Accelerated partial breast irradiation using interstitial high dose rate iridium brachytherapy: Early Australian experience and review of the literature.

Summary Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is an evolving new technique of adjuvant irradiation in selected women with early-stage breast cancer. We developed a pilot programme of APBI in 2000 and report end results in seven patients followed for a mean of 42.7 months (range 29-55 months). Good to excellent cosmesis and no loco-regional relapse or systemic metastases have occurred. The literature related to APBI is reviewed.

Comparative analysis of pattern, management and outcome of pre- versus postnatally diagnosed major congenital heart disease: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: Most pregnant women in New South Wales undergo obstetric ultrasound examination, including some assessment of fetal cardiac anatomy. We aimed to review the spectrum of cardiac defects, management and outcome data of all fetuses with diagnosis of major congenital heart disease between 1994 and 1996 and compare them to major congenital heart disease in infants born during the same 3-year study period. METHODS: Descriptive comprehensive study of the New South Wales population. Study centers included the single fetal echocardiographic referral service and the two pediatric cardiac centers of New South Wales. RESULTS: Ninety-seven fetuses and 562 infants with major congenital heart disease were identified (240,000 livebirths), resulting in a prenatal detection rate of 15%. Anomalies detectable by cardiac four-chamber views were diagnosed at an average rate of 30% (68/229) in utero. By contrast, lesions associated with abnormal ventricular outflow and great artery views were detected in only 6.7% (29/430; P < 0.0001) of cases prior to birth. Of the 97 fetuses, 29 were aborted, 16 died in utero, and 9 died early postnatally without treatment. Within 2 weeks of age, 23% with fetal and 40% (P < 0.05) with infant major congenital heart disease diagnosis required an intervention, mainly for patent ductus arteriosus dependent lesions. Postnatal survival was similar for the fetal and infant series up to 2 years of age: 77% (95% confidence interval 64-90%) vs. 85% (95% confidence interval 82-88%). CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal diagnosis has important implications for pregnancy outcome, in particular for univentricular lesions. However, the present mode of obstetric routine ultrasound scanning fails to identify most ductus arteriosus dependent cardiac lesions with a predictable need for early postnatal intervention.

Three-dimensional quantitative echocardiographic assessment of ventricular volume in healthy human fetuses and in fetuses with congenital heart disease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of three-dimensional freehand echocardiographic assessment of ventricular volumetry in healthy fetuses and in fetuses with congenital heart disease. The study was approved by the hospital institutional review board. After echocardiographic examination by conventional ultrasonographic equipment interfaced with a magnetic tracking system, three-dimensional cardiac data were collected prospectively in 57 fetuses. Ventricular volumes were determined from three-dimensional data sets, and 22 fetuses with congenital heart disease were compared with 29 healthy fetuses. A multiple regression analysis of covariance was performed to assess between-group differences. Gated three-dimensional volume data sets enabled assessment of ventricular volumes in 51 of the 57 fetuses. Both fetuses with and without congenital heart disease had exponential increases in cardiac volumes during gestation. In fetuses with congenital heart disease and a marked inequality of ventricular size but no heart failure, the combined end-diastolic and stroke volumes of both ventricles were found to be significantly reduced compared with controls with no disease and fetuses with other types of congenital heart disease. Three-dimensional imaging can provide estimates of ventricular volume changes in fetal hearts with abnormal ventricular morphology that cannot easily be performed by two-dimensional echocardiography, and it may provide insight into evolving congenital heart disease.

Transesophageal echocardiographic guidance of blade atrial septostomy in children.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used to guide blade atrial septostomy in children requiring decompression of right or left atrium. In conjunction with biplane fluoroscopy, TEE was used to position the blade septostomy catheter and to monitor the pullback from left atrium to right atrium. Subsequent balloon dilatation of atrial septum was also carried out under TEE control. The use of TEE monitoring facilitated the procedure by providing optimal views of intracardiac structures while also limiting the total radiation exposure.

Successful radiofrequency ablation in an infant with drug-resistant permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia.

Over the past decade, the technique of radiofrequency ablation has evolved substantially. Currently, most forms of cardiac arrhythmias seen in children can be treated with good long-term results and low risk of adverse outcome. Curative arrhythmia treatment with this technique, however, is still uncommon in neonates and infants. Reported here is our experience in the management of an 8-week-old with drug-resistant permanent junctional reciprocating tachycardia.

Retrospective comparison of the Amplatz thrombectomy device with modified pulse-spray pharmacomechanical thrombolysis in the treatment of thrombosed hemodialysis access grafts.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the Amplatz thrombectomy device (ATD) in the treatment of thrombosed hemodialysis grafts and compare it with modified pulse-spray pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 4-month period, 79 patients presented with 126 episodes of graft occlusion. Percutaneous recanalization was performed by using the ATD (n = 57) or the modified PPT technique (n = 69). Evaluation included the technical success, complications, and primary patency rates. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 93% (53 to 57) of the cases treated with the ATD and in 96% (66 of 69) of the cases treated with modified PPT (P = .70). Complications occurred in 6% (four of 69) of modified PPT procedures and 16% (nine of 57) of ATD procedures. This difference was not statistically significant (P = .08); however, there were significantly more local complications in the ATD group (P = .04). The primary patency rates at 30, 90, and 180 days were 65% and 65%, 36% and 50%, and 26% and 33% for modified PPT and ATD, respectively. Survival curves were found not to differ significantly (P = .49). CONCLUSION: The ATD and modified PPT were similarly successful in the recanalization of thrombosed hemodialysis access grafts and achieved comparable primary patency rates. The higher rate of local complications and technical difficulties encountered with use of the 8-F ATD limit its usefulness for this indication.

Simplified single patch technique for the repair of atrioventricular septal defect.

OBJECTIVE: Because of the complexity of traditional 1- and 2-patch techniques for the repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect, we modified our repair technique to avoid the use of any ventricular septal patch material. We report our prospective experience with this simplified 1-patch technique. METHOD: Forty-seven consecutive patients between May 1995 and August 1998 underwent repair with the use of this technique without modification. Repair was done in all patients by direct suturing of the common atrioventricular valve leaflets to the crest of the ventricular septum. No division of valve leaflets was necessary. A single pericardial patch was used to close the defect in the atrial septal component. Follow-up included electrocardiography and echocardiographic assessment of ventricular function, atrioventricular valve function, and adequacy of the left ventricular outflow tract. RESULTS: There were 2 deaths (4%), only 1 cardiac related, in the series. There were 17 male patients and 30 female patients. Mean age at repair was 5.6 months (median, 3.4 months). Associated lesions were repaired in 19 patients (40%). Mean follow-up was 1.85 years (median, 1.9 years). There was no heart block. There were no significant residual ventricular septal defects detected and no left ventricular outflow tract obstruction seen on echocardiography in any patient to date. Mitral valve status after operation was assessed as no incompetence in 13 patients (28%), minimal in 19 patients (40%), mild in 12 patients (26%), and moderate in 3 patients (6%). CONCLUSION: The repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect by direct suturing of the atrioventricular valve leaflets to the crest of the ventricular septum with a single-patch technique greatly simplifies the repair and does not lead to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction nor interfere with valve function.

Endovascular stent placement for angioplasty-induced venous rupture related to the treatment of hemodialysis grafts.

PURPOSE: To assess the use of endovascular stents for treating rupture after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the maintenance of hemodialysis grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 1, 1994, to August 1, 1997, 683 hemodialysis-related angioplasty procedures were performed on 277 patients to treat thrombosed or poorly functioning polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hemodialysis bridge grafts. In each of these procedures, angioplasty of the venous anastomosis or the outflow vein was performed. This study is a retrospective review to analyze uncovered endovascular stents placed to treat ruptures after PTA. RESULTS: Fourteen ruptures were treated with use of an uncovered metal stent. Stent placement was technically successful in 11 of 14 patients, with clinical success in 11 of 14 cases. The primary patencies at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days were calculated by means of Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis; these were 63%, 54%, 46%, and 46%, respectively. The secondary patencies at 60, 120, and 180 days were 85%, 75%, and 75%, respectively. No complications were attributable to stent placement. The results are comparable to those of stents placed for reasons other than rupture, and support the efficacy of their use for this indication. CONCLUSION: Endovascular stent placement is a safe and effective means of salvaging angioplasty-induced rupture that occurs during the treatment of hemodialysis grafts.

Aggressive cutaneous malignancies following cardiothoracic transplantation: the Australian experience.

BACKGROUND: The development of malignancies in recipients of a cardiothoracic transplant (CTT)--that is, heart, lung, or heart and lung recipients-is of concern. Cutaneous and lymphoproliferative malignancies comprise the two major groups of malignancies encountered. A small subgroup of patients will develop potentially life-threatening aggressive cutaneous malignancies (ACM); these are poorly defined and documented in the literature. The authors report the results for 619 CTT recipients from a single institution. METHODS: Between 1984 and 1995, 619 recipients received a CTT. With a minimum follow-up of 2 years, 66 patients (10.7%) were diagnosed with a major malignancy, and 27 of these 66 patients developed ACM. ACM were defined as having one or more of the following characteristics: local invasion and/or regional metastases at diagnosis, poor differentiation, and locoregional and/or systemic relapse following therapy. All malignant melanomas were considered ACM. Data on malignancy occurrence were documented in the clinical notes of the heart and lung transplant unit. A retrospective analysis was undertaken from these notes. RESULTS: Tumor histology was predominantly poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (55%) (SCC) and malignant melanoma (30%) (MM). No patient developed Kaposi sarcoma (KS). The median time from transplant to diagnosis of ACM was 52 months (range, 8-127 months). Thirteen of 27 patients have died; 10 of them died of metastatic disease. The mean time to death was 20 months (range, 8-54 months). Of 14 patients alive, 5 have disease. All but one of the 19 patients diagnosed with nonmelanoma ACM received radiotherapy, either as part of initial treatment or on relapse. Eight patients have subsequently suffered an infield relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The development of ACM in CTT recipients resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality. Poor results were obtained with standard surgery and radiotherapy. Treatment modalities for and the underlying pathobiology of ACM in organ transplant recipients require detailed research if improved outcomes are to be achieved.

Hemodialysis graft mechanical thrombolysis with use of the Amplatz Thrombectomy Device: histopathologic evaluation of extracted myointimal tissue.

PURPOSE: To histopathologically evaluate material extracted from thrombosed hemodialysis access grafts by the Amplatz Thrombectomy Device (ATD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thrombosed hemodialysis access grafts were recanalized with use of crossed catheter technique with introduction of the ATD through 8-F sheaths. After removal of the ATD from the introducer sheath, the tip of the device was visually inspected. Discernible tissue in the impeller/housing mechanism was gently extracted with a hemostat and preserved in formalin. Specimens were evaluated histologically with hematoxylin-eosin and smooth muscle immunoperoxidase stains. RESULTS: The ATD was utilized in 18 patients with acutely thrombosed grafts. Sufficient tissue for pathologic evaluation was extracted from 10 devices. Histopathologic analysis yielded findings of fibrotic myointima in all 10 cases with positive smooth muscle stains. CONCLUSIONS: The unexpected, although consistent, finding of intimal and myointimal tissue fragments in the impeller/housing mechanism of the ATD raises questions with respect to the mechanism of tissue extraction and concerns regarding the use of the device in native vessels. Further studies are indicated to determine whether this apparent intimal injury will have a deleterious effect on vessel patency.

Patency of Wallstents placed across the venous anastomosis of hemodialysis grafts after percutaneous recanalization.

PURPOSE: To determine the patency of Wallstents placed across the venous anastomosis of prosthetic bridge grafts after percutaneous graft recanalization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wallstents were placed across 26 lesions at the venous anastomosis of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts in 25 patients (11 men, 14 women; age range, 29-83 years; mean age, 65.4 years) after pulse-spray pharmacomechanical thrombolysis. Indications for stent deployment included acute angioplasty failure, rapid restenosis, and vessel perforation. RESULTS: The initial success rate was 100%. The mean primary graft patency rates (+/- standard error) at 3 and 6 months were 34% +/- 9 and 27% +/- 9, respectively. Secondary patency rates were 77% +/- 8 at 3 months, 72% +/- 9 at 6 months, and 50% +/- 10 at 12 months. Eight of the 26 grafts continued to be used for hemodialysis at the end of follow-up. CONCLUSION: After angioplasty failure or vessel perforation, Wallstent placement at the venous anastomosis of recanalized PTFE grafts can salvage hemodialysis access function. The results of this study indicate that the 1-year secondary patency rate of these grafts is 50%, which approaches the reported rates of patency after balloon dilation as part of percutaneous graft recanalization.

Sonographically guided placement of peripherally inserted central venous catheters: review of 355 procedures.

OBJECTIVE: This paper reviews our experience using sonographic guidance in the insertion of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three hundred fifty-five PICCs were placed in 262 patients, 19-92 years old, over a 24-month period using sonographic guidance for the initial venous cannulation. RESULTS: The average number of punctures was 1.2, with an average procedure time of 21 min. Our overall success rate to achieve the initial venous access was 99%. I.v. contrast material was used in only 2% of the cases, after successful initial venous access with sonographic guidance alone, to allow demonstration of anatomic variations or lesions that interfered with the completion of the procedure. Two immediate minor complications occurred. A high margin of safety was provided by avoiding the use of iodinated contrast medium and by visualizing the artery and its anatomic relation to the vein before and during needle placement. CONCLUSION: Sonographic guidance yielded superior three-dimensional localization of the selected vein and its precise anatomic relationship to the artery. Our experience has led us to conclude that sonographically guided placement of PICCs is a fast, safe, efficient, and inexpensive technique and should be the preferred method for PICC placement, especially in patients with no clinically identifiable peripheral vein.

Managing HIV. Part 5: Treating secondary outcomes. 5.13 HIV-related lymphoma and other malignancies.

Treating systemic malignancies requires specialist skill and experience, with active treatment often providing the best initial palliation of symptoms. A full management plan involving general practitioner, patient and others is essential at this stage of HIV disease.

Dosimetry of high energy electron therapy to the parotid region.

Well-known inadequacies in currently available electron planning systems, and two cases of temporal lobe necrosis following electron therapy of the parotid stimulated a comprehensive head and neck phantom dosimetric study of the use of high energy electrons for parotid treatments. A typical electron field employed for the treatment of parotid malignancy was examined in an anthropomorphic head phantom from which air cavities had been excavated. Thermoluminescent dosimeter measurements were compared with predicted point doses obtained from a Theraplan Treatment planning system (V05). Data was examined for three different electron energies: 12, 16 and 20 MeV and with the addition of contoured bolus for 20 MeV. A number of significant discrepancies between the measured and predicted dose were observed. Measured doses were seen to exceed predicted doses by up to 23% in the temporal lobe. Further under-predictions of dose were found behind the mandible and in the nasal cavity. Over-predictions of dose by the planning algorithm of up to 22% were observed beside the oropharynx. Some of these discrepancies were found to relate to Theraplan under-estimation of the dose in the fall-off region. Other errors are attributable to the difficulties in predicting dose at density interfaces. Localised over- and under-predictions of this magnitude must be accounted for by the clinician prescribing treatment in terms of possible late effects on the temporal lobe and, in particular, the nominated dose specification point.