The incidence of radiation pneumonitis as a result of single fraction upper half body irradiation.

The incidence of radiation pneumonitis was determined in 43 patients following a single fraction half body (UHB) irradiation. Radiographs taken before and at least 4 months after UHB treatment were scored for evidence of pneumonitis. Nine patients received only pulmonary irradiation from the UHB treatment. There was no evidence of radiation pneumonitis in eight for whom there was adequate follow up. From this and other supportive evidence presented in this retrospective study, it is suggested that a total lung irradiation of 800 rads produces no changes that can be seen radiographically, provided there has been no previous major pulmonary irradiation or concurrent malignant pulmonary disease. In patients who received additional mediastinal irradiation, severe changes appeared within this field while mild to moderate radiographic changes were seen outside the mediastinal field.