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Biomedical subjects

E B Butler

Publications and source records attributed to E B Butler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Fractionated high-dose rate brachytherapy for intracranial gliomas.

PURPOSE: To develop a catheter system for fractionated high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for intracranial gliomas. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The catheter system for stereotactic placement as well as delivery of the high-dose rate iridium-192 source wire is described. The force of the impulse wave from the source wire entering brain equivalent material was measured. Dose volume histograms for the first 5 patients treated are presented. RESULTS: The catheter system was found to be satisfactory. The maximum force of the impulse wave was less than 1 acceleration of gravity (which is safe). The patients tolerated the treatment well with no significant problems related to the catheters being left in situ for up to 14 days. CONCLUSION: Based on this pilot experience a phase I dose escalating and morbidity study has been initiated.

Brachytherapy

Ultrasound guided placement of transperineal prostatic afterloading catheters.

PURPOSE: A new method of performing temporary prostate brachytherapy which does not require an open laparotomy is described. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This procedure allows dynamic visualization of the placement of 13-gauge (I-125) or 17-gauge (Ir-192) afterloading catheters into the prostate gland via saggital ultrasound imaging. The image enables visualization of the entire path of the catheter as well as cephalad gland movement. The prostate gland, seminal vesicles, bladder neck, urethra, and rectum are easily identified and implanted, if desired, during the procedure. This procedure has been used in 34 patients as an interstitial boost for locally advanced (T2b, T3) prostatic carcinoma following external beam therapy as a means to safely deliver higher doses to the gland. Another eight patients have undergone this procedure as salvage following failure of prior radical prostatectomy or external beam therapy. RESULTS: Very customized dosimetry has been obtained using this technique as a result of the optimal catheter placement achieved under ultrasound guidance, particularly with I-125. Although it is too early to evaluate efficacy, the procedure has been well tolerated and is associated with minimal morbidity to date. CONCLUSION: This new procedure seems to be an excellent means of safe delivery of higher doses to the gland compared to conventional external beam therapy. Due to the ability to cover the seminal vesicles as well as the afterloading nature of this procedure, a more customized implant is obtained relative to most permanent techniques, and open laparotomy is not required.

Brachytherapy

An analysis of the variation of human interpretation: Papnet a mini-challenge.

The Papnet was given a mini-challenge of 200 cervical smears loaded to 50% with varying degrees of abnormality as interpreted by the originating laboratory. The range of abnormality extended from 'atypia' to invasive cancer and a few 'glandular' lesions were included as were a few smears which had been reported as 'inadequate'. Three cytologists (two cytopathologists and one cytotechnologist) read and analysed the 128 monitor pictures per slide, selected by the Scanning Algorithm and Neural Network systems. These results were compared with a 'gold standard' report on the glass slide produced by two cytopathologists. The analysis was done for each individual cytologist, for cases in which all three agreed, for a consensus between two of the three and for the 'best of three'. The latter gave an error rate of 4% false negative (Papnet scan negative) and 10% 'false positive' (referred for glass slide examination). Individual cytologists had higher error rates demonstrating that errors could be due to human interaction and not necessarily to the Scanner. This also indicated that wide experience in interpretation of monitor images is needed to achieve high quality results.

Diagnostic Errors

Treatment of secretory pituitary adenoma with radiation therapy.

A retrospective review of 44 patients with secretory pituitary adenoma treated with radiation therapy (median total dose of 4,500 cGy with a median fraction size of 225 cGy) was performed to analyze response rates and possible variables associated with failure to respond and with complications. The treatment technique used for 75% of the patients was a combination field; an opposed-lateral fields technique was used for the remainder. Median follow-up was 78.5 months, with 59% followed up for more than 60 months and 34% for more than 120 months. Overall survival was 90%, and disease-free survival was 62%. Response rates were 86% for the group with prolactinoma, 67% for the group with acromegaly, and 50% for the group with Cushing disease; the overall response rate was 71%. Findings of suprasellar extension and those from treatment with opposed-lateral fields correlated significantly with failure to respond. A higher percentage of patients with invasive macroadenomas also failed to respond. More complications were found in patients treated with opposed-lateral fields, but the numbers were too small to reach significance. Radiation therapy remains an important adjunct for the treatment of many patients with secretory pituitary adenoma.

Acromegaly

Intranasal stent for stabilization and fixation of interstitial radioactive isotopes.

This article introduces the use of an intranasal stent for the stabilization and fixation of afterloading catheters during interstitial radiation therapy. After catheters have been positioned to desired locations within the stent, they are immobilized with light polymerizing resin. The fixation of the catheters to the stent allows the radiotherapist to afterload predetermined radiation sources to desired locations. This technique maximizes tumor response and minimizes untoward effects to normal surrounding tissues.

Acrylic Resins

Quantitative DNA analysis of low grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and human papillomavirus infection by static and flow cytometry.

Quantitative deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis of cervical biopsy specimens from 26 women with cytological, colposcopic, and histological evidence of mild cervical atypia consistent with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I, reactive atypia, or human papillomavirus infection alone or in combination was performed in a comparative evaluation of Feulgen microspectrophotometry, the fast interval processor image analysis system, and flow cytometry. The fast interval processor image analysis system showed a distinct advantage over the other methods, being faster and allowing the operator to see the cells that were selected for measurement. The three methods of measurement together showed that the DNA content of at least 2% of the cells measured exceeded 5C (C being the haploid amount of DNA in a normal cell and 2C representing the diploid complement of a normal cell) in all cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I and reactive atypia and in 87% of those reported as showing human papillomavirus infection alone. In contrast, the DNA content of cervical biopsy specimens from the transformation zone of 11 normal controls did not exceed 4C. This study shows the value of using a DNA threshold--that is, the "5C exceeding rate"--to distinguish between normal and neoplastic appearances of the cervix. These results support the view that cervical infection by human papillomavirus is a true precursor of neoplasia.

Aneuploidy

Immunocytological staining reactions of anti-carcinoembryonic antigen, Ca, and anti-human milk fat globule monoclonal antibodies on benign and malignant exfoliated mesothelial cells.

A panel of three monoclonal antibodies were used in an immunoalkaline phosphatase staining method on a series of serous effusion samples from cases of mesothelioma, lung carcinoma, and benign disease. The antibodies used were anti-carcinoembryonic (CEA) antigen, Ca, and anti-human milk fat globule membrane antigen. Antibodies to the Ca antigen and human milk fat globule membrane antigen stained 75% and 83% of mesothelioma and 75% of cases of lung carcinoma, respectively. The anti-CEA antibody stained most cases of lung carcinoma strongly but was negative on 11 of 12 cases of mesothelioma and showed weak staining on one case. Benign cases were negative with all three antibodies. These three antibodies may be useful in distinguishing benign and malignant mesothelial cells and lung carcinoma in serous effusions.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Quantitative deoxyribonucleic acid analysis of patients with mild cervical atypia: a potentially malignant lesion?

Quantitative deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis of cervical biopsy material from 32 women with cytologic, colposcopic, and histologic evidence of mild cervical atypia consistent with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I, reactive atypia, or human papillomavirus infection was carried out using flow cytometry and Feulgen microspectrophotometry. Evidence of aneuploidy, ie, neoplastic transformation, was demonstrated in all cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I and 68% of cases with human papillomavirus-induced atypia. These results support the growing impression that human papillomavirus-induced cervical atypia should be regarded as a true precursor of cervical neoplasia, and emphasize the necessity to refer patients with mild atypia for definitive diagnosis and management.

Carcinoma in Situ

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia and microinvasive carcinoma of the vulva.

The pathological, cytological, and clinical features of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) are described. The rate of progression of VIN III to an invasive carcinoma is very low and spontaneous regression can occur. These features prevent the drawing of a direct analogy between vulvar and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The concept of microinvasive carcinoma of the vulva is discussed, and it is concluded that no satisfactory definition of this entity has been achieved.

Adult

Combined external quality assessment of cytology and histology opinions: a pilot scheme for a cluster of five laboratories.

A cluster of five self selected cytodiagnostic laboratories circulated 70 cervical/vaginal smears and 50 sputum smears in a series of five week cycles. Histological sections related to the abnormal smears were also circulated. Proportions of agreement and disagreement were analysed for cervical and sputum smear reports against the original report (and by implication against the consensus); corresponding calculations were made for the histological reports. Cytological and histological correlation was also examined. Agreement for major categories (benign, intraepithelial neoplasia, malignant) was 87% for cervical cytology and 83% for sputum. When the effect of potential random agreement was compensated for by the use of kappa statistics the values of kappa were +0.79 and +0.65, respectively. The corresponding kappa values for gynaecological and respiratory tract histology were +0.78 and +0.82, respectively. Agreement on finer degrees of abnormality was, predictably, less good. Problems arising in this pilot scheme are discussed and suggestions for a simplified scheme are made.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques

Condylomatous lesions of the lower female genital tract.

Current views on the aetiology of condylomatous lesions of the lower female genital tract are presented. In addition to the morphology of overt condylomata, the colposcopic, histological and cytological appearances are described, and association with epithelial neoplasia is considered in detail. Problems of nomenclature are discussed.

Animals

Human papillomavirus infection of the lower female genital tract: association with multicentric neoplasia.

Fifty-four patients with multiple condylomatous lesions and/or multicentric neoplasia were identified in a consecutive series of 2,627 colposcopic examinations (2%). Forty-one percent presented with condylomata only and 57% exhibited associated intraepithelial or invasive neoplasia in at least one site. Only one patient was found to have multicentric neoplasia with no condylomatous features. There was a significant increase in mean age between patients presenting with multiple condylomatous lesions and those who had intraepithelial neoplasia as well. An association with pregnancy was found in 17% of the cases, and with renal transplant in 5%. Virus particles compatible with human papillomavirus were found in 62% of the cases examined. Evidence for a causative role in the development of neoplasia of the lower female genital tract is considered.

Adolescent

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

The theoretical and practical reasons for replacing the terms "cervical dysplasia" and "cervical carcinoma in situ" by the single diagnostic entity of "cervical intraepithelial neoplasia" are reviewed and the advantages and drawbacks of this newer terminology discussed. The histological characteristics and cytological features of the various grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia are described and the differential diagnosis of this lesion is considered.

Carcinoma in Situ

Method for the removal of selected cells from cytological smear preparations for transmission electron microscopy.

The method described depends on fixing additional cytology smear preparations with glutaraldehyde to be used, if needed. Removal of cells from the slide makes use of partially polymerised resins in the usual way but a paper marker is used to localise the area in the resin block which contains the cells to be examined. Slides are placed in a freezing cabinet to facilitate easy separation of the resin block.

Cell Separation