Hypovolemic shock after pelvic radiotherapy. A rare combination leading to a devastating complication
Antonio Giuliani 1, Federica Romanzi 2, Alessandra Sibio 3, Giuseppe Calvisi 4, Loreto Lombardi 5, Michele Marchese 5, Mario Di Staso 6, Mario Schietroma 1, Francesco Carlei 1, Lucia Romano 1
Affiliations
Article Info
1 Department of General Surgery. Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
3 Department of Radiology, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
4 U.O.C. Anatomia Patologica, ASL1 Abruzzo, “San Salvatore” Hospital, L’Aquila, Italy
5 Surgical Endoscopy Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, L’Aquila, Italy
6 Radiotherapy, San Salvatore Hospital, L’Aquila, Italy
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy currently plays a key role in pelvic malignancies’ management. Excellent outcomes have been reported on its association with chemotherapy for the treatment of the anal carcinoma. Despite that, the combined use of chemo- and radiotherapy and the high doses administered seem to be strongly associated with early and late onset side effects. METHODS: We reported a case of a 72 years old woman, affected by anal squamous cell carcinoma. She underwent chemotherapy, and then radiotherapy, with good results. RESULTS: During a regular MR control, the patient developed anaphylactic reaction to Gadolinium, and after that a rectosigmoid ischemia with total necrosis of the posterior rectal wall was diagnosed and surgically treated with Hartmann procedure. CONCLUSION: In our case we faced with the rapid and severe degeneration of pelvic anatomy determined by the sum of vascular alterations following hypovolemic shock and pelvic tissues alteration after radiotherapy. It seems essential not to underestimate the exponential outcome of a similar unusual combination of events.
Keywords
- Anal carcinoma
- Hypovolemic shock
- Pelvic radiotherapy
- Rectal necrosis
