Radiation-induced conduction block: resolution following anticoagulant therapy.

Neurophysiologic studies documented proximal conduction blocks in a patient harboring a delayed radiation-induced brachial plexopathy. Since anticoagulants have been reported to be beneficial in radiation-induced neuropathies, the patient was started on acenocumarol. After 3 months of treatment there was significant improvement of clinical deficits, which correlated with resolution of conduction blocks. This observation suggests that ischemic nerve injury leading to disruption of the conduction properties of motor axons contributes to the pathogenesis of delayed radiation-induced peripheral nerve injuries.