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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Pneumonia | Case Study

Low-dose radiotherapy for COVID-19 pneumonia treatment: case report, procedure, and literature review

Authors: Ruben Del Castillo, MD, David Martinez, MD, Gustavo J. Sarria, MD, Luis Pinillos, MD, Bertha Garcia, MSc, Luis Castillo, MD, Alicia Carhuactocto, MSc, Frank A. Giordano, MD, Gustavo R. Sarria, MD

Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie | Issue 12/2020

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has set the emergency services in developing countries on major alert, as the installed response capacities are easily overwhelmed by the constantly increasing high demand. The deficit of intensive care unit beds and ventilators in countries like Peru is forcing practitioners to seek preventive or early interventional strategies to prevent saturating these chronically neglected facilities.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old patient is reported after presenting with COVID-19 pneumonia and rapidly progressing to deteriorated ventilatory function. Compassionate treatment with a single 1‑Gy dose to the bilateral whole-lung volume was administered, with gradual daily improvement of ventilatory function and decrease in serum inflammatory markers and oxygen support needs, including intubation. No treatment-related toxicity developed. Procedures of transport, disinfection, and treatment planning and delivery are described.

Conclusion

Whole-lung low-dose radiotherapy seems to be a promising approach for avoiding or delaying invasive respiratory support. Delivered low doses are far from meeting toxicity ranges. On-going prospective trials will elucidate the effectiveness of this approach.

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Title: Low-dose radiotherapy for COVID-19 pneumonia treatment: case report, procedure, and literature review
Authors: Ruben Del Castillo, MD
David Martinez, MD
Gustavo J. Sarria, MD
Luis Pinillos, MD
Bertha Garcia, MSc
Luis Castillo, MD
Alicia Carhuactocto, MSc
Frank A. Giordano, MD
Gustavo R. Sarria, MD
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Pneumonia
Radiotherapy
COVID-19
Cytokines
Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie / Issue 12/2020
Print ISSN: 0179-7158
Electronic ISSN: 1439-099X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-020-01675-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Low-dose radiotherapy for COVID-19 pneumonia treatment: case report, procedure, and literature review

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusion

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