Irradiation Effects of Roentgen Therapy on the Growing Spine

Abstract

Clinical course and radiographic and pathological findings in a series of 34 children which underwent radiation therapy are descr. Serious disturbances of bone growth were noticed. The observations indicate that tissue doses of X-rays below 1000 r fail to produce gross permanent deformities of the vertebrae, irrespective of age. Children over 2 yrs. of age may tolerate 1000-2000 r delivered to the spine. Tissue doses in excess of 2000 r will produce growth disturbances of the vertebrae, irrespective of the age of the child.