Cerebral radiation necrosis following treatment of extracranial malignancies.

Nine patients with cerebral radiation necrosis following radiation therapy for extracranial neoplasms were seen at MD Anderson Hospital between 1956 and 1982. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy in one case, by surgical intervention in six cases, and strongly suspected based upon CT scan findings and radiation records in two cases. The world literature is reviewed, and diagnostic criteria using the CT scan and radiation doses presented.