title: Acute and chronic radiation injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although all areas of the body are susceptible to radiation injury, different tissues have varying tolerances for radiation exposure. The goal of this summary is to introduce basic concepts of radiation biology and discuss the effects of radiation on various tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reference texts and literature were reviewed to summarize key points in radiation biology and the direct and indirect cell damage caused by radiation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most prevalent factor for injury is long exposure time, which can be an issue in lengthy peripheral vascular or aortic interventions. Several key maneuvers can help decrease exposure for both the patient and the physician.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiation induces tissue injury at the cellular level. The use of good fluoroscopic technique is imperative for physician and patient protection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery at The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. krbrown@mcw.edu
authors.forename: Kellie R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rzucidlo
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000528:radiation effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000528:radiation effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D011853:Radiobiology; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species