Cutaneous radiation syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis and therapy

Abstract

Accidental exposure to ionizing radiation may occur during such catastrophic events as the Chernobyl accident in 1986 or over days to weeks as in Goiania in 1987 and in the military camp during the training of soldiers in Lilo/Georgia in 1997, as well as in medical institutions. The cutaneous symptoms after radiation exposure are based on a combination of inflammatory processes and alteration of cellular proliferation as a result of a specific pattern of transcriptionally activated proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors. They follow a time course consisting of prodromal erythema, latency period, acute stage, chronic stage and late stage. The entire complex is referred to as cutaneous radiation syndrome. The time course depends on several factors such as the radiation dose, radiation quality, individual radiation sensitivity, the extent of contamination and absorption and amount of skin exposed. For the diagnosis of the cutaneous radiation syndrome the following procedures are used: 7.5 MHz to 20 MHz-B-scan sonography, thermography, capillary microscopy, profilometry, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, bone scintigraphy and histology. Based on the results of experimental and clinical research, today treatment may include topical or systemic corticosteroids, gamma-interferon, pentoxifylline, vitamin E and superoxide dismutase. The treatment depends on the stage of the cutaneous radiation syndrome. Due to the complexity of the clinical manifestations of radiation disease, most patients require interdisciplinary treatment in specialized centres. Dermatologists are essential partners in the life-long follow-up and therapy of such patients.