title: Effects of ionizing radiation on human conjunctival epithelial cells: a clinical and cytologic study.
abstract: In order to identify early and late modifications induced by ionizing radiation on the conjunctival surface, we studied 10 patients irradiated for paranasal sinus tumors. A clinical and morphological study of conjunctival epithelium (using an impression cytology technique) was performed; 5 patients were examined during and the others after treatment. Actinic conjunctivitis and keratitis, observed during treatment, reappeared within a few months after the end of radiotherapy. At a threshold dose of 25 Gy, chronic nuclear changes and cellular surface disorganization of the conjunctival epithelium were found--these progressed and persisted. Our data support the importance of careful monitoring of such irradiated patients and the benefit of planning a prospective clinical study to evaluate the effects of available drugs (all-trans retinoic acid) in the treatment of these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Midena
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Segato
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Blarzino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002648:Child; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*