Blood flow through irradiated rabbit submandibular glands measured with fluorescein angiography.

Microvascular injury has been regarded as a contributing factor in irradiation damage of biologic tissues, including morphologic changes and increased permeability of the vascular network. The late irradiation effect on the capillary circulation of salivary glands was studied with dynamic fluorescein angiography. In 31 rabbits one side of the head was exposed to a single radiation dose of 15 Gy. At 4 and 10 months thereafter no significant difference was detectable in the microcirculation between the unshielded and shielded glands.