Local hemodynamic effects of radiation on the rabbit orbitozygomatic complex with and without cytoprotection.

The authors have previously demonstrated that radiation-induced craniofacial bone growth inhibition may be ameliorated using the known cytoprotectant amifostine in the infant rabbit orbitozygomatic complex. The authors' hypothesis is that reduction in blood supply plays an important role in inhibiting craniofacial bone growth following radiotherapy and that cytoprotective pretreatment exerts its protective effect by maintaining blood supply.