The Effect of a Radiation Positioning Stent (RPS) in the Reduction of Radiation Dosage to the Opposing Jaw and Maintenance of Mouth opening after Radiation Therapy.

The effect of a radiation positioning stent (RPS) in radiation dosage reduction to the opposing jaw and maintenance of mouth opening was audited. 55 Head and Neck cancer patients who received radiotherapy were reviewed. Radiation dosages at similar points in the primary/opposing jaws were measured along with the mouth opening. Results showed a significant reduction in the radiation dosage to the opposing jaw in patients given the RPS. Mouth opening was generally maintained in patients given the RPS (77.7% improvement in mouth opening) compared to patients without RPS. Patients undergoing radiotherapy who had an RPS showed a significant reduction in radiation dosage to the opposing jaw and maintained their mouth opening in the short-term.

Hepatitis E virus in blood components: a prevalence and transmission study in southeast England.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 infections in the English population (including blood donors) is unknown, but is probably widespread, and the virus has been detected in pooled plasma products. HEV-infected donors have been retrospectively identified through investigation of reported cases of possible transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E. The frequency of HEV transmission by transfusion and its outcome remains unknown. We report the prevalence of HEV RNA in blood donations, the transmission of the virus through a range of blood components, and describe the resulting morbidity in the recipients. METHODS: From Oct 8, 2012, to Sept 30, 2013, 225,000 blood donations that were collected in southeast England were screened retrospectively for HEV RNA. Donations containing HEV were characterised by use of serology and genomic phylogeny. Recipients, who received any blood components from these donations, were identified and the outcome of exposure was ascertained. FINDINGS: 79 donors were viraemic with genotype 3 HEV, giving an RNA prevalence of one in 2848. Most viraemic donors were seronegative at the time of donation. The 79 donations had been used to prepare 129 blood components, 62 of which had been transfused before identification of the infected donation. Follow-up of 43 recipients showed 18 (42%) had evidence of infection. Absence of detectable antibody and high viral load in the donation rendered infection more likely. Recipient immunosuppression delayed or prevented seroconversion and extended the duration of viraemia. Three recipients cleared longstanding infection after intervention with ribavirin or alteration in immunosuppressive therapy. Ten recipients developed prolonged or persistent infection. Transaminitis was common, but short-term morbidity was rare; only one recipient developed apparent but clinically mild post-transfusion hepatitis. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that HEV genotype 3 infections are widespread in the English population and in blood donors. Transfusion-transmitted infections rarely caused acute morbidity, but in some immunosuppressed patients became persistent. Although at present blood donations are not screened, an agreed policy is needed for the identification of patients with persistent HEV infection, irrespective of origin, so that they can be offered antiviral therapy. FUNDING: Public Health England and National Health Service Blood and Transplant.