Postradiation atrophy of mature bone
The growing number of oncological patients subjected to radiotherapy require the diagnostic radiologist to be aware of expected bone changes following irradiation and the differentiation of this entity from metastasis. The primary event of radiation damage to bone is atrophy and true necrosis of bone is uncommon. The postradiation atrophic changes of bone are the result of combined cellular and vascular damage, the former being more important. The damage to the osteoblast resulting in decreased matrix production is apparently the primary histopathologic event. Radiation damaged bone is susceptible to superimposed complications of fracture, infection, necrosis, and sarcoma. The primary radiographic evidence of atrophy, localized osteopenia, is late in appearing, mainly because of the relative insensitivity of radiographs in detecing demineralization. Contrary to former views, the mature bone is quite radiosensitive and reacts quickly to even small doses of radiation. In vivo midrodensitometric analysis and radionuclide bone and bone marrow scans can reveal early changes following irradiation. The differentiation of postirradiation atrophy and metastasis may be difficult. Biopsy should be the last resort because of the possibility of causing true necrosis in atrophic bone by trauma and infection.
- Research Organization:
- Aultman Hospital, Canton, OH
- OSTI ID:
- 5295517
- Journal Information:
- CRC Crit. Rev. Diagn. Imaging; (United States), Vol. 12:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Postradiation atrophy of mature bone
Postradiation atrophy of mature bone
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BONE TISSUES
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOTHERAPY
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ATROPHY
BONE FRACTURES
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OSTEORADIONECROSIS
OSTEOSARCOMAS
PATIENTS
RADIOINDUCTION
ANIMAL TISSUES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
DISEASES
INJURIES
LOCAL RADIATION EFFECTS
MEDICINE
NECROSIS
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOLOGY
SARCOMAS
SKELETAL DISEASES
THERAPY
TISSUES
560151* - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man