Calibration of a TLD-100 powder dosimetric system to verify the absorbed dose to water imparted by 137Cs sources in low dose rate brachytherapy at the oncology unit in the Hospital General de Mexico.

A thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) system was characterised at SSDL-ININ to verify the air-kerma strength (S(K)) and dose-to-water (D(W)) values for (137)Cs sources used in low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy treatments at the Hospital General de Mexico (HGM). It consists of a Harshaw 3500 reader and a set of TLD-100 powder capsules. The samples of TLD-100 powder were calibrated in terms of D(W) vs. nC or nC mg(-1), and their dose response curves were corrected for supralinearity. The D(W) was calculated using the AAPM TG-43 formalism using S(K) for a CDCSM4 (137)Cs reference source. The S(K) value was obtained by using a NE 2611 chamber, and with two well chambers. The angular anisotropy factor was measured with the NE 2611 chamber for this source. The HGM irradiated TLD-100 powder capsules to a reference dose D(W) of 2 Gy with their (137)Cs sources. The percent deviations between the imparted and reference doses were 1.2% < or = Delta < or = 6.5%, which are consistent with the combined uncertainties: 5.6% < or = u(c) < or = 9.8% for D(W).

[Giant mesenchymal tumor of the vulva with atypical clinical evolution]. / Tumor mesenquinmatoso gigante de la vulva con comportamiento clínico atípico.

Mixed mesenchymal tumors of the vulva are rare lesions. On other hand, aggressive angiomyxoma is a recently characterized neoplasm occurring principally in the pelvic soft-tissues and showing propensity for local recurrence. The benign soft-tissue tumors are small than malign neoplasm, mimicking and often are misdiagnosed as cysts of Bartholin's gland. In this report we describe one case of a benign, giant and atypical mixed mesenchymal tumor of the vulva and its particular clinical characteristics.

[Cicatricial, antibacterial and antimycotic effects of tepescohuite in experimental animals]. / Efectos cicatrizante, antibacteriano y antimicótico del tepescohuite en animales de experimentación.

The cicatricial and antibacterial effects of the sterile powder of the barks of tepescohuite (Mimosa tenuiflora), 2% mupirocin ointment, and 0.9% saline were compared. The experiment was performed in rabbits with chemically induced burns clinically, histopathologically, bacteriologically, and mycologically controlled. No statistically significant difference was found among the three treatment modalities. Due to the potentially hepatotoxic effects and low therapeutic efficacy of tepescohuite it should not be used in human beings.

[Primary amebic meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri in an adolescent from Huetamo, Michoacan, Mexico]. / Meningoencefalitis amibiana primaria por Naegleria fowleri en un adolescente de Huetamo, Michoacán, México.

A 13 year old boy died after a three day illness with severe headache, explosive vomiting, fever and progressive loss of consciousness. The autopsy revealed purulent and necrotizing meningoencephalitis mainly involving the basal regions and posterior fossa and on microscopic examination numerous trophozoites of Naegleria were seen in the meninges and necrotic brain tissue. The trophozoites were identified as Naegleria fowleri by immunoperoxidase staining. This case as well as others previously reported in Mexico and the documented presence of Naegleria species from several sources indicate that primary amebic meningoencephalitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases with neurological symptoms of sudden onset.

[Subcutaneous cysticercosis. 8 cases in children]. / Cisticercosis subcutánea. Informe de ocho casos en niños

Observations in eight patients with subcutaneous or submucous cysticercosis studied at the "Hospital del Nino, IMAN", between November 1970 and June 1975 are reported; the age of the patients varied between 4 and 14 years; six of them were females and 2 were males. One of the patients was found to have C. cellulosae in the central nervous system as well. In the presence of subcutaneous and submucous nodules, cysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis, and anatomic and histopathological documentation should be sought; in cases in which cysticercosis is verified, the patient should be carefully studied, to rule out the presence of C. cellulosae in other locations, mainly the central nervous system.