Radiation-Induced Skin Injuries During Interventional Radiography Procedures

The use of interventional radiography has increased tremendously over the last 40 years. With the increased number of interventional procedures, the incidents of radiation-induced skin injuries have also increased. Injuries caused by radiation can result in simple erythema to complex injuries involving blistering and hyperpigmentation of skin. The purpose of this article is to review literature related to radiation dose and skin injury during interventional radiography procedures. The research regarding radiation skin injuries caused by interventional procedures identifies dose limits for specific types of injuries, how those injuries present and the outcome of such injuries. Limited information is available regarding how to best measure radiation dose, but the types of injuries resulting from excessive radiation are consistent. Radiation doses as low as 2 Gy may result in injury, and doses of 18 Gy can result in weeping and sloughing of skin. The best prevention of radiation injury to the patient is to use dose-saving techniques during fluoroscopic examinations, follow appropriate radiation safety practices, and properly train those individuals who operate ionizing radiation equipment. If a radiation injury does occur, it is vital that the health care provider can properly diagnosis the injury and then can use suggested treatment techniques for the injury.