[Necrosis of the optic tract, hypothalamus and brain stem after irradiation of a pituitary adenoma with conventional doses].

A 56-year-old man had radiation necrosis of the optic pathways, hypothalamus and brainstem following irradiation of a pituitary adenoma at a conventional dose. Factors which predispose to this complication are discussed. Vascular risk factors appear to facilitate radiation induced necrosis, and a reduction of doses is suggested in these cases.