Sciatic nerve injury after contact with a radioactive metal piece containing iridium-192 isotope

Abstract

Gamma ray sources containing the iridium-192 isotope are widely used for industrial radiologic imaging. Irradiation causes biological damages and tissue injuries by the interaction of molecules in the body. The injury is correlated with the amount of energy absorbed. Peripheral nerves are more resistant to radiation injuries than other tissues because of their protected positions, low metabolic rates and low reproductive capabilities. We present here a 17-year-old male who had sciatic nerve denervation after handling a radioactive metal piece containing iridium-192 isotope that dropped accidentally from an industrial radiography machine. Although there are previous case reports of radiation injury after handling gamma ray projector inadvertently, this is the first case with sciatic nerve injury.