Prevention of Death in Mice after Lethal Irradiation of the Head

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Abstract
Several species of laboratory animals die 9 to 14 days after irradiation of the head with 2000 to 4000 r. Such death has been termed "Oral Radiation Death." Death is preceded by a progressive weight loss and the appearance of specific lingual ulcerations. Liquid diets, and indwelling gastrostomy tube feedings after 2000 r x-irradiation of the head in mice, a dose which ordinarily produces 100% mortality, produced about a 20% survival rate. A more adequate diet could be fed through the gastrostomy tubes. However, gastrostomy feeding failed in about 50% in non-irradiated mice. Autopsies were performed on all mice to determine the functional state of the gastrostomy tube. If gastrostomy failures were excluded, the survival rate after irradiation was 94%. Thus death could be prevented in mice after irradiation of the head with doses producing "Oral Radiation Death" if hydration and nutrition were adequately maintained.

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