Chemical form: thorium dioxide
Mechanism of injury: alpha, beta and gamma radiation
Histologic features: refractile granules in macrophages (portal tract, other)
Radiographic features: metallic hyperdensities in liver, spleen and lymph nodes (RE system), with positive autoradiography
Tumors associated with thorotrast exposure:
(1) hepatic angiosarcoma
(2) cholangiocarcinoma
(3) hepatocellular carcinoma
(4) erythroleukemia or other leukemia
(5) carcinoma of the frontal sinus
Other lesions associated with thorotrast:
(1) hepatic nodular regenerative hyperplasia
(2) granuloma (thorotrastoma) at site of extravasation
Other pathologies:
(1) bone marrow hypoplasia with anemia
(2) myelofibrosis
(3) thyroid disease
(4) noncirrhotic portal hypertension
(5) pulmonary fibrosis
