An Experimental Study on the Change of Bone Mineral Metabolism After Irradiation

방사선 조사후 골무기질 함량의 변화에 관한 실험적 연구

Irradiation is widely used for the treatment of malignant diseases, and possibly cause the osteoporosis. The densitometry and bone scintigraphy are valuable when used to monitor the patients longitudinally to access the progression of osteoporosis and risk of osteoradionecrosis. To evaluate the osteoporosis after irradiation of Cobalt-60 gamma ray on the lumbar spines of New Zealand white rabbits, bone densitometry by dual photon absorptiometry and bone scintigraphy were performed weekly. The decrease of bone density began at the first week after irradiation, and were in the nadir at 4-6th week. The osteoblastic activity measured by bone scintigraphy decreased in the first week, and was in the nadir at 4-6th week. The severity of these changes were related to the radiation dose. In conclusion, the osteoporosis before the presentation of the osteoradionecrosis can be diagnosed early with the dual photon absorptionmetry and bone scintigraphy.