OSTEOGENIC SARCOMA IN A LUMINOUS WATCH DIAL PAINTER

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Arch. Surg.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.1963.01310080014004· OSTI ID:4714926

Davis, C Jr; Brown, R G; Alexander, R W

The case history is presented of a 52-year-old female who developed radiation osteitis of multiple bones and an osteogenic sarcoma of the right ilium that proved fatal. The patient had been treated erroneously over a period of years for rheumatoid arthritis involving the shoulder and hip joints. Considerable pain and limitation of motion were experienced in spite of medical therapy. Roentgenograms of the long bones, vertebral bodies, and pelvic bones with destruction of both acetabula demonstrated the characteristic pathological changes resulting from irradiation of bone. The patient was unaware that she had received a harmful dose of radioactivity as a result of her occupation as a watch dial painter 30 years earlier. The paint used on the watch dials consisted of crystalline phosphorescent zinc sulfate, rendered luminous by the addition of extremely small amounts of radium and mesothorium or radiothorium. Ingestion of the paint occurred as the result of the workers' habit of pointing their brushes in their mouths before painting the dials. (H.H.D.)

• Research Organization: Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago; and Univ. of Illinois, Chicago
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-021582
• OSTI ID: 4714926
• Journal Information: Arch. Surg., Journal Name: Arch. Surg. Vol. Vol: 86
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGE
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BONES
CANCER
CARCINOGENESIS
MAN
MEDICINE
OSTEOSARCOMAS
PERSONNEL
RADIUM
RADIUM 226
SEX
THORIUM ISOTOPES
ZINC SULFATES