STUDIES OF THORIUM-X APPLIED TO HUMAN SKIN .2. COMPARATIVE FINDINGS OF THE PENETRATION AND LOCALIZATION OF THORIUM-X WHEN APPLIED IN ALCOHOLIC SOLUTION, IN OINTMENT AND IN LACQUER VEHICLES

[摘要] The autoradiographic demonstration of thorium X penetration and localization in 63 specimens of human skin treated in vivo is reported. This includes specimens prepared with thorium X in alcoholic soln. (28), in ointment base (24) and in lacquer vehicle (11). In addition to confirming previously published results based on 9 specimens of tissue treated with thorium X in alcohol, the present findings with ointment and lacquer vehicles show that alpha tracks from the thorium X and its disintegration products are found: (1) in the epidermis distributed throughout the prickle and basal cell layers; (2) in the hair follicles and follicular walls; and (3) to a lesser degree in the sweat ducts and sweat glands. Possible mechanisms by which thorium X penetrates these various structures are discussed. The possible correlation between penetration and visible biologic effects as evidenced by erythema and pigmentation is considered.