Spinal changes after craniospinal irradiation in pediatric patients

Abstract Background To evaluate long‐term degenerative changes in bone and soft tissue after craniospinal irradiation (CSI). Procedure An analysis was performed for 892 vertebral bodies in 220 pediatric patients treated with CSI. To analyze vertebral growth, vertebral body height was calculated. Signal changes for vertebral bodies on MRI, scoliosis and kyphosis, degenerative changes of vertebral bones and discs, and wedging or vertebral height loss were analyzed on images, and factors that influenced these changes were investigated. Results Vertebral growth was significantly correlated with radiation dose and growth hormone (GH) deficiency. Growth rate was significantly worse at a dose >39 Gy. Fatty marrow change was found in 83% of patients, 31% had disc degenerative changes, 13% had degenerative changes of spinal bones, 17% had wedging or spinal height loss, and 27% had scoliosis. Conclusions Vertebral bone growth was significantly reduced when high doses were administered, and adequate GH replacement was important for bone growth. Even with symmetrical irradiation, the risk of scoliosis is high after CSI. There was also frequent progression of spinal demineralization and degenerative changes after CSI. Therefore, careful attention should be paid to spinal symptoms as pediatric patients grow into adulthood.