Abstract
Radiological emergencies present unique challenges to the public health care system and carry the potential for major disruptions to clinical care. This review aims to present, first a brief guide of the main clinical and laboratory diagnostic tools for the assessment of the absorbed dose in cases of radiological emergencies and second, the best treatment options for acute whole body and local radiation syndromes. Clinical and laboratory state-of-the-art biodosimetry tools, therapies for acute radiation syndromes according to the severity of the radiation sickness, and isotope-specific preparedness medications as counter-measures for internal contamination are herein proposed as the necessary stockpile of public hospitals against severe radiological accidents.
Highlights
The public exposure to ionizing radiation poses a tremendous and complex challenge to the health system [1], due to the degree of hospital preparedness, the availability of special resources and the technical skills from the involved personnel required to confront this kind of emergency [2]
Among the requirements to cope with radiation emergencies, public hospitals need high-end diagnostic tools and treatment options
Acute radiation sickness (ARSI) is manifested with various clinical syndromes called acute radiation syndromes (ARS); their severity is dose related, as follows [27]: Haemopoietic syndrome, in doses more than 2-6 Gy, gastrointestinal syndrome, in doses more than 6-8 Gy and neurological syndrome, in doses more than 12-15 Gy
Summary
The public exposure to ionizing radiation poses a tremendous and complex challenge to the health system [1], due to the degree of hospital preparedness, the availability of special resources and the technical skills from the involved personnel required to confront this kind of emergency [2]. Among the requirements to cope with radiation emergencies, public hospitals need high-end diagnostic tools and treatment options. Both these items will be described beneath, according to the data of relevant bibliography and the long occupational experience of the authors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
