Radiation-induced cerebral vasculopathy in children with neurofibromatosisand optic pathway glioma

Occlusive vasculopathy is a potential complication of radiotherapy in child ren with optic pathway glioma. With a median follow-up of 7 years, 13 of 69 children in this study developed clinical and radiological signs of occlus ive vasculopathy after radiotherapy within a median interval of 36 months. The major risk factor was neurofibromatosis type 1. Radiotherapy should no longer be the first treatment in these settings. When radiotherapy is unavo idable, regular screening for cerebral vasculopathy is mandatory, as preven tive treatment is available.