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Nerve conduction velocities in radiologic technologists: A pilot study

Objectives: Radiologic technologists (RTs) are typically exposed to low doses of radiations for longer periods, which have a health risk over many organs and tissues. Resistant tissues like nerves have shown neuropathic changes due to acute high-dose radiation exposure in the form of radiation therapy but the effect of low-dose chronic radiation exposure over peripheral nerves in RTs has been studied scantily. Materials and Methods: Nerve conduction parameters were recorded from 30 RTs and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals who were not exposed to radiation. Motor nerve conduction study (NCS) of bilateral median, ulnar, radial, common peroneal and tibial nerves and sensory NCS of bilateral median, ulnar and radial nerves were recorded and compared. Results: Significant changes were observed in the form of reduction in motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity (P < 0.05) in all the examined nerves. Sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitudes were reduced and latencies were prolonged significantly (P < 0.05) in all the examined sensory nerves. We also found reduced compound muscle action potential amplitude (significant in ulnar, radial, common peroneal and tibial nerves) along with prolonged motor distal latencies (significant in median, ulnar and tibial nerves) among RTs compared to healthy individuals. Conclusion: Chronic low-dose exposure of ionising radiation causes sub-clinical neuropathies affecting both sensory and motor nerves.