Effects of Fractionated Irradiation on the Esophageal Mucosa: A Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopic Study

Authors

M. Albertsson, University Hospital
C-H Hakansson, University Hospital
C. Mercke, University Hospital
H. Morner, University Hospital

Abstract

The mucosa of rabbit esophagus was irradiated with daily fractions of 2 Gy to an accumulated dose of 20 Gy. Specimens were taken for scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy investigations. Examination was made 1-10 days after each fractionation schedule. Light microscopy showed dose-dependent edema of the irradiated mucosa which also could be seen and scored from SEM pictures. SEM investigations showed that this was accompanied by loosening of microridges and a slightly increased cell loss. By SEM, a varying amount of bacteria could be seen which did not make intimate contact with the surface cells.

During the first five days there was a steady decrease of the number of bacteria in relation to the absorbed dose. In the later period of examination, the amount of bacteria increased up to a given dose of 10 Gy. Thereafter, the number faded off to about zero when 20 Gy had been administered.

Recommended Citation

Albertsson, M.; Hakansson, C-H; Mercke, C.; and Morner, H. (1987) "Effects of Fractionated Irradiation on the Esophageal Mucosa: A Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopic Study," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 1: No. 4, Article 32.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol1/iss4/32