Postirradiation lumbosacral radiculopathy following seminoma treatment presenting as flaccid neuropathic bladder: A case report

Abstract

Postirradiation lumbosacral syndrome is a radiculopathy induced by radiation injury to the spinal cord. Its usual presentation is motor deficit and or sensory loss involving the lower limbs. Visceral involvement has not been reported previously. Case presentation: We describe a case of severe hypotonic bladder caused by radiation-induced spinal cord injury following treatment of stage testicular seminoma in a 38-year-old Caucasian man who had undergone radical orchidectomy and prophylactic paraaortic lymph node irradiation for stage seminoma. Three years later he had clinical and urodynamic findings of hypotonic bladder. The magnetic resonance imaging results suggested a radiation-induced injury. Conclusion: Such an unusual presentation of the syndrome of postirradiation lumbosacral radiculopathy can impose a clinical challenge to practicing clinicians. Future studies are required to further delineate the mechanism of injury and further management plans. © 2011 Raheem and Hickey; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.