Early delayed radiation injury to the brainstem after radiotherapy for lymphoma of the tongue and neck.

We describe a case of severe early delayed radiation injury to the brainstem after curative radiotherapy using a standard therapeutic irradiation regimen for lymphoma of the base of the tongue with cervical lymphadenopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a lesion in the brainstem corresponding to an area of neural tissue coincidentally irradiated. A literature review of this rare complication is presented.