Irradiation To Peripheral Nerve Causes Dying Back Degeneration

Introduction: Radiation neuropathy is one of the severe complications of radiotherapy. The exact pathophysiology underlying the development of radiation neuropathy remains unclear, however direct effects of radiation on schwann cells and radiationinduced fibrosis in the environment of the nerves have appeared to play an important role in the onset of this neuropathy [1,2]. In the clinical setting, neurolysis of the affected nerve from fibrotic tissue is indicated as the preferred surgical treatment. However, although many clinical reports have shown that pain relief is achieved with neurolysis, there is no evidence of recovery of either sensory or motor function impairment [1,3,4]. In other words, just releasing the radiated nerve from fibrosis is not sufficient to treat the radiation-induced neuropathy [2,6]. The aim of this study is to investigate the direct effects of radiation on rat sciatic nerves that are isolated from surrounding soft tissue.