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Review
. 2011 Jul 16;16(4):131-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.rpor.2011.06.003.

Biodosimetry and assessment of radiation dose

Rafael Herranz Crespo  1 , Mercedes Moreno Domene  2 , María Jesús Prieto Rodríguez  2
Affiliations
Review

Biodosimetry and assessment of radiation dose

Rafael Herranz Crespo et al. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. .

Abstract

Aim: When investigating radiation accidents, it is very important to determine the exposition dose to the individuals. In the case of exposures over 1 Gy, clinicians may expect deterministic effects arising the following weeks and months, in these cases dose estimation will help physicians in the planning of therapy. Nevertheless, for doses below 1 Gy, biodosimetry data are important due to the risk of developing late stochastic effects. Finally, some accidental overexposures are lack of physical measurements and the only way of quantifying dose is by biological dosimetry.

Background: The analysis of chromosomal aberrations by different techniques is the most developed method of quantifying dose to individuals exposed to ionising radiations.(1,2) Furthermore, the analysis of dicentric chromosomes observed in metaphases from peripheral lymphocytes is the routine technique used in case of acute exposures to assess radiation doses.

Materials and methods: Solid stain of chromosomes is used to determine dicentric yields for dose estimation. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for translocations analysis is used when delayed sampling or suspected chronically irradiation dose assessment. Recommendations in technical considerations are based mainly in the IAEA Technical Report No. 405.(2.)

Results: Experience in biological dosimetry at Gregorio Marañón General Hospital is described, including own calibration curves used for dose estimation, background studies and real cases of overexposition.

Conclusion: Dose assessment by biological dosimeters requires a large previous standardization work and a continuous update. Individual dose assessment involves high qualification professionals and its long time consuming, therefore requires specific Centres. For large mass casualties cooperation among specialized Institutions is needed.

Keywords: Biodosimetry; Dicentrics; FISH; Translocations.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
microscope photography (×1000) of two metaphases stained by FPG technique. (A) Second metaphase after 48 h of BrDU culture initiation. (B) First metaphase after 48 h of BrDU culture initiation, showing a dicentric and an acentric fragment.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Fluorescence microscopy (×1000) triple filter, FISH technique performed in our laboratory, red painted chromosomes 1 and 2 and a green pancentromeric probe. (A) Normal metaphase. (B) Metaphase with a reciprocal translocation.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Graphical representation of a gamma-rays dicentric calibration curve.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
graphical representation of all translocations in all cells calibration curves obtained by FISH technique, for X and gamma rays.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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