Thorotrast and the liver--revisited.
BACKGROUND
Thorotrast, a radiological contrast medium that was widely used from 1928-1955 is a thorium dioxide colloid that has been neutralized and stabilized by colloid, composed of dextran. The major site of deposition is the reticuloendothelial system where it is retained for a long time.


METHODS
Complications occurring late after exposure to thorotrast are described in two patients.


RESULTS
One patient had angiosarcoma of liver metastatic to bone and bone marrow failure after a 43 year latency period. The other patient had a thorotrast granuloma and angiosarcoma of the liver after 22 year and 28 year latency periods respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Complications due to thorotrast appear to represent consequences of chronic alpha irradiation.
Srinivasan
R
R
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo 79106-1797, USA.
Dean
H A
HA
D000368:Aged; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D002273:Carcinogens; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013911:Thorium Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*
D002273:Carcinogens; D003287:Contrast Media; D013911:Thorium Dioxide