ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To test a new hypothesis that the glue/contrast admixture used for embolisation reduces the dose delivered to AVMs using an experimental model. METHOD: A model was created using a block of "solid water" (6 x 5 x 2 cm) with twelve wells of different depths. Different concentrations of the glue admixture (Enbucrilate + Lipiodol) were used. The model was irradiated using a 5MV beam with a clinical LINAC system and the dose was checked upstream and downstream. Dose was measured using Kodak XV film, a Vidar 16 bit film scanner and software for therapeutic film dosimetry measurements (RIT software). RESULTS: The radiation dose varied with the distance beyond the glue solid water interface. For distances of 0, 2 and 5 mm to the film, the mean reduction was 13.65% (SD = 2.94), 6.87% (SD = 1.95) and 1.75% (SD = 1.14), respectively. There was also correlation with the Lipiodol concentration in the mixture. The maximum reductions for 80, 50 and 20% Lipiodol concentrations were 16.1% (SD = 1.32), 14.85% (SD = 0.98) and 10% (SD = 1.21), respectively. There was no correlation between the glue depth and the dose delivered. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis that the glue mixture used for embolisation reduces the radiation dose delivered was experimentally confirmed with this study.
Subject(s)
Arteriovenous Malformations/therapy , Contrast Media/pharmacology , Embolization, Therapeutic , Enbucrilate/pharmacology , Iodized Oil/pharmacology , Radiation Dosage , Film Dosimetry , Humans , Models, Cardiovascular , RadiosurgeryABSTRACT
The superior vena cava obstruction is a relatively rare condition. We report the case of a 42 year old man suffering of hypertension for about fifteen years. He reported a cervical and thoracic pain for one year, that was related to a 95% of occlusion on the right coronary artery. An angioplasty has been done but the patient still related the thoracic pain. Afterwards the patient had recurrent episodes of right hemiplegia and hypertensive emergencies that have been treated with anti-hypertensive agents. A venous disease was suspected because of cyanosis in the face especially when episodes of transient ischemic attacks occurred. A venography showed obstruction of the right jugular vein near the junction with the superior vena cava. In conclusion, it was not possible to define with certainty the relationship between the two pathologies presented by the patient, even so, we call attention to the improvement of the neurological symptoms after the control of superior vena cava obstruction with the treatment.