Implementation of a triage monitoring program for internal exposure to short-lived radionuclides in Israel-challenges and recommendations.

Monitoring internal exposure to short-lived radionuclides is challenging, due to the frequent measurements required. ISO Standard 16 637 and the Swiss Personal Dosimetry Ordinance describe a screening measurement (triage monitoring) conducted in the workplace to identify workers suspected of internal exposure. Based on a previous study that examined the feasibility of using several commonly found radiation monitors in Israel in a triage monitoring program, we conducted a pilot study towards the implementation of triage monitoring in nuclear medicine facilities in Israel. The pilot study was conducted while considering the current Israeli regulations and local safety culture. We implemented the triage monitoring program in three nuclear medicine facilities in Israel, with a total of 55 monitored workers. The pilot study consisted of two stages: a short-term stage conducted in the largest manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals in Israel and a long-term stage in two nuclear medicine departments in Israel. During the first stage of the study, participants were asked to conduct a daily measurement at the end of the workday and send a urine sample to the national internal dosimetry laboratory. The second stage lasted 5 months in a major hospital and 18 months in a regional hospital. The workers were asked to perform the measurement at the end of the shift and send a urine sample if a defined threshold had been crossed. The mean participation rate in the long-term stage (>70%) indicates that implementation of the triage monitoring program could be successful in Israel. Based on the findings of the study, practical recommendations are listed: suitable monitoring devices, allocating a monitoring location, time of measurement, training of the workers, record keeping and coordination with a certified dosimetry laboratory. The pilot study recommendations were submitted to the Israel Institute for Occupational Safety and Hygiene at the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services.

Folliculitis ulerythematosus reticulata: a report of four cases and brief review of the literature.

Folliculitis ulerythematosus reticulata (FUR) is an uncommon genodermatosis best classified as one of the keratosis pilaris atrophicans group of disorders. It is characterized by erythema and follicular plugging of the cheeks that evolves into honeycomb atrophy. Associated cutaneous and visceral abnormalities can occur. This report describes four patients with FUR, one with an unaffected twin, a finding not previously reported. The significance of an early and accurate diagnosis is emphasized.

Severe infantile epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Dowling-Meara type.

We encountered eight patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) simplex of the Dowling-Meara type, who presented in infancy with severe blistering and were originally clinically thought to have recessive dystrophic EB. One infant died in the neonatal period, and the others have had reduced blistering with advancing age. However, in two of the three older patients, the development of severe disabling hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles has been a prominent feature. The correct diagnosis of EB simplex was initially not made in five patients, because, on routine histologic examination, the blister was apparently subepidermal. Electron microscopy confirmed the correct diagnosis of EB simplex by demonstration of basal cell cytolysis. There was clumping of tonofilaments in seven patients. Immunofluorescence demonstrated a cleft above the basal layer in three cases. The findings of severe extensive blistering at birth that improves with age, milia formation, acral distribution with herpetiform groups of blisters in older children, intraoral lesions, absence of scarring, and intraepidermal clefting due to basal cell cytolysis and clumping of tonofilaments within these basal cells as seen on electron microscopic examination present a subtype of EB simplex similar to that described by Dowling and Meara. This has been recognized in the European but not in the American literature and is probably more frequent than has been previously reported.