X-Ray treatment of carbuncles and furuncles (boils): a historical assessment.

The goal of this article was to assess the historical role of radiotherapy in the treatment of selected inflammatory diseases. The specific research involved a literature-based assessment of the use of x-rays during the first half of the 20th century for the treatment of furuncles and carbuncles, the potentially serious staphylococcus infections. X-Rays were reported to be effective as a treatment at relatively low dose, about 10-20% of the skin erythema dose, which often quickly and profoundly reduce pain and accelerate the resolution/healing of the furuncles and carbuncles. These findings were based on considerable clinical experience that was generally reported in the form of case studies. The mechanism of x-ray-induced reduction of inflammation and acceleration of healing was suggested to result from a combination of immune alterations that enhanced phagocytosis as well as via an anti-localization effect on the pathogenic organism that facilitates their destruction.

Roentgen therapy for infections: an historical review.

Radiation was used extensively for the treatment of all types of infections before the advent of antibiotics. Although this mode of therapy is now in disrepute, radiation therapists of that era were firm believers in the ability of radiation to cure infections. A review of the literature suggests, but certainly does not prove, that low-dose local radiation, in the range of 75 to 300 roentgens, is an effective treatment modality for a wide variety of infections. Two then-prevailing rationales held that the effect was due either to radiation damage to the immune cells, causing stimulation of the immune response, or to the increase in local inflammation with resultant increased blood flow. Modern research has been limited but provides support for both arguments. Although there are no present indications for using radiation as therapy for infectious disease, a reasonable argument can be made from the available data that radiation is effective for the treatment of localized infections. The mechanisms of low-dose radiation as a treatment for infections remain unclear. The known and probable long-term sequelae of low-dose local irradiation preclude its common use for this condition. Nevertheless, it is hoped that this review will stimulate investigations into this relatively unexplored area of radiobiology.

[Ultraviolet irradiation of the blood in the complex treatment of suppurative-inflammatory diseases]. / Ultrafioletovoe obluchenie krovi bolnogo v kompleksnom lechenii gnoino-vospalitelnykh zabolevanii.

The experience with the use of ultraviolet irradiation (UVI) of the blood in 98 patients with purulent-inflammatory disease is presented. UVI of the blood has considerably improved the results of treatment of the patients. The highest effectiveness of UVI of the blood is noted in treatment of chromosepsis. The treatment of psoriasis by the mentioned method appeared ineffective.

[Radiotherapy of inflammatory diseases -- indicated still today? (author's transl)]. / Strahlenbehandlung entzündlicher Erkrankungen -- heute noch indiziert

The good response of inflammatory diseases to a low dose radiotherapy is well known. Mainly, this fact is based on experiences made in the time before antibacterial chemotherapy area. In this study our results are presented which were obtained by treating 90 patients with radiotherapy in the last years, exlusively. With respect to the end of the treatment a success rate of more than 90% was achieved. This result was compared with literature and with own findings from radiotherapy of patients with degenerative joint diseases. From the viewpoint of radio-protection the radiotherapy should be initiated as early as possible because in these cases better results could be attained at low doses. Especially, the radiotherapy of the following diseases seems to be favourable: parotitis, mastitis, abscess, furuncle, paronychia and panaritium. Besides the complications and risks of the chemotherapy the somatic and genetic radiation injuries are discussed. When radiation therapy is applied skilfully the side effects of a locally and regionally limited therapy may be neglected. It is recommended to extend the indication for radiotherapy of inflammatory diseases.