Dosimetric comparison of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for early-stage glottic cancers with and without the air cavity in the planning target volume

For early-stage glottic cancers, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been shown to have comparable local control to 3D-conformal radiotherapy with the advantage of decreased dose to the carotid arteries. The planning target volume (PTV) for early glottic cancers typically includes the entire larynx, plus a 3 to 5 mm uniform margin. The air cavity within the larynx creates a challenge for the inverse optimization process as the software attempts to “build up” dose within the air. This unnecessary attempt at dose build-up in air can lead to hot spots within the rest of the PTV and surrounding soft tissue. We hypothesized that removal of the air from the PTV would decrease hot spots and allow for a more homogeneous plan while still maintaining adequate coverage of the PTV.We analyzed 20 consecutive patients with early-stage glottic cancer, T1-2N0, who received IMRT at our institution from April 2015 to December 2016. Each patient received 63 to 65.25 Gy in 2.25 Gy per fraction. Two plans were created for each case: one in which the PTV included the laryngeal air cavity and one in which the air cavity was subtracted from the PTV to create a new PTV-air structure. Dosimetric variables were collected for PTV-air structure from both IMRT plans, including V100%, D98% D2%, and D0.2%. Dosimetric variables for spinal cord and the carotid arteries were also recorded. Homogeneity index (HI) defined as D98/D2 was calculated. Two-sided t-tests were used to compare dosimetric variables.The median PTV volume was 69.9 cc (standard deviation [SD] ± 28.7 cc) and the median air cavity volume removed was 11.0 cc (SD ± 3.4 cc). A 2-sided t-test revealed a statistically significant decrease in max dose (112.7% vs 108.8%, p value = 0.0002) and improvement of HI (0.93 vs 0.91, p value = 0.0023) for the PTV air in the IMRT plan optimized for PTV air, which had air excluded, compared to the IMRT plan optimized for PTV with air included. There was no significant worsening of PTV-air coverage or significant increase in doses to the organs at risk (OARs).The removal of the air cavity from the PTV for early-stage glottic cancers does not compromise PTV coverage or sparing of OARs and can result in a more homogeneous IMRT plan. A more homogeneous plan has the potential to reduce treatment morbidity, although further study is warranted to investigate the clinical impact of air cavity removal from the PTV.     

Radiographic predictors of IMRT for treating regional lymph nodes in breast cancer

Regional nodal irradiation (RNI) is an essential part of the treatment of high risk early stage (Stage IIb) and locally advanced (Stage III) breast cancer. Acceptable radiation plans can usually be achieved using 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy with deep-inspiration breath hold to limit dose to the heart, although in some cases intensity-modulated radiation therapy produces superior results. The goal of this study is to identify radiographic parameters that predict the need for IMRT when delivering RNI. We retrospectively examined breast cancer patients treated with comprehensive RNI including internal mammary lymph nodes, supraclavicular lymph nodes, and undissected axillary lymph nodes at our institution from January 2016 to February 2018. Radiographic parameters including lung volume, internal mammary lymph nodes depth, modified central lung distance (mCLD), tangent length, and target height were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed using IMRT as a binary endpoint (yes/no). A total of 46 patients were evaluated, of which 9 (20%) required IMRT. Five of the 9 (56%) IMRT patients were postmastectomy with a tissue expander in place. There was an increased likelihood of IMRT per 0.5 cm increase in mCLD (odds ratios [OR]: 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.39 to 9.63; p = 0.01) and per 1 cm increase in target height (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.40; p = 0.04). A threshold value of 3.38 cm was identified for mCLD (OR 10.3; 95% CI: 2.14 to 61.4; p value = 0.005), and 25.2 cm for target height (OR 10.9; 95% CI: 2.19 to 82.7; p value = 0.007). When delivering RNI, larger values of mCLD and target height corresponded to the use of IMRT. Further investigations are warranted to confirm these findings, which may improve the efficiency of the treatment planning process and in turn patient care.     

Nodal Follicular Lymphomas: A Clinicopathological Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in South India

The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of nodal follicular lymphomas (FL) among various subtypes of non- Hodgkin lymphoma and to study their clinico-pathological features. Clinical details, histomorphology including grading & patterns and immunoprofile of 44 cases were studied. Majority of the cases were grade 1 (61 %) FL. BCL2 positivity was higher in low grade FLs (97 %). An associated diffuse large B cell lymphoma component was seen in 18 % and was present only in conjunction with grade 3 FL. Majority of our patients (76 %) had a high FLIPI score and belonged to the high risk group. Our study showed that the incidence of FLs is much lower in the Indian population (14.5 %) when compared to western studies and majority were of low grade. Although there was complete initial response to treatment, relapse was common and was much higher in low grade FLs with diffuse areas on histology, Ann Arbor stage III/IV and FLIPI scores of 3–5.     

Mouse locomotor activity: Effect of morphine,narcotic antagonists,and the interaction of morphine and narcotic antagonists

Morphine-induced locomotor activity in mice has been investigated but there appear to be only a small number of reports on the effects of narcotic antagonists on this increased activity. Also, it is well known that some narcotic antagonists can act as both morphine antagonists and analgesics in nociceptive assays, but there have been few demonstrations of this stimulant and antagonistic action with locomotor activity studies. In this study, six compounds (cyclazocine levallorphan, diprenorphine (M-5050), nalorphine, naloxone, and naltrexone) have been investigated in regard to their activity as antagonists of morphine-induced locomotor activity and in regard to their ability to stimulate locomotor activity themselves. All six compounds antagonized the effect of morphine, but only cyclazocine and levallorphan produced any significant stimulation of locomotor activity by themselves at the doses tested. This study indicates that changes in mouse locomotor activity can be used successfully to monitor the interaction between morphine and narcotic antagonists and that locomotor activity studies can also be used to study the stimulant (agonist) properties of narcotic antagonists.Supported in part by NIMH Contract No. HSM-42-72-167.The research was carried out with animals maintained in animal care facilities fully accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care.     

Diabetic macular edema and argon laser photocoagulation: a prospective randomized study

Loss of vision from diabetic retinopathy can result from complications of neovascular proliferation, or frequently, from macular edema secondary to background diabetic retinopathy. Although the benefits of photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy have been clarified by the National Eye Institute's collaborative diabetic retinopathy study, those for background diabetic retinopathy with macular edema remain unclear. Several articles have described the visual benefits and reduction of edema following photocoagulation of eyes with background diabetic retinopathy and macular edema, but only Patz's study was prospectively designed utilizing a random assignment of laser treatment for one eye with the other eye remaining untreated. This article reports the two-year results of a similar prospective study in which one eye in each of 39 patients with symmetrical macular edema secondary to background diabetic retinopathy was randomly selected to receive argon laser photocoagulation, while the fellow eye remained untreated.     

Intraoperative balloon-catheter dilatation: University of Florida experience

Thirty-four patients with stable angina underwent coronary artery bypass surgery with supplemental intraoperative coronary artery balloon-catheter dilatation. Coronary dilatation was performed on 35 vessels at 50 sites. The balloon catheter could not be passed through one stenotic site. Intimal dissection occurred at two sites, as noted on early postoperative angiographic studies, with resolution on follow-up studies. There was one perioperative myocardial infarction, 100% early relief of angina, and one operative death. Of 25 distal arterial narrowings studied early by angiography (mean, 10 days), 15 (60%) were unchanged, two (8%) were worse, and eight (32%) were improved. Discrete narrowings improved more than diffuse narrowings; in 46% of the former there was an increase in luminal diameter, in comparison to only 17% of the latter. During a maximal 34-month follow-up period, two patients developed recurrent angina and one died of congestive heart failure. Of 13 distal coronary narrowings studied late (mean, 1 year), six (46%) were unchanged, three (23%) were worse, and four (31%) were improved. Postoperative serial catheterization (early and late) of 10 distal narrowings revealed that nine were unchanged and one was worse. Adjunctive intraoperative coronary balloon-catheter dilatation can be performed safely with acceptable clinical results. The procedure may also allow more complete revascularization of the myocardium.     

Institution of Physiological Pacing Utilizing Preexisting Hardware

Six patients with ventricular inhibited pacemakers, who experienced adverse effects from loss of atrial contribution to cardiac output and loss of atrioventricular synchrony, were successfully converted to atrial demand (3 patients) and atrioventricular sequential systems (3 patients). The preexisting ventricular pulse generator was used for atrial pacing in 3 patients, and the preexisting ventricular leads were employed for atrioventricular sequential pacing in 3 patients. The advantages and potential risks of utilizing preexisting hardware for conversion of ventricular pacing into physiological pacing are discussed.     

Fluorescein angiography in retrolental fibroplasia: experience from 1969-1977

Acute proliferative retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) has been studied in premature infants employing a Zeiss fundus camera and fluorescein angiography. A total of 164 angiograms have been performed on 122 infants. At the present time, angiography is reserved for studying infants with peculiar or puzzling fundus pictures. A dose of 0.1-0.4 cc of 10% sodium fluoresceinate is employed, depending on the age and the weight of the baby. Fluorescein clearly outlines the major arteriovenous shunt in the retina, which is the hallmark of acute RLF. The shunt fills with fluorescein and leaks it profusely. On regression, a fine brush border of capillaries is seen in the region where the shunt previously had been located. Study of the population susceptible to RLF reveals it to be the smallest sickest babies in the premature nursery.