Viewpoints to consider in the development of MLC and IMRT programs.

Operational and administrative considerations for the development and implementation of either multileaf collimation (MLC) or non-MLC-based intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) will be discussed with respect to the impact that this will have on a radiation oncology department. The methodologies that are used in the development process will be reviewed in both the operational and administrative components. Operational issues addressing the potential clinical impact the department will experience, along with the beneficial outcome for the patients, will be major points in this review process. Administrative considerations generally focus on the financial impact that the department and hospital will have to deal with in determining cost benefits of this capital expenditure. This overview will focus on some key discussion points with the incorporation of MLC and IMRT into a radiation oncology department treatment program.

[Choroid metastases in metastatic breast cancer--a rare metastatic site]. / Aderhautmetastasen beim metastasierenden Mammakarzinom--Eine seltene Metastasenlokalisation.

Between 1985 and 1989, four patients with uvea metastases of breast cancers were treated in the Dept. of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the University of the Saar, Medical School, in Homburg/Saar. One of these patients developed binocular metastases. The patient's age at the primary diagnosis of breast cancer was 48 years (median), the others were in pre- or peri-menopausal status. Uvea metastases appeared in median five years after primary diagnosis, always in coincidence with at least one more metastasis of different localisation. All cases with uvea metastases have been treated by radiation therapy with 40 gy reference dose. In three out of five cases, complete remission of the visus restriction could be achieved. In a further case, a temporary partial remission occurred. Two relapses were observed after remission induction, one and four years after treatment respectively.

New methods of examining gamma camera collimators.

New methods are proposed and described to examine the quality of gamma camera collimators in two special performance categories, namely, uniformity in regional efficiency and regional variations in channel tilt. These two performances are critical areas for SPECT imaging. Results obtained from experimental and commercial collimators illustrate the variability seen for these performance characteristics in currently available collimators.

[Cogans's syndrome in childhood (author's transl)]. / Cogan-Syndrom im Kindesalter

A case--report is given of a patient with Cogan's syndrome in childhood. This syndrome consists of non-syphilitic interstitial keratitis and vestibuloauditory symptoms. Visual loss is rare but hearing loss is rapidly progressive. A relation to autoimmune diseases especially to panarteriitis nodosa has been suggested by a number of authors.