Background: During the first half of the 20th century, scalp irradiation was a standard treatment for induction of epilation in children suffering from Tinea Capitis. These children are now more than 50 years old and the aim was to investigate the possible association between their childhood low dose irradiation exposure and development of carotid atherosclerotic disease in adulthood.

Methods: The study included 145 individuals treated by irradiation in their childhood, and 150 matched control subjects with no history of irradiation. B-mode ultrasound imaging and US Doppler were used to measure carotid and femoral stenosis and Intima-Media Thickness (IMT). Blood samples were taken for lipid profile and homocysteine evaluation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18 or older
• childhood scalp irradiation or mach controls
• writen informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• inability to give written informed consent

The study was designed to include 150 persons who were treated as children for Tinea Capitis by scalp irradiation in the 1950's and 150 subjects who were not exposed to radiation. This sample size was determined under the following assumption: power of ≥95%, alpha error level of 5%, 10% prevalence of carotid stenosis in the non exposed group and minimal OR of 2.5.