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Biomedical subjects

K McCune

Publications and source records attributed to K McCune.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome: life-threatening haemorrhage from aneurysms within the liver, small bowel mesentery and kidney, requiring both surgical and radiological intervention.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare, generally X-linked recessive condition, originally described by Wiskott in 1937 as a triad of discharging ears, eczema and thrombocytopoenia. Aldrich included bloody diarrhoea in his report of 1954, with severe immunodeficiency and predisposition to malignancy being recognised subsequently. The incidence currently quoted is approximately 4 per million live male births, although there is some regional variation. We report the case of a long-term survivor who had massive haemorrhage from an intrahepatic aneurysm and, on a separate occasion, the right kidney.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A technique for evaluating cast foam positioning and immobilization devices used in breast cancer radiotherapy.

Patient setup reproducibility when Alpha Cradles* are used is not well documented. A simple technique is described that localizes longitudinal and transverse planes in breast setups utilizing 4 mm lead-sphere markers embedded in a modified HS-2 Alpha Cradle. The markers are positioned in the cradle coincident with the projected simulator central axis crosshair when the x-ray beam is directed vertically down through a setup point on the patient. A reference film recording patient position relative to the Alpha Cradle is taken through the setup point at the end of the simulation procedure. On the treatment machine, the images of the lead markers on the portal film, taken through the same setup point, indicate longitudinal and transverse planes. These planes are then used to correlate and quantitate the reproducibility of the original reference planes. This technique is easily initiated, and when used in conjunction with a careful analysis of conventional treatment portal films, is very useful in determining the accuracy of patient repositioning in the Alpha Cradle, and precise field placement. Results of a study utilizing a modified HS-2 Alpha Cradle will be presented.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

Localizing the spinal cord in oblique off-cord lung boosts.

We present a method to accurately localize the spinal cord in oblique projections on plain radiographs. Utilizing a CT scan done with the patient in the treatment position, a template is generated to localize the spinal cord. The technique involves analyzing successive axial CT slices and locating cord position relative to the beam central axis. The template is then placed on the simulator fiducial plate at the time of verification simulation. Cord position is documented in the "beam's eye view" on the radiograph. Utilizing this technique, our radiation oncologists are more comfortable defining the medial field border in oblique setups. In most cases, this technique will minimize the perceived need to add superfluous spinal cord blocks that compromise tumor dose.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Community mental health centers and insurance reimbursements.

This study represents the first of a two-stage project. The first phase of the study examined the funding sources for the 40 Community Services Boards in Virginia. Data provided from the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation in Virginia examined fee collections which are comprised of direct client, commercial insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. An analysis of quarterly reports from 1982 to 1984 revealed that Medicaid collections have decreased significantly, while commercial insurance reimbursements have increased significantly. These results, although limited to data from Virginia, point to the need to examine if these shifts are occurring nationwide, and to determine if the shift toward commercial insurance is impacting upon the delivery of services in Community Mental Health Centers.

Community Mental Health Centers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An introduction to fast neutron therapy for the radiation therapy technologist.

Clinical research into fast neutron radiation therapy has shown a renewed interest with the advent of the new generation cyclotrons presently being built and already on line in various parts of the country. These units will have neutron beams with better depth dose properties and uniform treatment policy for all facilities. This should ensure that adequate clinical studies are carried out that will define the role of fast neutron radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer.

Fast Neutrons↗