ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: "Minimal treatment strategy" is desirable in certain breast cancer patients. The main objective of the present study is to examine the use of interstitial laser thermotherapy (laserthermia) for this purpose. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with primary breast cancer were treated with laserthermia using the Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) pulse-wave laser. In 28 patients, laserthermia was performed before radical resection, and in seven patients it was the only invasive treatment. RESULTS: One gaseous rupture of tumor occurred at 3 Watts. The diameter of single focus of laser-induced damage after 1-2 Watts was less than 1 cm, and after 2.5-6 Watts it reached 1.5-2.5 cm. Of seven patients treated without surgery, local tumor control was achieved in five, and in three stage I-III patients disease-free survival followed for 19-60 months. After laserthermia plus surgery, 3-year disease-free survival was 27% in premenopausal and 92% in menopausal patients. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that laser destruction of relatively small primary breast cancer is possible. Provisionally, laserthermia should not be used in premenopausal patients.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Hyperthermia, Induced , Laser Therapy , Adult , Aged , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Chi-Square Distribution , Computer Simulation , Disease-Free Survival , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Female , Humans , Lasers/adverse effects , Middle Aged , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
A one-dimensional mathematical model has been developed for the thermal malignant tumor damage caused by Nd:YAG laser infrared radiation through a light guide. The model is based on the transient thermal conduction equation and considers the effects of intratissue blood flow, tissue radiation absorption, phase transition (evaporation) and varying tissue thermal tolerance. Examples of computer-aided numerical calculations are presented. A relation of the sizes of the specific areas of thermal tumor tissue damage to the magnitude of radiation, treatment time, blood flow rates, and tissue thermal tolerance is shown. The calculation results are compared with the experimental data obtained on laboratory animals. The calculation model and programme are proposed to be clinically used while planning laser interstitial thermal therapy for human malignant tumors.
Subject(s)
Hyperthermia, Induced/methods , Laser Therapy , Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy , Neoplasms/therapy , Animals , Cats , Computer Simulation , Dogs , Humans , Mice , Models, Theoretical , Rats , SwineABSTRACT
In the article is presented the echographic semiotics of the forearm interosseous membrane, based on the results of 10 forearm examinations. Qualitative echographic parameters, describing the forearm interosseous membrane geometry in different biomechanical situations, have been analysed. It has been determined that the ultrasound echography permits to visualize for certain the forearm interosseous membrane. As the criteria of the membrane geometry can be used such indicators as its area and profile height. Ultrasound echography permits to detect interosseous membrane tissue strain in case of forearm rotation and external compression in interosseous space, due to which its elasticity is evaluated.
Subject(s)
Forearm/diagnostic imaging , Membranes/diagnostic imaging , Radius/diagnostic imaging , Ulna/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Posture , Reference Values , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
Anatomical and echographic data have been compared in 35 mature human kidneys. Ultrasound anatomy of the kidney has been verified. It has been stated that the central part of the renal echogram is occupied by the zone of intensive echosignals, that corresponds not to the calyceal complex, as it had been considered previously, but to the renal sinus. The renal sinus filled with fatty tissue and small arterial and venous vessels, their diameter is below the resolving power of the ultrasound device, is visualized as fused intensive echosignals of an elongated form, when the renal scanning is longitudinal, and as oval or round -- when the scanning is transversal. The calyceal-pelvic complex, filled with liquor, is presented as an anechogenic branching structure, situating within the zone of an increased echogeneity. The echographic picture of the calyceal-pelvic complex is always fragmentary: as small anechogenic areas in the hyperechogenic zone mentioned (the small pelvic calyces), or an excentrically situated anechogenic zone near the hilus renalis (the renal pelvis). In order to make the echographic investigations more accurate, it is necessary to follow certain methodical requirements, anatomical comparisons including.
