文档介绍：Cutaneous Radiation Injury (CRI)
Injury to the skin and underlying tissues from acute exposure to a large external dose of radiation is referred to
as cutaneous radiation injury (CRI). Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) 1 will usually be panied by some
skin damage; however, CRI can occur without symptoms of ARS. This is especially true with acute exposures
to beta radiation or low-energy x-rays, because beta radiation and low-energy x-rays are less rating and
less likely to damage ans than gamma radiation is. CRI can occur with radiation doses as low as 2
Gray (Gy) or 200 rads 2 and the severity of CRI symptoms will increase with increasing doses. Most cases of
CRI have occurred when people inadvertently came in contact with unsecured radiation sources from food
irradiators, radiotherapy equipment, or well depth gauges. In addition, cases of CRI have occurred in people
who were overexposed to x-radiation from fluoroscopy units.
Early signs and symptoms of CRI are itching, tingling, or a transient erythema or edema without a history of
exposure to heat or caustic chemicals. Exposure to radiation can damage the basal cell layer of the skin and
result in inflammation, erythema, and dry or moist desquamation. In addition, radiation damage to hair follicles
can cause epilation. Transient and inconsistent erythema (associated with itching) can occur within a few hours
of exposure and be followed by a latent, symptom-free phase lasting from a few days to several weeks. After
the latent phase, intense reddening, blistering, and ulceration of the irradiated site are visible. Depending on the
radiation dose, a third and even fourth wave of erythema are possible over the ensuing months or possibly years.
In most cases, healing occurs by regenerative means; however, large radiation doses to the skin can cause
permanent hair loss, damaged sebaceous and sweat glands, atrophy, fibrosis, decreased or increased skin
pigmentation, and ulceration or n