Radiodermatitis afer heart catheterization

INCREASING INCIDENCE: The development of new interventional techniques in radiology, particularly angioplasty of the coronary arteries, has lead to a rise in the incidence of radioderimitis. Clinical presentations vary from skin rash to necrosis and chronic ulceration. Telangiectasic atrophy and poikilodermitis are also observed. CASE REPORTS IN THE LITERATURE: Twenty-three cases of radiodermitis after cardiac catheterism have been reported in the literature. Mean delay to onset after the first radiology examination varies from 15 days to 10 years. TO REDUCE THE RISK: The main risk factor is a long duration of scopy using the same incidence. Use of older non-digitalized radiology machines also increases the risk. Physicians performing endovascular procedures should be aware of the risk of radiodermitis after angioplasy and implement radioprotective measures. RETROSPECTIVE DIAGNOSIS: Patients who develop localized pigmentation disorders and/or telangiectasies should be questioned concerning prior, often forgotten, radiology examinations.