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J K Dewyngaert

Publications and source records attributed to J K Dewyngaert.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

A new technique for performing Syed-Neblett template interstitial implants for gynecologic malignancies using transrectal-ultrasound guidance.

PURPOSE: Interstitial brachytherapy plays an important role in the treatment of advanced and recurrent gynecologic malignancies. Unfortunately, the inability to visualize the tumor and surrounding normal structures during the implant has hampered the accuracy and safety of the implant. Transrectal ultrasound guided Syed-Neblett template implantation is a new technique for performing interstitial implants under direct visualization. The details of the technique are presented to demonstrate the ability to accurately guide needle placement into tumor and avoid needle insertion into critical surrounding normal structures. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The transrectal ultrasound is positioned so that it can visualize the tumor, and normal surrounding structures in both transverse and longitudinal planes. The Syed-Neblett template is positioned and sutured into the perineum. Needles are inserted into the target area under direct visualization through transverse imaging. The bladder and rectum can be directly imaged and thus avoided. Longitudinal imaging is then used to guide the needles to the appropriate depth. In addition, it can be used to assess the length of the target volume and aid in determining the active length of the sources. RESULTS: A total of 12 procedures have been performed on seven patients from August 30, 1995 to April 12, 1996. The presenting diseases included: Stage IIIb cervical cancer in four cases, recurrent endometrial cancer in two cases, and Stage III vaginal cancer in one case. The total length of time for implantation of the needles ranged from 45 to 165 min (median--130 min). CONCLUSION: Transrectal ultrasound guidance provides real-time visualization of the target volume and normal tissues during interstitial implantation of gynecologic malignancies and allows for accurate needle placement.

Aged

Survival responses of cell subpopulations isolated from a heterogeneous human colon tumour after combinations of hyperthermia and X-irradiation.

In summary, this research has investigated the effects of combined modality treatment (i.e., low linear energy transfer ionizing radiation and hyperthermia at 42.5 degrees C) on the survival responses of two tumour subpopulations (designated clones A and D) obtained from a heterogeneous human colon adenocarcinoma. A constant hyperthermic exposure (2 hours at 42.5 degrees C) was given either 3 min before or 3 min after graded exposure to X-rays. An isobologram analysis (Steel and Peckham 1979) of the clonogenic survival responses of the two tumour subpopulations showed that the clone A responses were within the envelope of additivity for either sequence of application. In contrast, the responses of the clone D tumour subpopulation exhibited a supra-additive response to the combined treatments with the sequence of heat followed by X-irradiation being somewhat more effective than the sequence of X-irradiation followed by heat. These data indicate that the responses of tumour subpopulations obtained from heterogeneous solid tumours to combined modality treatments may vary in an, at present, unpredictable manner.

Cell Survival

Scatter integration with right triangular fields.

The concept of the equivalent field is used extensively in radiotherapy dose calculation algorithms. The rationale for using equivalent fields is to allow dose calculations for a wide variety of field shapes, while maintaining dose calculational data for only a few, very regularly shaped fields. A common example is the table of equivalent squares of rectangular fields presented by Day in the British Journal of Radiology. Recently, in searching for fast dose calculation algorithms for irregular fields, we introduced the concept of the equivalent square of a right triangular field. It is shown that an arbitrary irregular field of N vertices may be decomposed into 2N right triangular fields, each with a precalculated equivalent square. The scatter at the point of calculation due to the irregular field is then obtained as a sum of the scatter contributions from the equivalent squares. The scatter integration with right triangles is compared with scatter integration using program IRREG.

Humans