Medical Management of the Acute Radiation Syndrome
Authors: Rumiko Shimazawa, Masayuki Ikeda
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2011)

Letters19 July 2011Medical Management of the Acute Radiation SyndromeRumiko Shimazawa, PhD and Masayuki Ikeda, MDRumiko Shimazawa, PhDFrom Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan. and Masayuki Ikeda, MDFrom Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-155-2-201107190-00017 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:The nuclear accident at the Fukushima power station in Japan, which reminded us of the nightmare of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, raised serious international concerns about radiation exposure. Stable iodine (for example, potassium iodide) is indicated only as a thyroid-blocking agent to prevent the uptake of radioactive iodine; however, persons living within 1000 miles of Fukushima frantically tried to obtain potassium iodide (1) because they believed that it was a general radioprotective agent and a "magic bullet" in the event of a nuclear accident.Current recommendations from guidelines on potassium iodide therapy derive almost exclusively from observational studies ...References1. Rockoff JD. Potassium iodide runs low as Americans seek it out. Wall Street Journal. 15 March 2011. Accessed at online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703363904576201013720213564.html on 11 May 2011. Google Scholar2. Waselenko JK, MacVittie TJ, Blakely WF, Pesik N, Wiley AL, Dickerson WE, et al; Strategic National Stockpile Radiation Working Group. Medical management of the acute radiation syndrome: recommendations of the Strategic National Stockpile Radiation Working Group. Ann Intern Med. 2004;140:1037-51. [PMID: 15197022] LinkGoogle Scholar3. World Health Organization. Guidelines for Iodine Prophylaxis following Nuclear Accidents: Update 1999. WHO/SDE/PHE/99.6. World Health Organization: Geneva: World Health Organization; 1999. Accessed at www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/pub_meet/Iodine_Prophylaxis_guide.pdf on 11 May 2011. Google Scholar4. Thompson DE, Mabuchi K, Ron E, Soda M, Tokunaga M, Ochikubo S, et al. Cancer incidence in atomic bomb survivors. Part II: Solid tumors, 1958-1987. Radiat Res. 1994;137:S17-67. [PMID: 8127952] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Nauman J, Wolff J. Iodide prophylaxis in Poland after the Chernobyl reactor accident: benefits and risks. Am J Med. 1993;94:524-32. [PMID: 8498398] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoMedical Management of the Acute Radiation Syndrome: Recommendations of the Strategic National Stockpile Radiation Working Group Jamie K. Waselenko , Thomas J. MacVittie , William F. Blakely , Nicki Pesik , Albert L. Wiley , William E. Dickerson , Horace Tsu , Dennis L. Confer , C. Norman Coleman , Thomas Seed , Patrick Lowry , James O. Armitage , and Nicholas Dainiak Metrics Cited ByVanillin derivative VND3207 activates DNA-PKcs conferring protection against radiation-induced intestinal epithelial cells injury in vitro and in vivoProtective effects of carboxyfullerene in irradiated cells and BALB/c miceAcute radiation syndrome and Fukushima: A watershed moment? 19 July 2011Volume 155, Issue 2Page: 135-136KeywordsChildrenHealth careHyperthyroidismObservational studiesPotassiumPregnancyProphylaxisRadiation exposureThyroidThyroid carcinoma ePublished: 19 July 2011 Issue Published: 19 July 2011 CopyrightCopyright © 2011 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...