A search for an effect of ultrasound alone and in combination with X rays on chromosomesin vivo

Abstract

Experiments were aimed to establish whether therapeutic doses of ultrasound are liable to cause demonstrable chromosomal damage in marrow cells of the mouse. On evaluation of the chromosome aberrations no significant increase was found after treatment with three different doses of ultrasound. In contrast, our "positive control group" irradiated with 50 R of X rays showed clearly demonstrable chromosomal damage. In another group of animals treated with ultrasound plus X rays, the ultrasonic pretreatment did not increase the damaging effect of X rays significantly.

Investigation into possible DNA damaging effects of ultrasound in occupationally exposed medical personnel — the alkaline comet assay study

“…Reports about potentially harmful effects of diagnostic ultrasound on human chromosomes are contradictory (Buckton and Baker, 1972;MacIntosh and Davey, 1972;Harkanyi et al, 1975;Martin, 1984;Barnett et al, 1987;Carrerra et al, 1990;Martin et al, 1991). Ultrasound may cause irreversible cell damage and induce important cellmembrane modification (Ellwart et al, 1998).…”