Ugeskrift for laeger
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The current clinical and biological knowledge about radiation myelopathy is reviewed. Transient myelopathy with Lhermitte's sign develops within months after irradiation. Symptoms generally disappear within months without treatment. ⋯ There is no effective treatment. Analysis of clinical reports shows that the risk of developing chronic myelopathy is less than 2% after 55 Gy, given in 2 Gy daily fractions. Other important radiobiological risk factors (dose per fraction, interfraction interval and volume) are discussed.