoms, and imaging findings of radiation-induced brain injury [11,12,13,14]
Acute | Early Delayed | Late delayed | |
|---|---|---|---|
Onset | Days/weeks after RT Reversible | 1–4 months after RT Reversible | 6 months after RT Not reversible |
Symptoms | Headache Nausea and vomiting Transient neurological deficits | Somnolence Transient cognitive deficits and memory loss | Focal or diffuse neurological defects Progressive cognitive impairment |
Imaging findings | Inapparent | Inapparent Pseudoprogression | Leukoencephalopathy Parenchymal atrophy Radionecrosis Vascular disorders (stroke, Moyamoya, mineralizing microangiopathy, capillary telangiectasias, cavernous malformations) Secondary tumors Transient focal enhancing lesions Stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) |