Extensive late skin lesion due to fluoroscopy ionizing radiation exposure: a case report
Extensa lesão cutânea tardia por exposição à radiação ionizante de fluoroscopia: relato de caso

INTRODUCTION

One of the most frequent adverse events of irradiation is skin reactions, occurring in up to 95% of patients. Its evolution depends on both characteristics of the treatment itself and risk factors intrinsic to the patient¹.

The pathogenesis of radiodermatitis involves direct radiation injury and subsequent inflammatory response, affecting cellular elements in the skin. The energy of ionizing radiation produces immediate tissue damage by producing secondary electrons and reactive oxygen species. Each subsequent fraction of radiation generates greater recruitment of inflammatory cells, and the damage to the dermis disrupts the normal skin regeneration^2,3. Thus, radiation-damaged skin has low healing power.

Compared with other fluoroscopically guided interventions, interventional cardiology procedures are associated with high doses of radiation directed to the skin, thus generating overdosing in prolonged fluoroscopies ⁴.

The effects of radiation on the skin can be classified as acute in the first six months and late after this period. Acute effects predominantly occur in tissues with a high level of mitotic activity and usually disappear within four weeks. Late effects, on the other hand, are secondary to radiation-induced vascular impairment and stromal fibrosis. In addition, hyper/hypopigmentation of the skin, fibrosis, telangiectasias and sebaceous and sweat gland dysfunction may occur⁵.

In the present article, we report an atypical case of radiodermatitis, aiming to discuss the approach of irradiated areas and their restoration difficulties as a result of radiation.

CASE REPORT

Caucasian male patient, 61 years old, hypertensive, dyslipidemic, obese, diabetic, hypothyroidism patient and smoker. History of disc herniation, two previous AMI (acute myocardial infarction). Currently in use of AAS, clopidogrel, enalapril, selozok, levothyroxine and atorvastatin. He was admitted to the plastic surgery service of the Hospital Monte Sinai de Juiz de Fora/MG for thoracic reconstruction due to extensive injury to the right thoracic back by fluoroscopic radiation.

Submitted to angioplasty in June 2018, four stents were placed. Then, in August, he noticed the appearance of flushing and heat on the right-back, a topography that was coincident with the fluoroscope of hemodynamic procedures (Figure 1).

Figure 1 - Initial skin lesion on the back 2 months after angioplasty.

Figure 1 - Initial skin lesion on the back 2 months after angioplasty.

In September, he progressed to an ulcerated lesion of yellow-green color, measuring 12x8cm, located in the area of the radioscopy plate for catheterization (Figure 2). Again, there was a progressive increase in size, reaching deep planes.

Figure 2 - Cutaneous and subcutaneous lesion on the back 3 months after angioplasty.

Figure 2 - Cutaneous and subcutaneous lesion on the back 3 months after angioplasty.

Also, in September, a biopsy was performed, which showed dermal fibrosclerosis with reactive fibroblasts, steatonecrosis, tissue necrosis with abscess formation, and absence of malignancy in the cut-off planes examined: alterations compatible with radiotherapy effect.

At this moment, debridement was performed, with primary closure of the lesion, but without success. At the end of September 2018 (Figure 3), he presented extensive necrosis and dehiscence of the scar. The lesion was left open, being oriented daily dressings and healing by second intention.

Figure 3 - Cutaneous and subcutaneous lesion on the back 4 months after angioplasty.

Figure 3 - Cutaneous and subcutaneous lesion on the back 4 months after angioplasty.

On February 26, 2019, showing significant improvement of the wound, he underwent excision of remaining actinic lesions and a new biopsy without complications. The histopathological report showed ulceration, hyper radioactive epidermis with apoptotic bodies, dermis with thick collagen bands, reactive fibroblasts, intense reactivity of the glandular epithelium, absence of malignancy, alterations compatible with the effect of radiotherapy, exceeding the resection margins (radiodermatitis necrosis). Again, healing was instructed by the second intention.

Due to the delay in wound healing, on October 22, 2019, he underwent reconstructive surgery with a detachment of a dermofat flap to cover the lesion (Figure 4). He evolved satisfactorily, being discharged on the third postoperative day (POD) for outpatient follow-up, after total integration of the surgical wound.

Figure 4 - Cutaneous and subcutaneous lesion on the back 1 year and 5 months after angioplasty.

Figure 4 - Cutaneous and subcutaneous lesion on the back 1 year and 5 months after angioplasty.

However, he presented a small dehiscence one month after the operation, showing her high healing deficit. Closing by the second intention was chosen on November 25, 2019 (Figure 5). The wound presented great difficulty in its healing process, with complete epithelialization of the surgical wound being detected only on April 7, 2020 (Figure 6).

Figure 5 - Surgical wound dehiscence on the back after advancement of randomized dermofat.

Figure 5 - Surgical wound dehiscence on the back after advancement of randomized dermofat.

Figure 6 - Operative wound in the process of epithelialization with absence of phlogiston signs.

Figure 6 - Operative wound in the process of epithelialization with absence of phlogiston signs.

DISCUSSION

RCIR are dose-dependent effects of ionizing radiation and usually occur when radiation dose limits are exceeded⁶.

Previous studies indicate that prolonged procedure times, multiple cumulative procedures, total occlusion of the right coronary artery, obesity, hypothyroidism, and diabetes are risk factors for RCIR⁷. In addition, the actual radiation dose required to cause deterministic skin injury is specific to each patient. It may vary widely based on individual biological variation, radiation sensitivity and the presence or absence of certain coexisting conditions^8,9.

To date, there is no strong evidence to support the superiority of any specific preventive or therapeutic intervention in the treatment of RCIR. Therefore, a careful assessment of risk factors related to the development of skin toxicity remains a priority¹⁰.

It is important to highlight the great fragility of the irradiated tissue, which remains even after the apparent epithelialization of the wound from the RCIR. In our case, the patient underwent a small biopsy in a well epithelialized wound, but this traumatic stimulus was sufficient to aggravate a critical area again. Thus, irradiated tissue can remain intact for decades. However, any form of stress or tissue injury can generate a chronic wound exposed to noble structures. The treatment of these wounds usually requires extensive debridement of the necrotic skin, soft tissue, and affected bones, resulting in a complex wound, often with exposure to deep planes.

Because of the long delay in the second intention repair process, we chose to cover it with a dermofat flap, which is in line with what is recommended in the literature. Muscle and dermofat flaps from regions not affected by radiation can be useful for coverage and reconstruction ¹¹. In addition, we believe that making the flap was essential for the proper treatment of this patient, including for their psychological comfort, as they were already undergoing daily dressings for a long time.

In the case presented, the persistence in the evolution of the necrosis of tissues on the back occurred for a long period, even after surgical debridement, with the comorbidities presented by the patient hampering wound healing. Due to the persistence of tissue damage by radiation, our patient evolved to massive tissue loss, which could affect the entire thickness of the chest wall and even have pulmonary involvement or even death.

Thus, the intervention of reconstructive plastic surgery was essential to improve the healing quality of the wound through debridement and flap making. In addition, the continuous follow-up of the patient associated with the clinical control of his comorbidities were fundamental measures for the delimitation and control of the progression of tissue necrosis, which evolved to good healing.

CONCLUSION

Skin lesions from exposure to ionizing radiation are associated with multiple factors. The case shown is related to the type of procedure performed, fluoroscopy, and comorbidities (obesity, diabetes, and thyroid diseases).

Even though all care was taken to restore the integrity of the patient’s chest, we evidenced the perpetuation of the radiation injury, an unusual fact to be observed even after successive surgical approaches.