A Clinical Report of Radiation Injury of the Palm

• Published in: RADIOISOTOPES Vol. 44; no. 7; pp. 440 - 445
• Main Authors: NAKAGAWA, Keiichi, KOZUKA, Takuyou, AOKI, Yukimasa, SAKATA, Kouichi, TAGO, Masao, MUTA, Nobuharu, SASAKI, Yasuhito, AOKI, Yoshiro, AKANUMA, Atsuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese; English
• Published: Japan Radioisotope Association 1995
• Subjects: argatroban; chronic injury; palm; radiation injury; X-ray analyzer
• ISSN: 0033-8303; 1884-4111
• DOI: 10.3769/radioisotopes.44.7_440

A case of 36-year-old male that encountered radiation accident in the right palm while repairing an X-ray analyzer is reported. He is licensed for X-ray handling. On the 28th of April, he received an X-ray of 50 kV, 200 mA with a suspected dose of 100-200 Gy to the right palm and fingers during the checking of the machine. Ten days after the exposure, gradually progressing white edema appeared on the exposed part of right palm. He came to our outclinic on the 16th of May, when the part showed white and edematous skin elevation 6×3 cm in size surrounded by redish, erupted margin of 1 cm in width. All the right finger tips became dark red. Steroid and anti-thrombosis agent (argatroban) as well as antibiotics (PIPC 2g+CMT 2g) were daily and intravenously administrated. Beraprost sodium tablets and various ointments including steroid and tissue activation agent were also given. At the end of May when the edematous skin was removed, red granulation tissue appeared. At the end of June, it was covered by the normally looking skin. Angiography and thermography performed during the treatment period revealed no abnormal findings. He discharged at the end of June, and the skin condition looked favorable at the time of subsequent out-clinic follow-ups. He will be under our careful observation including angiography and thermography. In this report, clinical course and treatment for acute reaction are focused.