Sciatic nerve injury after contact with a radioactive metal piece containing iridium-192 isotope
- Author:
Murat Alemdar
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Radiation injury;
gamma rays;
sciatic nerve
- From:Neurology Asia
2020;25(1):67-70
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Gamma ray sources containing the iridium-192 isotope are widely used for industrial radiologic imaging.
Irradiation causes biological damages and tissue injuries by the interaction of molecules in the body.
The injury is correlated with the amount of energy absorbed. Peripheral nerves are more resistant to
radiation injuries than other tissues because of their protected positions, low metabolic rates and low
reproductive capabilities. We present here a 17-year-old male who had sciatic nerve denervation after
handling a radioactive metal piece containing iridium-192 isotope that dropped accidentally from an
industrial radiography machine. Although there are previous case reports of radiation injury after
handling gamma ray projector inadvertently, this is the first case with sciatic nerve injury.
- Full text:7.2020my0011.pdf
