Postradiation atrophy of mature bone

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · CRC Crit. Rev. Diagn. Imaging; (United States)

OSTI ID:5949679

Erguen, H; Howland, W J

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 detecting 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: 5949679
• Journal Information: CRC Crit. Rev. Diagn. Imaging; (United States), Journal Name: CRC Crit. Rev. Diagn. Imaging; (United States) Vol. 12:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ATROPHY
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
DELAYED RADIATION EFFECTS
DISEASES
INJURIES
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
PHYSIOLOGY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RADIOTHERAPY
SIDE EFFECTS
SKELETAL DISEASES
SKELETON
THERAPY