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1.
Ugeskr Laeger ; 186(17)2024 Apr 22.
Article Da | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38704711

Non-traumatic fractures due to seizures are an overlooked diagnostic group. It is well known that patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures have an increased trauma risk. However, the cause of fracture is rarely due to the violent forces of muscle contractions. Usually, the primary patient examination focuses on the aetiology of the seizure, which sometimes delays the diagnosis of fractures. This is a case report of a 19-year-old woman who sustained three compression fractures of the thoracic spine due to a generalized tonic-clonic seizure, and a discussion of the diagnostic challenges in such a rare case.


Fractures, Compression , Spinal Fractures , Thoracic Vertebrae , Humans , Female , Spinal Fractures/diagnostic imaging , Spinal Fractures/complications , Spinal Fractures/diagnosis , Young Adult , Fractures, Compression/diagnostic imaging , Fractures, Compression/etiology , Fractures, Compression/diagnosis , Fractures, Compression/complications , Thoracic Vertebrae/injuries , Thoracic Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging , Seizures/etiology , Seizures/diagnosis , Fractures, Multiple/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic/etiology , Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic/diagnosis
2.
BMJ Case Rep ; 17(4)2024 Apr 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38569736

A healthy man in his late 20s was admitted to the emergency department due to a flare-up in his severe chronic stomatitis, along with flu-like symptoms. CXR showed multiple bilateral consolidations and subsequent CT revealed thrombosis of the left facial and internal jugular vein, together with septic embolism in both lungs. Blood cultures showed penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus The patient was diagnosed with Lemierre's syndrome, despite atypical bacteria and clinical presentation. During hospitalisation, he developed pulmonary empyema as a complication and was admitted for 4 weeks. During hospitalisation and after discharge, the patient was examined for multiple rheumatic, immunological and dermatological diseases, but no underlying cause for Lemierre's syndrome has been found. We present this case due to the rarity of its nature, with atypical clinical presentation and pathogen for Lemierre's syndrome, but with classic radiological findings.


COVID-19 , Lemierre Syndrome , Staphylococcal Infections , Male , Humans , Staphylococcus aureus , Lemierre Syndrome/complications , Lemierre Syndrome/drug therapy , Lemierre Syndrome/diagnosis , Penicillins/therapeutic use , COVID-19/complications , Staphylococcal Infections/complications , Staphylococcal Infections/diagnosis , Staphylococcal Infections/drug therapy
3.
Cancers (Basel) ; 14(11)2022 May 26.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35681613

BACKGROUND: Endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) is an important tool when evaluating complex rectal adenomas and rectal cancer, and the accuracy is improved by adding elastography measurements. A high interobserver agreement is imperative in clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate interobserver agreement assessed on real-time images. Additionally, we investigated the intra- and interobserver agreement between experienced and inexperienced observers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively included patients referred to an ERUS at the Department of Radiology with a complex rectal polyp or suspected rectal malignancy. Two operators independently scanned each patient in turn. Furthermore, four observers assessed previously obtained images using three different methods for placing the region of interest (ROI). Three months later, the four observers reassessed the images to assess intraobserver variability. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were included for live assessment. Agreement of tumor classification was substantial for T stage (kappa: 0.86) and fair for N stage (kappa: 0.73), with an absolute agreement for T and N stages of 84% and 89%, respectively. Agreement of SWE was good for Emean (ICC 0.94, 95% CI 0.86-0.98) and fair for Emax (ICC 0.85, 95% CI 0.66-0.94). Intra- and interobserver agreement between inexperienced and experienced observers showed good to excellent agreement with all ROI methods. CONCLUSION: Interobserver agreement is high in SWE when performed in a clinical setting. We found the best agreement using the mean value of several ROIs. Intra- and interobserver agreement was high regardless of operator experience.

4.
Cancers (Basel) ; 13(20)2021 Oct 13.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34680269

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Europe, and accurate lymph node staging in rectal cancer patients is essential for the selection of their treatment. MRI lymph node staging is complex, and few studies have been published regarding its reproducibility. This study assesses the inter- and intraobserver variability in lymph node size, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements, and morphological characterization among inexperienced and experienced radiologists. Four radiologists with different levels of experience in MRI rectal cancer staging analyzed 36 MRI scans of 36 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. Inter- and intraobserver variation was calculated using interclass correlation coefficients and Cohens-kappa statistics, respectively. Inter- and intraobserver agreement for the length and width measurements was good to excellent, and for that of ADC it was fair to good. Interobserver agreement for the assessment of irregular border was moderate, heterogeneous signal was fair, round shape was fair to moderate, and extramesorectal lymph node location was moderate to almost perfect. Intraobserver agreement for the assessment of irregular border was fair to substantial, heterogeneous signal was fair to moderate, round shape was fair to moderate, and extramesorectal lymph node location was substantial to almost perfect. Our data indicate that subjective variables such as morphological characteristics are less reproducible than numerical variables, regardless of the level of experience of the observers.

5.
Eur J Radiol Open ; 8: 100376, 2021.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34621918

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the colon mesentery is an extremely rare neoplasm, and only a small number of cases have been reported. We describe a case of leiomyosarcoma originating in the colonic mesentery, in a 68-year-old woman. Ultrasound showed a heterogeneous mass with varying vascularization in the left fossa. Central areas of the mass were hypoechoic, without detectable vascularization. Contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of chest and abdomen showed a contrast enhanced tumour, with central non-enhanced areas. The tumour was radically resected and histopathology showed primary leiomyosarcoma. Two years after primary surgery, follow-up CECT revealed a local recurrence, which was re-resected. Subsequent follow-up CECT since have shown no sign of recurrence.

6.
J Acoust Soc Am ; 150(6): 4128, 2021 12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34972294

Quantitative elasticity estimation in medical and industrial applications may benefit from advancements in reconstruction of shear wave speed with enhanced resolution. Here, shear wave speed is reconstructed from pulse-echo ultrasound imaging of elastic waves induced by high-frequency (>400 Hz), time-harmonic mechanical excitation. Particle displacement in shear wavefields is mapped from measured interframe phase differences with compensation for timing of multiple scan lines, then processed by spatial Fourier analysis to estimate the predominant wave speed and analyzed by algebraic wavefield inversion to reconstruct wave speed maps. Reconstructions of shear wave speed from simulated wavefields illustrate the accuracy and spatial resolution available with both methods, as functions of signal-to-noise ratio and sizes of windows used for Fourier analysis or wavefield smoothing. The methods are applied to shear wavefields with frequencies up to six times the Nyquist rate, thus extending the frequency range measurable by a given imaging system. Wave speed measurements in tissue-mimicking phantoms are compared with supersonic shear imaging and mechanical tensile testing, demonstrating feasibility of the wavefield measurement and wave speed reconstruction methods employed.


Elasticity Imaging Techniques , Elasticity , Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods , Phantoms, Imaging , Signal-To-Noise Ratio , Sound
7.
BMJ Case Rep ; 13(4)2020 Apr 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32295798

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare, fulminant, potentially lethal and often debilitating presentation of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Mortality and amputations rates are high. We present a rare case of bilateral PCD in the lower extremities. A 67-year-old woman presented with newly diagnosed squamous cell cancer of unknown primary origin with lymph node metastases to the neck. The patient started curatively intended treatment, consisting of removal of one lymph node on the neck, radiotherapy with concomitant carboplatin and nimorazol. The patient developed bilateral DVT in the legs. Despite treatment with low-molecular-weight heparins, the patient developed thrombosis in the inferior vena cava and lungs. Due to developing painful discolouration and necrosis on the legs, the patient underwent acute and extensive surgery. PCD is a severe and potentially lethal form of DVT. There are several known risk factors for developing DVT, including active cancer and the use of chemotherapy.


Carboplatin/adverse effects , Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects , Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy , Leg/surgery , Thrombophlebitis/chemically induced , Venous Thrombosis/chemically induced , Aged , Female , Fibrinolytic Agents/therapeutic use , Head and Neck Neoplasms/secondary , Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight/therapeutic use , Humans , Leg/blood supply , Neoplasms, Squamous Cell , Neoplasms, Unknown Primary , Nimorazole/adverse effects , Surgical Procedures, Operative
9.
Brachytherapy ; 13(2): 146-51, 2014.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24044872

PURPOSE: To evaluate multi-institutional prostate brachytherapy dosimetric quality using multisector analysis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In the database, 4547 patients underwent brachytherapy (3094 for (125)I, 1437 for (103)Pd, and 16 for (131)Cs). The original prostate postimplant dosimetry was reported using the maximum dose covering 90% of the prostate volume (D90) and the percentage of the prostate volume covered by the prescription dose (V100). Retrospectively, the dosimetry of all implants was recalculated after segmenting the prostate into 12 sectors (anterior, left and right lateral and posterior, about the center of gravity, and subdivided lengthwise into three-base, midgland, and apex). The dosimetric quality of each sector and combinations of sectors was compared across radionuclides. RESULTS: For each radionuclide, there was no significant difference between monotherapy and boost in terms of V100 or D90. When classified as excellent (V100 ≥ 90%), standard (V100 ≥ 80%), or minimal (V100 < 80%), 33.0%, 4.6%, and 10.5% of all base, midgland, and apical sectors, respectively, were of minimal quality. Specifically, 59.2% of the anterior base and 30.3% of the posterior base sectors were minimal. At the anterior midgland and apex, 22% and 19% of sectors were minimal. Excellent quality was observed in more than 90% of lateral and posterior midgland sectors and in >70% of lateral and posterior sectors. When stratified by (103)Pd vs. (125)I, sector analysis did not result in clinically significant dosimetric differences. CONCLUSIONS: Coverage of base sectors was inferior to midgland and apical sectors, and coverage of anterior sectors was notably inferior to lateral and posterior sectors. Further critique of brachytherapy planning and intraoperative technique is necessary for brachytherapists to minimize these dosimetric differences.


Brachytherapy/standards , Databases, Factual , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Brachytherapy/methods , Humans , Intraoperative Period , Iodine Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Male , Quality Control , Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Radiometry , Retrospective Studies
10.
J Contemp Brachytherapy ; 5(3): 117-21, 2013 Sep.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24143144

PURPOSE: Periprostatic brachytherapy doses impact biochemical control. In this study, we evaluate extracapsular volumetric dosimetry following permanent prostate brachytherapy in patients entered in a multi-institutional community database. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the database, 4547 patients underwent brachytherapy (3094 - (125)I, 1437 - (103)Pd and 16 - (131)Cs). Using the originally determined prostate volume, a 5 mm, 3-dimensional peri-prostatic anulus was constructed around the prostate (except for a 2 mm posterior margin), and evaluated in its entirety and in 90° segments. Prostate dosimetric parameters consisted of a V100 and D90 while the annular dosimetry was reported as a V100. RESULTS: The intraprostatic V100 and D90 for (103)Pd, and (125)I were statistically comparable when stratified by isotope and/or monotherapy vs. boost. The overall mean V100 for the periprostatic annulus was 62.8%. The mean V100 at the base (51.6%) was substantially less than the apex (73.5%) and midgland (65.9%). In addition, for all patients, the anterior V100 (45.7%) was less than the lateral (68.8%) and the posterior (75.0%). The geometric V100 annular differences were consistent when evaluated by isotope. Overall, the V100 was higher in the (125)I cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The optimal extracapsular brachytherapy dose and radial extent remains unknown, but will prove increasingly important with reductions and/or elimination of supplemental external beam radiation therapy. The large multi-institutional community database demonstrates periprostatic annular doses that are not as robust as those in selected high volume brachytherapy centers, and may be inadequate for optimal biochemical control following monotherapeutic brachytherapy, especially in higher risk patients.

11.
Brachytherapy ; 12(3): 222-7, 2013.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23473916

PURPOSE: Achieving high-quality permanent interstitial brachytherapy in smaller prostates is thought to be more difficult than in larger glands. This study evaluates 4547 implants in a large community database to test this hypothesis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From January 2003 to October 2010, 4547 prostate brachytherapy implants from a large community database were analyzed. The cohort was divided into three groups based on size, namely smaller (<30cm(3), n=1301), medium (30-40cm(3), n=1861), and large (>40cm(3), n=1385). Postimplant dosimetry, including D90, V100, and V100 by prostate sector, was performed for each implant. Comparison of mean V100 among small, medium, and larger prostate volume cohorts was performed using a one-way analysis of variance test. RESULTS: For the overall cohort, the D90 was 105% and 104% for monotherapy and boost, respectively. Mean D90 for small prostates was 106% and 104% for monotherapy and boost, respectively. Mean V100 for small prostates was 91.1% and 90.0%, respectively. Coverage for small prostates was as good or slightly better than larger glands. V100 by prostate sector revealed that there were no sectors for which smaller glands had significantly inferior coverage compared with larger glands. CONCLUSION: Although smaller prostates may in some respects be more technically difficult to implant than larger glands, a review of community-based brachytherapists reveals that with current implant techniques, good quality implants are readily achievable in men with smaller glands.


Brachytherapy/methods , Prostate/pathology , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Databases, Factual , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Humans , Male , Organ Size , Prostate/diagnostic imaging , Prostate/radiation effects , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiometry/methods , Radiotherapy Dosage , Tomography, X-Ray Computed
12.
Brachytherapy ; 12(4): 375-81, 2013.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23415047

PURPOSE: To compare postoperative dosimetry and acute toxicity of new 0.5-mm (125)I seeds in 20-gauge (20G) diameter prostate brachytherapy (PB) needles with standard 0.8-mm seeds in 18G needles. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Postoperative dosimetry was performed on 100 consecutive PB patients treated with ThinSeeds in 20G needles and compared with 100 consecutively treated PB patients using standard-sized seeds and needles (18G). Dosimetry was performed on postoperative Day 1 CT scans. Acute urinary retention was also compared between these two groups. Acute toxicity was evaluated in 22 consecutively treated patients with thinner seeds/needles and compared with 22 consecutive concurrent patients treated with standard seeds and needles. All patients were evaluated by pre- and post-PB self-administered surveys, physical examinations on post-PB Day 1, and telephone surveys on Day 7. Endpoints included dysuria, acute urinary retention, hematuria, perineal pain/bruising, and International Prostate Symptom Score. RESULTS: Post-PB dosimetric comparison demonstrated that the V100 (95% vs. 91%), D90 (161Gy vs.149Gy), V150 (55% vs. 45%), and RV100 (0.43cc vs. 0.30cc) were significantly (p<0.0004) higher in the 20G group. Urinary retention rates were 8% and 7% and median catheter-dependent durations were 7 and 14 days for the 20G and 18G groups, respectively. No significant differences were found for dysuria, hematuria, or International Prostate Symptom Score. Post-PB Day 1 perineal bruising and pain scores on Days 1 and 7 were significantly less (p<0.04) in 20G cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller diameter needles and seeds resulted in improved post-PB Day 1 V100 and D90 dosimetry, and significantly less acute perineal pain and bruising.


Brachytherapy/adverse effects , Brachytherapy/methods , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Humans , Iodine Radioisotopes , Male , Radiotherapy Dosage , Urinary Retention/etiology
14.
Brachytherapy ; 11(4): 299-305, 2012.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22330104

PURPOSE: To help establish patterns of care and standards of care of interstitial permanent low-dose-rate (LDR) and temporary high-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer and to compare the results with a similar 1998 American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) survey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A comprehensive questionnaire intended to survey specific details of current clinical brachytherapy practice was provided to the participants of the seventh ABS Prostate Brachytherapy School. Responses were tabulated and descriptive statistics are reported. RESULTS: Sixty-five brachytherapy practitioners responded to the survey. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of respondents performed LDR and 49% perform high-dose-rate brachytherapy. The median number of years of experience for LDR brachytherapists increased from 5 to 10 years over the course of the 12 years since the preceding survey. Compared with the first ABS, a smaller proportion of respondents received formal brachytherapy residency training (43% vs. 56%) or formal "hands-on" brachytherapy training (15% vs. 63%). There has been a marked decline in the utilization of the Mick applicator (Mick Radio-Nuclear Instruments, Inc., Mount Vernon, NY, USA) (60% vs. 28%) and an increase in the use of stranded seeds (40% vs. 11%). Compliance with postimplant dosimetry was higher in the 2010 survey. CONCLUSION: This survey does suggest an evolution in the practice of LDR brachytherapy since 1998 and aids in identifying aspects that require further progress or investigation. ABS guidelines and other practice recommendations appear to impact the practice of brachytherapy.


Brachytherapy/statistics & numerical data , Brachytherapy/standards , Guideline Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Health Care Surveys , Humans , Male , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/standards , Prostatic Neoplasms/epidemiology , United States/epidemiology
15.
Brachytherapy ; 11(1): 6-19, 2012.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22265434

PURPOSE: To provide updated American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) guidelines for transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB). METHODS AND MATERIALS: The ABS formed a committee of brachytherapists and researchers experienced in the clinical practice of PPB to formulate updated guidelines for this technique. Sources of input for these guidelines included prior published guidelines, clinical trials, published literature, and experience of the committee. The recommendations of the committee were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors of the ABS. RESULTS: Patients with high probability of organ-confined disease or limited extraprostatic extension are considered appropriate candidates for PPB monotherapy. Low-risk patients may be treated with PPB alone without the need for supplemental external beam radiotherapy. High-risk patients should receive supplemental external beam radiotherapy if PPB is used. Intermediate-risk patients should be considered on an individual case basis. Intermediate-risk patients with favorable features may appropriately be treated with PPB monotherapy but results from confirmatory clinical trials are pending. Computed tomography-based postimplant dosimetry performed within 60 days of the implant is considered essential for maintenance of a satisfactory quality assurance program. Postimplant computed tomography-magnetic resonance image fusion is viewed as useful, but not mandatory. CONCLUSIONS: Updated guidelines for patient selection, workup, treatment, postimplant dosimetry, and followup are provided. These recommendations are intended to be advisory in nature with the ultimate responsibility for the care of the patients resting with the treating physicians.


Brachytherapy/standards , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Ultrasonography, Interventional/methods , Humans , Male , United States
16.
BJU Int ; 109 Suppl 1: 7-16, 2012 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22239224

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Whole gland brachytherapy has been used to successfully treat prostate cancer but the protocol for focal therapy has not previously been established. The consensus findings provide guidance on patient selection for focal brachytherapy as well as recommendations for conducting therapy and patient follow-up. Low dose rate prostate brachytherapy is an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. Recently, it has been considered for use in a focused manner whereby treatment is targeted only to areas of prostate cancer. The objective of focal brachytherapy is to provide effective cancer control for low-risk disease but with reduced genitourinary and rectal side-effects in a cost-effective way. We report on the outputs of a consensus meeting of international experts in brachytherapy and focal therapy convened to consider the feasibility and potential development of focal brachytherapy. A number of factors were considered for focal brachytherapy including optimal patient selection, disease characterization and localization, treatment protocols and outcome measures. The consensus meeting also addressed the design of a clinical trial that would assess the oncological outcomes and side-effect profiles resulting from focal brachytherapy.


Brachytherapy/methods , Consensus , Patient Selection , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Biopsy , Diagnostic Imaging , Humans , Male , Neoplasm Staging , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Radiotherapy Dosage , Treatment Outcome
17.
BJU Int ; 109 Suppl 1: 22-9, 2012 Feb.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22239226

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Very few comparative studies to date evaluate the results of treatment options for prostate cancer using the most sensitive measurement tools. PSA has been identified as the most sensitive tool for measuring treatment effectiveness. To date, comprehensive unbiased reviews of all the current literature are limited for prostate cancer. This is the first large scale comprehensive review of the literature comparing risk stratified patients by treatment option and with long-term follow-up. The results of the studies are weighted, respecting the impact of larger studies on overall results. The study identified a lack of uniformity in reporting results amongst institutions and centres. A large number of studies have been conducted on the primary therapy of prostate cancer but very few randomized controlled trials have been conducted. The comparison of outcomes from individual studies involving surgery (radical prostatectomy or robotic radical prostatectomy), external beam radiation (EBRT) (conformal, intensity modulated radiotherapy, protons), brachytherapy, cryotherapy or high intensity focused ultrasound remains problematic due to the non-uniformity of reporting results and the use of varied disease outcome endpoints. Technical advances in these treatments have also made long-term comparisons difficult. The Prostate Cancer Results Study Group was formed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of prostate cancer treatments. This international group conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify all studies involving treatment of localized prostate cancer published during 2000-2010. Over 18,000 papers were identified and a further selection was made based on the following key criteria: minimum/median follow-up of 5 years; stratification into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups; clinical and pathological staging; accepted standard definitions for prostate-specific antigen failure; minimum patient number of 100 in each risk group (50 for high-risk group). A statistical analysis (standard deviational ellipse) of the study outcomes suggested that, in terms of biochemical-free progression, brachytherapy provides superior outcome in patients with low-risk disease. For intermediate-risk disease, the combination of EBRT and brachytherapy appears equivalent to brachytherapy alone. For high-risk patients, combination therapies involving EBRT and brachytherapy plus or minus androgen deprivation therapy appear superior to more localized treatments such as seed implant alone, surgery alone or EBRT. It is anticipated that the study will assist physicians and patients in selecting treatment for men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.


Brachytherapy/methods , Prostate-Specific Antigen/metabolism , Prostatectomy , Prostatic Neoplasms , Disease Progression , Disease-Free Survival , Humans , Male , Neoplasm Staging , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Prostatic Neoplasms/mortality , Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy , Risk Factors , Survival Rate/trends
18.
Cancer ; 118(3): 839-47, 2012 Feb 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21751187

BACKGROUND: During the first 3 years after prostate cancer treatment with radiation therapy, benign prostate-specific antigen (PSA) bounces are difficult for clinicians to distinguish from a biochemical recurrence, which can result in unnecessary interventions and erroneous predictions of outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate a commonly used PSA failure definition in a multinational, multi-institutional study after monotherapy with prostate brachytherapy. METHODS: Participants were selected from 2919 men who underwent permanent prostate brachytherapy at the University Medical Center Utrecht, Princess Margaret Hospital, or Seattle Prostate Institute between 1998 and 2006. Inclusion required not having received androgen-deprivation therapy and having at least 30 months of follow-up. Failure was defined as any post-treatment use of hormone therapy, clinical relapse, or prostogram-defined biochemical (PSA) failure. Cases in which the nomogram predicted biochemical failure were evaluated at each institution to verify biochemical status over time and the actual clinical outcome at 5 years. RESULTS: The median follow-up for the 1816 patients was 5.2 years. Concordance between the prostogram-predicted and actual outcomes, as measured by the Harrell c statistic, was 0.655 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.536-0.774; P = .010) for the Princess Margaret group, 0.493 (95% CI, 0.259-0.648; P = .955) for the Seattle group, and 0.696 (95% CI, 0.648-0.744, P < .001) for the Utrecht group. The overall mean difference in biochemical recurrence-free survival at 5 years between actual outcomes and prostogram-defined outcomes was 9.2% (95% CI, 7.7%-10.6%). The total numbers of prostogram-defined and actual biochemical failures were 312 and 157, respectively (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The widely used prostogram could not adequately distinguish a benign PSA bounce from a biochemical recurrence after prostate brachytherapy and could not be used to counsel patients about their predicted outcomes after treatment. The authors conclude that, to avoid unnecessary active interventions after treatment, clinicians should monitor PSA levels for at least 3 years and provide reassurance to patients that a PSA rise during this time is common and may not indicate a treatment failure.


Brachytherapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/diagnosis , Nomograms , Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , International Agencies , Male , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/blood , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/mortality , Neoplasm Staging , Prostatic Neoplasms/blood , Prostatic Neoplasms/mortality , Retrospective Studies , Survival Rate , Treatment Outcome
19.
Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys ; 81(5): e727-34, 2011 Dec 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21300452

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of prostate brachytherapy case volume on postimplant dosimetric quality in Pro-Qura proctored programs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From August 1999 to December 2008, the computed tomography datasets for 6,600 prostate implants performed by 129 brachytherapists were submitted to Pro-Qura for dosimetric analysis. Brachytherapists were divided into three roughly equal-sized terciles based on total case volume. Postimplant computed tomography scans were obtained at a median of 30 days. Excellent target coverage was defined by a V100≥90% and D90≥100% minimum prescribed peripheral dose. To determine if the number of excellent implants improved with increasing case numbers, each brachytherapist's series of implants was bisected into early and late experience by a moveable critical point. RESULTS: For the entire cohort, the mean V100 and D90 were 89.2% and 102.8%, respectively, with 47.7% of the implants scored as excellent. Brachytherapists in the highest-case tercile had a significantly greater fraction of excellent target coverage (57.9%) than did those in the two lower terciles (39.5% and 45.7%, p=0.015). Twenty-one (25.6%) of the 82 brachytherapists with sufficient case volume for dosimetric improvement analyses demonstrated quality improvement over time. Although there was no significant difference between prostate volume and seed strength, the number of seeds used was significantly greater in adequate implants. CONCLUSIONS: The highest-volume brachytherapists were most likely to obtain excellent target coverage. We are encouraged that in general practice, nearly 48% of all implants were scored excellent. It is conceivable that with greater expert third-party involvement, an even greater percentage of cases with excellent target coverage will become reality.


Brachytherapy/standards , Clinical Competence/standards , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Quality Improvement/standards , Brachytherapy/statistics & numerical data , Clinical Competence/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Prostate/pathology , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Quality Improvement/statistics & numerical data , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Tumor Burden , Workload
20.
Brachytherapy ; 10(1): 35-43, 2011.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20153264

PURPOSE: In this study, the effect of prostate brachytherapy seed activity on postimplant rectal dosimetry was evaluated in Pro-Qura (Prostate Brachytherapy Quality Assurance; Seattle, WA) proctored, community-based programs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-three hundred patients (1563 iodine-125 [(125)I] and 737 palladium-103 [(103)Pd]) from 78 brachytherapists with postimplant rectal dosimetry were identified. Seed activity was stratified into three tertiles for each isotope (≤0.300, 0.301-0.326, and >0.326 mCi/seed for (125)I and ≤1.330, 1.331-1.547, and >1.547 mCi/seed for (103)Pd). Postimplant dosimetry was performed in a standardized fashion. The rectum was contoured by outlining the outer rectal wall. The volume of the rectum receiving 100% of the prescription dose (R(100)) was calculated in cubic centimeters. The prostate V(100) and D(90) volumes were also calculated. RESULTS: The mean prostate volume was 35.8 and 32.3 cm(3) for (125)I and (103)Pd. The median time to postimplant CT was 30 days. For (125)I, the V(100) increased from 91.0% to 93.7% (p=0.012) and the D(90) increased from 105.9% to 108.7% (p<0.001) for the lowest to the highest (125)I seed activities. In contrast, no significant changes in V(100) (p=0.751) or D(90) (p=0.200) were discerned when stratified by seed activity. For both isotopes, there was no correlation between seed activity and R(100), and R(100) was highest for the intermediate seed activities. Overall, the R(100) was lower for (103)Pd vs. (125)I (0.63 vs. 0.82 cm(3), p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Within the confines of seed activities used in this study, higher activity seeds did not result in a deleterious effect on rectal dose. Higher activity seeds were associated with improved prostate dosimetry for (125)I, whereas (103)Pd dosimetry was not dependent on seed activity.


Iodine Radioisotopes/administration & dosage , Palladium/administration & dosage , Prostatic Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radioisotopes/administration & dosage , Brachytherapy/methods , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Humans , Male , Prostate/diagnostic imaging , Prostate/pathology , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Radiotherapy Dosage , Rectum/diagnostic imaging , Rectum/pathology , Time Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome
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