DUODENAL ULCERATION AFTER RADIATION-THERA PY CURED BY HYPERBARIC-OXYGEN

Radiation enteric disorders are rare and difficult to treat. A case of radiation duodenitis treated by hyperbaric oxygen is reported. A sixt y-years-old man underwent right nephrouretectomy, chemotherapy (platin and 5 fluorouracile) and radiation therapy (54 Gy) for excretory urin ary carcinoma. Six months later, even though he was under omeprazole t herapy for reflux oesophagitis, he experienced antroduodenitis, duoden al ulceration, and duodenal telangiectasia. Symptoms and duodenal ulce r disappeared 2 months later with hyperbaric oxygen (10 one hour sessi ons at 2 ATA). Most likely, hyperbaric oxygen can reduce the consequen ces of obliterative endarteritis due to irradiation, responsible for i schaemia and fibrosis later on.