Military use of nasopharyngeal irradiation with radium during World War II

Abstract

Published reports of the military use of nasopharyngeal irradiation during World War II include treatment of U.S. aviators in England, the aerotitis control program of the Army Air Forces, treatment of Navy submarine trainees at New London, Connecticut, and other miscellaneous reports. In England, Army aviators developed hyperplastic lymphoid tissue in the nasopharynx. Radon applicators were used to treat 220 Army aviators from 1942 to 1944. The radium applicator provided a much more stable applicator and allowed much shorter exposure times, making it suitable for field use. From 1944 to 1945 the Army Air Forces had an aerotitis control program that was developed on the recommendations of an expert panel convened by the air surgeon. Nasopharyngeal radium was used to treat 6881 aviators. Hyperplastic lymphoid tissue was also a problem in submarine escape training at New London. Reports indicate that 732 Navy submariners were treated with nasopharyngeal radium. Other documented military use included 60 Navy aviators by Northington and 277 aviators in the Pacific theater. The total number of U.S. military personnel treated in World War II is 8170. After the war, there were no indications that the Army or Air Force continued to use nasopharyngeal radium, but it was used by the Navy at New London for some time. Precise numbers treated are unknown, and it is unclear when use of nasopharyngeal radium irradiation was stopped. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1996;115:391-4.)