J Korean Radiol Soc.  1983 Mar;19(1):72-77. 10.3348/jkrs.1983.19.1.72.

Radiation pneumonitis

• Kim SH
• Park JH
• Yeon KM
• Park CI

• KMID: 2463204
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1983.19.1.72

Abstract

Radiologic findings of the 29 cases of radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis diagnosed by chest radiography atSeoul National University Hospital were evaluated and compared with clinical symptoms according to the passage oftime after radiation therapy. The resuls were as follows; 1. The first radiographic signs of radiation pneumonitisand fibrosis were observed 7.6 weeks and 19.3 weeks after radiation therapy respectively. Especially in 8 cases ofsmall cell ca., they were found 5.6 weeks and 10.4 weeks, appearing slinghtly earlier than those of 12 cases ofsquamous cell ca. of lung. 2. The appearing time and severity of the radiographic changes of radiation pneumonitisand fibrosis had no specific relationship with field size, tumor dose or time-dose-fractionation factors of thetreatment. 3. The most constant and characteristic radiological finding of radiation pneumonitis was the sharp andstraight margin of the lesion, which was not that of normal anatomical structures of the lung. Other findings werediffuse haziness, indistinct normal pulmonary markings, alveolar and nodular densities, air-bronchograms andindistinctness of heart border. In radiation fibrosis stage, the lesion characteristic and constant finding. Otherfindings were indistinctness of heart border, diaphragmatic tenting and compensatory emphysema.

MeSH Terms

Emphysema
Fibrosis
Heart
Lung
Radiation Pneumonitis*
Radiography
Thorax