Lecture 16: Acute Effects of Radiation Exposure PDF
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Uploaded by ClearModernism
Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
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Summary
This document discusses the acute effects of radiation exposure on the skin and gonads, and the subsequent medical treatments. It outlines the symptoms, like radiation burns and sterility, and different treatment methods. The document also covers details about bone marrow transplant, and other related topics for handling radiation exposure.
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Other Acute Effects: a) Skin: It is subject to radiation exposure more than any other tissue. It is specially sensitive to low energy x-rays and beta rays (where maximum energy is deposited in the surface, i.e. skin, e.g. diagnostic x- rays). An exposure of 77mC/kg (300 R [Roentgen], ~300 rad,...
Other Acute Effects: a) Skin: It is subject to radiation exposure more than any other tissue. It is specially sensitive to low energy x-rays and beta rays (where maximum energy is deposited in the surface, i.e. skin, e.g. diagnostic x- rays). An exposure of 77mC/kg (300 R [Roentgen], ~300 rad, or 3Gy), of diagnostic x-rays results in erythema (skin becomes red in color). Higher doses may cause: Changes in Depilation Blistering (local swelling of the skin that Pigmentation (hair loss) contains watery fluid) Necrosis (cell death) Ulcerations Radiation burns b) Gonads (testes & Ovaries): They are highly radiosensitive. 300 mGy Temporary sterility among men. (low dose) 3 Gy Temporary sterility among women (no menstruation). Higher doses increase the period of sterility. 4.4 Gy Several years of temporary sterility in a man. Treatment of acute exposure: 1- Treatment is directed towards the alleviation (making it easy to bear) of symptoms. 2- Leucopoenia (depression of white blood cells): This symptom affect the immune system. The patient is treated with antibodies and kept in an aseptic environment (sterile) in order to prevent infection. 3- Thrombocytopenia 4- Anaemia (decrease (low platelets count). in red blood cells): Results in haemorrhage Results in decrease in because blood clotting haemoglobin. is affected. Treatment Blood Transfusion 5) Severe bone marrow depression: Treatment Bone marrow Using human granulocyte transplant macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM- CSF) Stimulates bone marrow to produce granulocytes after severe depression of red marrow activity. 6) Vomiting and diarrhoea: Electrolytes are a vital part of normal body function. Electrolytes are essential minerals; like sodium, calcium, and potassium. The Dehydration Electrolyte imbalance electrolytes help maintain electrical neutrality in cells. Likewise, they help to Treatment generate and conduct action potentials in the body’s nerves and muscles. Risk for Electrolyte Imbalance Fluids and electrolytes are 1. Cardiac abnormalities. given through diet or 2. Respiratory failure. intravenous infusion 3. Discomfort (i.e. muscles cramps/abdominal cramping). 7) Skin Symptoms: Treatment Antiseptics Skin lesions may Topical analgesics Antibiotics be treated surgically Hands and Feet Usually, they are The arterioles (very small blood vessels) that severely over-exposed supply the extremities may continue to compensate for and build up damaged arterioles until the entire lumen of the arteriole is solidly filled (overcompensation). Gangrene (decay of parts of body) Blood supply to tissue is cut-off. Affected parts of hand or feet must be amputated Effectiveness of Medical Treatment: Dose < 10 Gy (range of Dose > 10 Gy (range Haemopoetic syndrome) of Gastrointestinal syndrome) Medical treatment is There is no effective usually successful medical treatment that may prevent death
