Breast Biopsies with ABBI(R): Experience with 183 Attempted Biopsies

When first introduced, the advanced breast biopsy instrumentation (ABBI^®) system seemed to have many advantages as a diagnostic procedure. Problems have arisen, however, both in terms of patient unsuitability and mechanical failure. In addition, there has been uncertainty as to whether the complete lesion removal it afforded could be considered definitive treatment in malignant cases. Incision margins were looked at to investigate that possibility. Of the 183 patients we saw in our first year of experience with ABBI, 48 (26%) were rejected for being poor candidates for it. In the remaining 132 biopsies there were 31 (23%) technical difficulties. All told, 14 malignancies were discovered, all of which appeared to have pathology-free incision margins radiologically. However, 13 of these 14 (93%) proved on pathologic examination to have residual malignancy. ▪     

Humiliation: Assessing the Impact of Derision, Degradation, and Debasement

This paper describes the development of a self-report scale to assess the internal experience of humiliation. After defining the construct, an item pool of 149 items was generated, utilizing a five-point Likert scale response format. A sample of 253 individuals ages 15 to 51 (M= 20.66) was used to conduct the item trial. The item pool was evaluated through item and factor analyses. Factor analysis identified two correlated factors accounting for 58% of scale variability. The 20 items loading on factor one were labeled the Fear of Humiliation Subscale and the 12 items loading on factor two were labeled the Cumulative Humiliation Subscale. The full scale of 32 items is called the Humiliation Inventory. Reliability analyses indicate that the subscales and the full scale have high internal consistency. Exploratory analyses of mean scores across six demographic groups indicate significant differences between male and female mean scores on the total scale and the two subscales.     

External gamma-ray counting of selected tissues from a Thorotrast patient.

Results of gamma-ray measurements of selected tissues from a patient who was injected with Thorotrast almost 36 y ago are reported. The purposes of this study were: 1) to determine the relative tissue distribution and activities of specific radionuclides in the 232Th decay chain, specifically 228Ra (as measured by 228Ac), 212Pb, and 224Ra (measured directly and as measured by 212Pb), and 2) to evaluate the level of radioactive disequilibrium among the daughter products. The spleen and liver had the highest concentrations of radioactivity. Bone also appears to be a long-term sink for 232Th daughter products based on estimates from a small portion of one rib. Larynx and esophagus contained measurable activity, which may have been due to their proximity to the "Thorotrastoma." Radioactivity in the remaining measured tissues were low, as expected. Secular equilibrium could be demonstrated in bone, pancreas, larynx, esophagus, and breast. Significant disequilibrium was observed for spleen, liver, kidney, and red blood cells. Radioactivity measurements reported here will be useful in estimating radiation doses to selected tissues. Such dose estimates are valuable in refining current risk estimates (e.g., liver) and in identifying tissues at risk for further epidemiologic studies. These results, while consistent with other published studies, should be interpreted with caution since measurements were made on only one patient.     

Accumulation and metabolism of carbon-14 labeled benzene,naphthalene, and anthracene by young coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Carbon-14 labeled benzene, naphthalene, and anthracene were administered to young coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the food and by intraperitoneal injection. Regardless of the mode of application the accumulated carbon-14 (% administered dose) in key organs (e.g., liver and brain) increased in the order anthracene > naphthalene > benzene over various time periods. The metabolic fate of the hydrocarbons after intraperitoneal injection was studied. It was shown that the highest percentages of metabolites occurred in the gall bladder; however, significant amounts were also found in the liver, brain, flesh, and carcass. Solvent partition and thin-layer chromatographic techniques were developed to determine the structure of individual metabolites. In brain, liver, and gall bladder, 1-naphthol and 1-naphthyl glucuronic acid were major products of naphthalene metabolism; however, glycoside/sulfate fractions and mercapturic acid were indicated. The heart and flesh were rich in 1-naphthol and the former organ contained significant amounts of 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene. The findings indicated that the aromatic hydrocarbons in key organs increased in relation to the number of benzenoid rings. Further, it appears that aromatic metabolites are broadly distributed throughout fish exposed to polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Use of AcrySof acrylic foldable intraocular lens for secondary implantation in children.

PURPOSE: Secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is an increasingly viable option in the management of pediatric aphakia. We report our experience of secondary IOL implantation in pediatric patients using the AcrySof (Alcon Surgical, Fort Worth, Texas) 3-piece foldable lenses through a small incision. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all our patients < 18 years undergoing secondary IOL implantation of the AcrySof lens from 1997 to 2001. All patients with a minimum of 6 months follow-up were included. Records were analyzed for age at surgery, postoperative acuity change, postoperative refractive error and anisometropia, surgical complications, and length of follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-five eyes of 36 patients were included in the review. Mean age at surgery was 7.4 years (1.1 to 15.4), and mean follow-up was 28 months (6.3 months to 5 years). Vision decrease > 2 lines was noted in 3 eyes (5.8%) during the follow-up period. Complications included IOL decentration in 3 eyes (5%), wound leak in 3 eyes (5%), secondary membrane formation in 5 eyes (9%), pupillary block glaucoma in 1 eye (2%), and ptosis in 1 eye (2%). Four eyes (7%) required reoperation for complications. Mean postoperative refractive error was -0.1 +/- 3.2 diopters (D), and mean anisometropia was 2.01 +/- 1.44 D. Glaucoma subsequently developed in 6 eyes (11%), 2 of which required surgical correction. CONCLUSIONS: Secondary placement of the AcrySof IOL in the ciliary sulcus is a safe and effective method to correct aphakia in pediatric patients with adequate capsular support. The incidence of complications requiring reoperation is low.