This page is aimed at providing guidance and recommendations for patients, carers or family members following a high dose examination or procedure performed in the Neuroradiology department at NHNN, which involved ionising radiation.
All treatments and procedures have risks, and we will talk to you about the risks of your examination or procedure during the consent process prior to your procedure. This page will only refer to the radiation risks associated with your procedure. For further detailed information on all procedural associated risks, please read the specific procedure information page which can be accessed via our website. For further information relating to general radiation safety, please see the ‘Radiation safety information for patients, carers, and families’ information page now available on the Neuroradiology page of the trust public website.
Our state-of-the-art imaging equipment and modern techniques ensure the radiation dose is as low as possible. In addition, your doctor will have made a judgement about your risk and benefit before agreeing to the procedure (including the risk to your health of not having the procedure). The complexity of a case, location, size and type of pathology and overall procedural time will affect the level of radiation used and needed to provide a safe and effective treatment.
Problems that may happen straight away
It is extremely rare for radiation effects to become evident immediately post procedure for any current procedures performed at NHNN and at the radiation levels used for such procedures.
Problems that may happen later
In general, effects following a high dose examination are not often seen until 10-14 days post exposure. If you remain as an inpatient at NHNN we will ensure the nursing staff are aware where on your body to monitor (the irradiated site) and what changes to look out for.
The changes seen over the irradiated site and considered likely to have resulted from radiation exposure can include:
- Skin reddening (erythema).
- Skin hardening.
- Skin tightness or soreness.
- Itching.
- Hair loss over the area (epilation).
These effects are often transient in the levels of radiation used for current procedures at Neuroradiology, meaning the skin and hair of the irradiated site will recover and regrow after time.
Problems that are rare, but serious
The use of X-rays during any procedure results in a very small increase in the risk of developing cancer in the future. Extremely rarely high dose procedures performed in Neuroradiology result in permanent hair loss or skin damage.
If the dose you receive is considered significant to cause potential skin damage or hair loss, we will speak to you and the team caring for you about this.
Your case will have been discussed by a multidisciplinary team of Neuroradiologists, Neurosurgeons and Neurologists. The treatment offered is based on the agreement of the team as to what is the best course of action. It is important that you fully understand the procedure, what it means for you and any alternative treatments available. You are under no obligation to follow the advice given. If you are unhappy about the treatment being offered, a full discussion with members of the team can be arranged. It is entirely reasonable to seek a second opinion if you still have concerns.
Whatever decision you reach, it will not affect the standard of care you receive. We will continue to offer you the best care possible, based on the best current evidence we have available.
We do not currently advise any specific steps to be undertaken prior to your procedure. Please see the related procedure specific patient information page for further information on preparing for your procedure (available on the Neuroradiology page of our website), or alternatively speak with your vascular clinical nurse specialist or your referring team.
We want to involve you in all the decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to go ahead with treatment, by law we must ask for your consent and will ask you to sign a consent form. This confirms that you agree to have the procedure and understand what it involves. Staff will explain all the risks, benefits, and alternatives before they ask you to sign a consent form. If you are unsure about any aspect of your proposed treatment, please don’t hesitate to speak with a senior member of staff again.
You will be visited on the ward by the Interventional Neuroradiologist or by a member of the Neurosurgical team to discuss the outcomes of your procedure and see how you are recovering. It will be confirmed with you if the total radiation dose used during the procedure is considered high or significant and has the potential to cause hair/skin changes. You may also be given a letter at the time to explain what changes you can expect to the irradiated site. The ward staff will also be made aware of any changes to look out for.
The acquired radiation dose figures will be sent to the medical physicists, who will perform calculations to confirm when approximately these changes may occur and to what significance. The medical physicists will produce a report which will be made available to your referring team and added to your medical records.
Please contact Neuroradiology directly (020 344 83444 or uclh.
Once the site is irradiated your skin’s reaction cannot be prevented. However below are some practical tips which can help soothe the area and avoid further aggravating the irradiated site.
- Keep up an intake of 6-8 glasses of water a day.
- Eat a well-balanced diet: a diet which includes fruit & veg, lean protein and whole grains.
- Continue to moisturise the skin frequently with your preferred moisturiser, however, do cease use if this further irritates the area.
- If your skin blisters or peels stop using moisturiser altogether.
- Ensure you do not use overly hot water when washing and bathing. Wash your skin gently and pat dry.
- You may go swimming if your skin is not blistering or peeling. It is best to shower immediately after swimming to wash off the chlorine.
- Please avoid sun exposure and protect the irradiated site from direct sunlight. Please consider wearing sun protection with a minimum of SPF 50 or wearing a hat/ clothing to cover the area.
Finally remember to avoid:
- Rubbing the area.
- Using sticky tape such as Elastoplast or Micropore.
- Shaving the area, if possible.
- Using wax, hair removal cream or lasers on or close to the affected area.
- Using hair dye, perfume, aftershave, or make-up on or close to the affected area.
If you do develop skin damage or hair loss because of a high dose procedure, it is important to remember several factors as well as the overall radiation dose received can affect how the area reacts:
- If your head or neck is the irradiated site, this is due to the skin sensitivity in these areas and the tendency for these areas to receive sun exposure.
- If you smoke, as this effects oxygen levels in the skin.
- If you have conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.
- For information on radiation safety (IRMER) regulations visit the Care Quality Commission website.
- The Society of Radiographers website.
- Detailed information on radiation dermatitis can be found on the SOR website above. Please note this is for patients undergoing radiotherapy and receiving significantly higher doses than those received from procedures performed in Neuroradiology.
- For more information on specific examinations and procedures performed at Neuroradiology, NHNN and other patient leaflets please visit our website.
- NHS Direct is also another very useful source of health information.
UCLH cannot accept responsibility for information provided by other organisations.
Society of radiographers. 2020. Radiation Dermatitis Guidelines for Radiotherapy Healthcare Professionals. [Online]. [23 August 2021]. Available on the SOR website.
Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology
National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery,
Queen Square,
London
WC1N 3BG
Direct line: 020 344 83444
Switchboard: 0845 155 5000
Extension: 83444/ 83446
Fax: 020 344 84723
Email: uclh.
Website: www.
Neurovascular Clinical Nurse Specialists
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Queen Square
London
WC1N 3BG
Direct line: 020 344 83523
Switchboard: 0845 155 5000
Extension: 83523
Email: uclh.
Website: www.
The Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology reception is located in Chandler wing, on the lower ground floor of the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, Queen Square.
Please turn left when you exit the chandler wing lifts on the lower ground floor to find our main departmental reception.
Page last updated: 07 November 2024
Review due: 01 November 2026