Radiation induced gastroparesis—case report and literature review

Radiation induced gastroparesis as well as the other autonomic nervous system radiation induced neuropathies are poorly described in the literature. A case of gastroparesis associated with phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerves paralysis was observed in a 69-year old patient. She was already treated two times by rachis radiotherapy in a context of breast cancer with bone metastases. Anatomical and chronological correlation of lesions, concomitant nerve damage in the radiation fields and elimination of the main differential diagnoses allowed us to link this case of gastroparesis with the background of radiotherapy. It confirms the role of vagus nerve lesion in radiation induced gastroparesis. This specific diagnosis led to a successful treatment and a quality of life improvement.