Burn injuries from radiation

Accidental exposure to radiation leading to injury and illness occurs notwithstanding safety devices and protocols used for protection. The medical management of radiation casualties is a major concern. Radiation effects are principally thermal, similar to electrical burn injuries, but with some unique systemic expression. The pathological effects of radiation to the skin are known; it is often difficult to assess the level of severity, quickly and with accuracy, because of the delay between exposure and the appearance of lesions and obscured lesions. The severity depends mainly on the nature of the radiation.High-energy penetrating radiation causes more irreversible damage than low-energy radiation, which penetrates tissues less than the former. A thorough knowledge, high index of suspicion, and a team approach are keys to successful management.