Overexposure of radiation therapy patients in Panama: problem recognition and follow-up measures.

This report summarizes and analyzes the responses of various organizations that provided assistance to the National Oncology Institute (Instituto Oncológico Nacional, ION) of Panama following the overexposure of 28 radiation therapy patients at the ION in late 2000 and early 2001. The report also looks at the long-term measures that were adopted at the ION in response to the overexposure incident, as well as implications that the incident has for other cancer treatment centers worldwide. In March 2001, the director of the ION was notified of serious overreactions in patients undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Of the 478 patients treated for pelvic cancers between August 2000 and March 2001, 3 of them had died, possibly from an overdose of radiation. In response, the Government of Panama invited international experts to carry out a full investigation of the situation. Medical physicists from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) were among those invited. They ascertained that 56 patients treated with partially blocked teletherapy fields for cancers of the uterine cervix, endometrium, prostate, or rectum, had had their treatment times calculated using a computerized treatment planning system. PAHO's medical physicists calculated the absorbed doses received by the patients and found that, of these 56 patients, only 11 had been treated with acceptable errors of +/-5%. The doses received by 28 of the 56 patients had errors ranging from +10 to +105%. These are the patients identified by ION physicists as overexposed. Twenty-three of the 28 overexposed patients had died by September 2005, with at least 18 of the deaths being from radiation effects, mostly rectal complications. The clinical, psychological, and legal consequences of the overexposures crippled cancer treatments in Panama and prompted PAHO to assess radiation oncology practices in the countries of Latin American and the Caribbean. ION clinicians evaluated the outcome of 125 non-overexposed patients who had been treated in the same time period and for the same cancer sites as the overexposed patients. The clinicians uncovered a larger recurrence of cervical cancers than expected. The finding prompted PAHO to launch an initiative for the accreditation of radiation oncology centers in Latin America and the Caribbean, working in collaboration with professional societies for radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiotherapy technologists. The Latin American Association for Radiation Oncology (Asociación Latinoamericana de Terapia Radiante Oncológica) has established an accreditation commission. Accreditation will require that centers implement a comprehensive radiation oncology quality assurance program that follows international guidelines. Statistical data on patient outcomes will be collected in order to document needs in radiotherapy centers in Latin America and the Caribbean and to define future strategies for cancer treatment.     

Ipsilateral Aymand’s and Richter’s hernia, complicated by necrosing fascitis

This study presents the case of a patient with necrobiosis or necrosing fascitis of the inguinal region, secondary to a complicated Amyand’s hernia with a concomitant ipsilateral Richter’s hernia. The patient was treated with open trans-abdominal surgery and hernia repair through the pre-peritoneal approach, plus anti-microbians, and thrice-daily wound cleansing and dressings to the inguinal region. Evolution was satisfactory. There are no reports in the literature of a case such as this.     

Determinants of left ventricular systolic function recovery after an acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of heart failure in western societies. However, the factors that may influence left ventricular function (LVF) recovery after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To identify variables that may influence LVF evolution one year after ACS. METHODS: 104 patients hospitalized with ACS between 7/1/2001 and 12/31/2002 and with systolic dysfunction--defined as an echocardiographic ejection fraction (EF) < or = 45%--were randomly allocated to a planned coronary follow-up program (FUP) or a general cardiology clinic (GC); patients from both groups were also randomly referred to a structured cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). EF was re-assessed at one year. We compared differences between patients who recovered left ventricular function (EF > 45%; group 1) and those who did not (group 2). RESULTS: One year after discharge, 44.2% of the patients had recovered function. There were no significant differences between the groups in gender (77.7 vs. 76.5% male), age (56 vs. 59 years), hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking habits or family history. A previous history of cardiovascular events was more frequent in group 2 (11.1% vs. 35.3%, p = 0.03). Cardiac catheterization was performed before discharge in 88.8% and 88.2% in groups 1 and 2 respectively (p = NS); no differences were found in coronary anatomy between the two groups. Angioplasty was performed in 54.2% in group 1 and 50% in group 2 (p = NS). There were no differences in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (83.3% vs. 87.5%), beta-blockers (87.5% vs. 87.5%), nitrates (37.5% vs. 33.3%), aspirin (95.8% vs. 95.8%), statins (79.1% vs. 75%) or diuretics (20.8% vs. 45.8%). There was no significant difference in LVF recovery between patients randomized to FUP or GC (38.5% vs. 54.5%). 87.5% of patients who completed the CRP had normal EF at one year compared to 32.7% of patients not referred to the program (p = 0.009). Although EF improved in both groups, this improvement was greater in patients who completed a CRP (EF 8% vs. 5%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A previous cardiovascular event and completion of a CRP were the only variables that influenced LVF recovery. Thus, enrollment in a CRP, in addition to standard therapy, could be an important therapeutic measure in patients with systolic dysfunction after ACS; our data suggest that these programs should be more widely used.     

Uveal melanoma radiation. 125I brachytherapy versus helium ion irradiation

The optimum radiation therapy for uveal melanoma is uncertain. Both helium ion irradiation and 125I brachytherapy have been used to treat this neoplasm. This investigation analyzed the control and complication rates of uveal melanomas treated with helium ions of 125I plaques. In both a retrospective and a prospective dynamically balanced study, the control rates appeared to be similar. There were more posterior segment complications after 125I plaques and more anterior segment complications, including neovascular glaucoma, after helium ion irradiation. The follow-up period is too short to draw definitive conclusions on the radiation complications. Overall, approximately 89% of eyes were retained and less than 4% of treated eyes were removed because of failure to control the tumor.     

Value of tele-thermographic studies in the diagnosis of head and neck diseases

The tele-thermographic examinations are of non-invasive character, they can be repeated any time and may be applied also for check-up examinations. The fact that they are evaluated together with other completing clinical examinations (X-ray, scintigraphy, ultrasonography, biopsy etc.) gives the objective significance and value of the examination. According to the author's observation the tele-thermography provides important help in the diagnostics of cervico-facial tumors, in the demonstration of metastases before the operation and detection of postoperative recurrences, in the follow-up of the patient's condition at the period of irradiation- or cytostatic therapy gives exact information in dermatology on the biological activity and extent of malignant melanoma. The treatment of persons with burn- or frostbite injuries requires it equally and good information may be obtained by its use on the condition of blood circulation in cases of vascular obstruction and vascular anomalies.     

The effect of apomorphine on regional cerebral blood flow in schizophrenia

A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of the effects of apomorphine on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during a prefrontal cortex activation task was undertaken to explore the role of dopamine on cortical function. The subjects were eight drug-free, chronically psychotic patients; six patients had schizophrenia. In each, apomorphine increased the relative prefrontal flow. The results suggest that enhanced prefrontal dopamine activity may reverse deficits in prefrontal cortex metabolism in schizophrenia.