RE: No sternum

["Gibbs, S J" <s.julian.gibbs@vanderbilt.edu>]

RADSAFErs:

There may have been an injury to the sternum related to previous medical 

treatment.  However, before placing any blame, please remember that the patient 

is still alive after at least two potentially fatal diseases.  I don't like to 

sound crude, but an intact sternum would be of little benefit six feet 

underground.

It is not likely that either the radiation or the surgery alone would produce 

the problem.  However, it is possible that the combination of the two could 

have.  Irradiated mature bone usually functions quite well until it is 

challenged.  Radiation injures the fine vasculature, so that irradiated bone 

has reduced functional reserve, and thus may respond poorly to trauma such as 

surgery.



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Gibbs, S J

Vanderbilt University

Email: s.julian.gibbs@Vanderbilt.Edu

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