Roentgenographic changes in the lungs and vertebrae following intense rotation roentgen therapy of esophageal cancer

Acute radiation pneumonitis lacks any single pathognomonic morphologic feature, but is a diagnosis made from a combination of alveolar septal thickening, proliferation and desquamation of atypical septal cells, hyaline membrane formation, and pulmonary vascular changes. The pathogenesis of radiation pneumonitis is poorly understood. Total radiation dosage, total volume irradiated, and duration of therapy are significant factors but cannot explain all cases. Seven autopsied cases of bilateral radiation pneumonitis following megavoltage therapy for lung carcinoma are reported and analyzed. The use of extensive fields, or of rotational technique, necessitated irradiation of a large volume of lung tissue. The inaccuracy of calculated dosimetry, coupled with possible errors in port placement can result in much higher bilateral radiation doses than anticipated. Infection, by increasing absorption of radiation, probably causes an increased susceptibility to radiation pneumonitis. While the relatively small doses of radiation reaching the contralateral lung are usually innocuous, certain patients are hyperreactive and respond with a severe diffuse radiation pneumonitis.

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Iatrogene und exogen bedingte Lungenerkrankungen

Haubitz¹,

Diller²,

Gregl³

et al. 1989

Handbuch Der Medizinischen Radiologie / Encyclopedia of Medical Radiology

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Roentgenographic changes in the lungs and vertebrae following intense rotation roentgen therapy of esophageal cancer

Cited by 10 publications

References 4 publications

Tumors of the Nose and Throat Summaries of the Bibliographic Material Available for 1956-1957

Tumors of the Nose and Throat Summaries of the Bibliographic Material Available for 1956-1957

Bilateral radiation pneumonitis, a complication of the radiotherapy of bronchogenic carcinoma (report and analysis of seven cases with autopsy)

Iatrogene und exogen bedingte Lungenerkrankungen

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