Radiation

Question 1

What are the oral complication of head and neck radiation?
Acute complication? 1-2 weeks after
Chronic complications?

Answer 1

Acute complications :

Oropharyngeal mucositis
Taste alteration 
Change in salivary composition 
Infection( bacteria , fungal, viral) 
Periodontal pain 
Crusting of lips 

Chronic complications:

1) trismus and fibrosis
2) malnutrition
3) osteo rafionecrosis
4) dental caries
5) xerostomia

Question 2

What is radiation mucositis?

Answer 2

Soft tissue demonstrate erythema
As the radiation increases, the tissue may show 📍varying of desquamation ( peeling) and Frank 📍unlceration.
Result In: pain and dysphagia ( difficulty swallowing)

Mucositis happens due to vasodilation and epithelial thinking