Extracorporeal irradiation of blood: dosimetry corrected for shortened erythrocyte lifespans.

The amount of radiation delivered to erythrocytes during extracorporeal irradiation of blood (ECIB) has been described using Poisson distribution statistics. The Poisson expression for erythrocyte radiation dose distribution was simplified by considering the slight dilution of blood with fluid that is initially in the extracorporeal tubing. An algorithm was devised that allows curtailed lifespans of irradiated erythrocytes to be taken into account in a short computer program of radiation dosimetry for ECIB. Radiation doses to erythrocytes with and without lifespan corrections are compared.