Journal of Medical Physics and Applied Sciences

Low Dose Radiation Therapy for Covid-19 Pneumonia: The Pros and Cons

In evaluating the efficacy and detrimental impact of low-dose lung irradiation as an adjunctive treatment in interstitial pneumonia in patients with COVID-19, by improving the PAO₂/FIO₂ ratio (Arterial Oxygen Partial Pressure to Fractional Inspired Oxygen), an in-depth review is imperative to satisfy the global health safety as the whole world is in a raging fight against Covid-19. Some medical X-rays like extremity, chest and dental radiographs, involve effective doses of just a few microsieverts. However, organ doses and effective doses can be tens of millisieverts for extensive fluoroscopic or CT examinations. This work reviews studies on the impacts of the use of LDRT for covid-19 patient, both the LNT (Linear No Threshold) hypothesis and hormesis to avert cytokine storm during radiotherapeutic process while reducing inflammation and explains why the general scientific consensus is currently in check of the LNT model as the most appropriate dose-response relationship for radiation protection purposes at low doses considering the pros and the cons for appropriate medications.

Author(s):

Ode Omenka Samuel

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