Effects of radiation therapy on growing long bones.
Characteristic radiographic changes were seen in six of 14 children who received radiation therapy to the epiphyseal plate of a long bone. These changes, which include metaphyseal sclerosis, metaphyseal fraying, and epiphyseal plate widening, resemble rickets. In three patients, these changes were followed by development of a broad metaphyseal band of increased density. The absence of metaphyseal changes may indicate sterilization of cartilage cells and may be predictive of significant limb shortening.
D000293:Adolescent; D001846:Bone Development / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012512:Sarcoma, Ewing / Q000532:radiotherapy*