J Korean Radiol Soc.  1981 Sep;17(2):181-186. 10.3348/jkrs.1981.17.2.181.

An expermental study of radiation pneumonitis

• Kim IO
• Choi BI
• Kim CW

• KMID: 2463391
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1981.17.2.181

Abstract

The study was undertaken to evaluate the radiological and microscopic findings of radiation pneumonitis. All 50 rats, which were used for the experiment, received a single dose of 2,000 rads of radiation on right lung using 60 Co teletherapy. Chest teleroentgenograms were checked weekly for 13 weeks and microscopic examination of irradiated lung were performed monthly after irradiation. The resuls obtained are summerized as follows. 1. Inroentgenologic examination, radiation pneumonitis began to appear 4 weeks after irradiation and progressed withtime intervals and began to resolve after 11 weeks. 2. Chest roentgenologic findings were pneumonic consolidation,atelectasis, and pleural effusion of irradiated right lung with compensatory hyper-inflation of left lung. 3. Inthe microscopic examination, pneumonitis appeared 2 weeks after irradiation and progressed with time intervals andbegan to resolve after 8 weeks. 4. The microscopic findings were fibrin deposit in alveoli and increased septalcellularity, vascular thickening, edema and congestion. After septal fibrosis and hyperplasia of bronchialmucosa, suggseting early regenerative change of radiation fibrosis, were noted 12 weeks after irradiation.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Edema
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
Fibrin
Fibrosis
Hyperplasia
Lung
Pleural Effusion
Pneumonia
Radiation Pneumonitis*
Rats
Thorax
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
Fibrin