A patient receiving cranial radiation therapy may develop the somnolence syndrome (SS). This can cause the patient and family some anxiety but is usually transient.
Synonym: hypersomnolence
Patient selection: status post cranial irradiation
The syndrome is more often seen in pediatric patients, especially children with ALL. It can also be seen in patients with primary brain tumors.
The onset is soon after the radiation therapy and it tends to be transient, lasting several months.
Symptoms:
(1) drowsiness
(2) excessive sleep
(3) lethargy
(4) fatigue
(5) variable nausea
(6) variable anorexia
(7) variable mild cognitive impairment
Some of the symptoms may be related to inflammation. Administration of corticosteroids may reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms.
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