Page 116 - Effects of radiotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy on oral microcirculation Renee Helmers

Chapter 6
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Late side effects of radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients (HNCPs) result in long-term decreased tissue vascularity and a compromised healing capacity. The aim of this study was to examine the in vivo effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the individual vessels of the microcirculation in irradiated oral tissue.
Materials and methods: Using a handheld vital microscope system the effect of HBOT on oral mucosal microcirculation parameters concerning microvascular flow index, gingival and buccal vessel density and buccal vessel diameter were measured in 34 previously irradiated HNCPs. Measurements were obtained prior to HBOT (T0) and then at 4 weeks (T4) and 24 weeks (6 months; T24) posttreatment.
Results: A significant increase in mean buccal vessel density and decrease in buccal vessel diameter was found 6 months after HBOT (T24) compared to baseline (T0), 22±11 cpll/mm2 vs. 25±7 cpll/mm2 (p<0.05) and 20±4 mm vs. 16±5 mm (p<0.05) respectively. Altered microvascular morphology was observed to be present throughout all time points. Conclusion: Our results indicate that microcirculation histopathology associated with late irradiation injury in oral mucosa is able to respond to HBOT by redirecting oral microcirculation parameters towards values consistent with healthy tissue.
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