Proc. 7th Congr. europ. Soc. Haemat., London 1959; part II, pp. 458-467 (1960).
145
Mitotic Activity and Cytology
of Human Bone Marrowafter Accidental Exposure
to fonizing Radiation
T. M, FLiepNER, E. P. CRONKITE, V. P. Bonp and G. ANDREWs*
Czerny-Krankenhaus for Radiation-Therapy of the University of Heidelberg, Germany;
Medical Research Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, L.1.,N.Y.
Medical Division, Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies, Oak Ridge, Tenn., U.S.A.
Early detection and quantitative evaluation of the degree of radiation induced damage to the hemopoietic tissue in man is important for therapeutic and
prognostic considerations after accidental exposure to ionizing radiation. Recent
radiation accidents have indicated that the numberof circulating blood cells are
not in themselves adequate to allow satisfactory prediction of the probable clinical
course soon after exposure. Lymphocytes fell rapidly even after relatively low
radiation doses. The number of neutrophils, red cells, and platelets remain within
normallimits or even increase duringthefirst 2 to 3 days after exposure}.
More definite and direct criteria of radiation exposure are necessary which
might serve as biologic dosimeters and aid in a better assessment of the clinical
situation. The accident in Oak Ridge in 1958! presented an opportunity to study
radiation induced bone marrow damage. The purpose of this paper is to describe
some of the abnormalities seen in the interphase cells and mitotic figures, particularly at 12 and 44 hours after the accident.
*Work in part supported by the United States Atomic Energy Commission.