Scholarlink

Purpose <p>Radiotherapy is a frequently employed adjuvant treatment modality in breast cancer patients that carries debilitating side effects including radiation-induced brachial plexus neuritis (RIBPN). RIBPN is a neurological impairment that occurs following radiation exposure and causes pain, paresthesia, and weakness. The goal of this study is to review literature on surgical treatments for RIBPN and explore areas for further investigation.</p> Methods <p>A comprehensive search of PubMed, SCOPUS and Embase databases was conducted using search terms related to RIBPN. The authors reviewed the titles, abstracts, and full texts to identify those that discussed surgical management of RIBPN in breast cancer patients. Out of 306 studies, 9 articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed (Fig.&#xa0;1).</p> Findings <p>41 patients were treated surgically for RIBPN, with six distinct surgical techniques employed. External neurolysis was the most common treatment, benefiting 81.8% of patients with improvements in pain, although some patients experienced worsening motor strength. Techniques like segmental nerve resection with autografting and cervical thoracic laminectomy significantly enhanced pain and motor function. Other techniques including neurolysis with nerve transfer and gracilis-free muscle transfer provided varying degrees of recovery and pain relief.</p> Conclusion <p>Our review highlights that while neurolysis, whether alone or combined with nerve transfer, free muscle transfer, or omentoplasty, and other methods including nerve grafting or dorsal root lesions offer surgical&#xa0;treatment options for RIBPN, these modalities are not well studied. Further investigation into the efficacy of these options and alternative surgical treatments may be warranted to improve outcomes among breast cancer patients.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Surgical Treatment of Radiation-Induced Brachial Plexus Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients after Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月8日

查看全文
  • Carin Carroll,
  • Anshumi Desai,
  • Shelby Burks,
  • Nathan Carberry,
  • Kyle Xu,
  • Kashyap Komarraju Tadisina

摘要

Purpose

Radiotherapy is a frequently employed adjuvant treatment modality in breast cancer patients that carries debilitating side effects including radiation-induced brachial plexus neuritis (RIBPN). RIBPN is a neurological impairment that occurs following radiation exposure and causes pain, paresthesia, and weakness. The goal of this study is to review literature on surgical treatments for RIBPN and explore areas for further investigation.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, SCOPUS and Embase databases was conducted using search terms related to RIBPN. The authors reviewed the titles, abstracts, and full texts to identify those that discussed surgical management of RIBPN in breast cancer patients. Out of 306 studies, 9 articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed (Fig. 1).

Findings

41 patients were treated surgically for RIBPN, with six distinct surgical techniques employed. External neurolysis was the most common treatment, benefiting 81.8% of patients with improvements in pain, although some patients experienced worsening motor strength. Techniques like segmental nerve resection with autografting and cervical thoracic laminectomy significantly enhanced pain and motor function. Other techniques including neurolysis with nerve transfer and gracilis-free muscle transfer provided varying degrees of recovery and pain relief.

Conclusion

Our review highlights that while neurolysis, whether alone or combined with nerve transfer, free muscle transfer, or omentoplasty, and other methods including nerve grafting or dorsal root lesions offer surgical treatment options for RIBPN, these modalities are not well studied. Further investigation into the efficacy of these options and alternative surgical treatments may be warranted to improve outcomes among breast cancer patients.