Radiation burn--from mechanism to management.

Radiation burn can occur with diagnostic or therapeutic use of ionizing radiation. A nonintentional radiation burn is relatively uncommon. Skin has a specific tolerance to radiation, above which different grades of radiation burn can occur. Being a rare and less studied problem, no precise guideline is present for its management. Because of few unresolved issues in the pathophysiology of deep radiation burn, its management is difficult. To date no specific guidelines are present for the treatment of radiation burn.