Radiology Flashcards
What does ionising radiation do?
Turns atoms into ions by knocking away electrons orbiting the nucleus
How much eV does each ionisation deposit?
35eV
What is are the direct effects of radiation on DNA?
Radiation interacts with the atoms of a DNA molecule or another important part of the cell
What are the indirect effects of radiation on DNA?
Radiation interacts with water in the cell producing free radicals which cause damage
What is the usual outcome for a single strand DNA damage?
Usually repaired
What is the usual outcome for double strand damage?
Sometimes repaired
May be faulty repair —> leads to mutations that affect cell function
What are the biological effects of radiation dependent on?
Type of radiation
Amount of radiation (dose)
Time over which the dose is recieved
Type of tissue/cell type irradiated
What is tissue radio sensitivity dependent on?
Function of the cells that make up tissues
If the cells are actively dividing (increased division = increased risk)
Which tissues are highly radiosensitive?
Bone marrow
Lymphoid tissue
Gastrointestinal glands
Gonads
Embryonic tissue
What tissues are moderately radiosensitive?
Skin
Vascular endothelium
Lungs
Lens of eye
What tissues are least radiosensitive?
Central nervous system
Bone and cartilage
Connective tissue
What are the three outcomes of DNA mutation?
Mutation repaired = viable cells
Cell death = unviable cells
Cell survives but is mutated = cancer
What is the absorbed dose?
Measurement of the energy deposited by radiation
Measures in Grays (Gy)
What is the equivalent dose?
Absorbed dose x weighting factor
Measured in Sieverts (Sv)
What is the equivalent dose of alpha?
20 Sv
What is the equivalent dose of beta, gamma and X-rays?
1 sV
What is the risk of cancer with a dose of 1mSv?
1 in 20,0000
What is the risk of cancer with an intra-oral x-ray?
1 in 10,000,000
What are the determinstic effects of radiation?
Tissue reactions (decreased bone marrow cells, cataract, sterility, hair loss)
Occur over certain (threshold) dose
Severity of effect related to dose
What are the stochastic effects of radiation?
The probability of occurence is related to dose received
Somatic: results in disease or disorder
Genetic: abnormalies in descendent
What are the effects of radiation during pregnancy?
Lethal potential with doses 100mGy before or immediately after after implantation of the embryo into uterine wall
During organogenesis >250mGy dose leads to growth retardation
What is the cancer risk in utero?
1 in 13,500 per 1mGy exposure
What is the effective dose of an intra-oral radiograph?
0.005mSv
What is the staff dose limit for body, skin and eyes?
Body: 20mSv
Skin/extremities: 500mSv
Eye: 20mSv