The authors have intended to measure intrinsic dose distribution by Farmer dosimeter in irregularly shaped fields such as L.M. and T shape models in order to determine dose in homogeneity in those models. We made 2 off-xis points in each model and measured the depth dose at 1.5, 5 and 9cm below surface. The results showed 1~3% dose discrepancy between 2 points. We also measured the depth dose by geometric approximation and computer calculation in those models, and came to the conclusion that computer calculation using Clarkson's principle is simpler and the measurements are closer to the ideal data obtained by the experiment in three models of irregularly shaped fields than those of geometric approximation method.

Fifty patients with residual, unresectable or recurrent rectal cancer were treated with external irradiation using a 6-MV linear accelerator at the Division of Therapeutic Radiology, Department of Radiology, Kangnam St. Mart's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College during the period of April 1983 to December 1987. This paper describes the results of a retrospective analysis of the results of external irradiation for the residual, unresectabel and recurrent rectal cancer in 46 patients. Four patients were lost to follow-up. Of the 46 patients, 18(39%) presented with unresectable primary lesions and 28 (61%) with residual or recurrent rectal cancer. In 93%, the pathologic diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. Resonse to irradiation was observed in 22 (73%) out of 30 patients who were treated for pain, 12 (86%) out of 14 patients who were treated for mass, and 17 (77%) out of 22 patients who were treated for bloody discharge. The actuarial postoperative 2-year and 3-year survival rates in recurrent and unresectable patients were 43% and 22%, respectively. However, the post-RT 2-year survival rate was 13% (6/46).
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Particle Accelerators ; Radiation Oncology ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Myopericarditis is an uncommon manifestation, but can be reaely a lethal complication of infectious mononucleosis. We experienced a case of infectious mononucleosis complicated by myopericarditis in which the clinical pictur was confused as acute myocarddial infarction. A 25-year-old male who presented with syncope and chest pain. The diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis was comfirmed by both a positive heterophil antibody test and a high titer of Epstein-Barr virus antibody. He was found to have completely normal findings at cardiac catheterization, including coronary arteriography. Pathologic specimen from right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated extensive lymphocytic and eosinophilic infiltration of the myocardium.
Adult ; Angiography ; Biopsy ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Eosinophils ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Infarction ; Infectious Mononucleosis* ; Male ; Myocardium ; Syncope

Radiation therapy was the treatment of choice for CML in the past, in the form of Sl or radioactive phosphorus. Its use has been replaced to a large extent by various chemotherapeutic agents. Recently Sl in CML has been used, both to relieve painful splenomegaly and to take advantage of an indirect effect of Sl on unirradiated bone marrow. We have treated 15 CML cases who had a huge spleen during chemotherapy or even after chemotherapy by 6 MV linear accelerator during the past two years at the Division of Radiation Therapy, Kang Nam St. Mar's Hospital, Catholic College. Response to Sl has been rated according to the scoring system of Roger W. Byhardt, et al. which evaluated the splenic and hematologic response as well as the response of disease-elated systems. According to this scoring system, most patients demonstrated a significant relief of splenomegaly along with improvement of hemogram. And we observed the change of Karnofsky Performance Status after Sl, and survival after a confirmative diagnosis and Sl.
Bone Marrow ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Karnofsky Performance Status ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive* ; Particle Accelerators ; Phosphorus ; Spleen ; Splenomegaly

Seven patients having midline granuloma received local irradiation from March 1983 to June 1986. Clinically, all of the 7 patients had pansinusitis with necrotic destruction of the involved sites and one case revealed colonic lesion. Each of the patients received a tumor dose of 4,000 ~ 5,000 cGy/5~6wks to the upper aerodingestive tract using a 6-MV linear accelerator. Complete and partial remission occurred in 3 patients each, and in one case, the disease progressed despite of the irradiation.
Colon ; Granuloma* ; Humans ; Particle Accelerators

BACKGROUND: It is well known that Korea is one of the endemic areas for viral hepatitis B and those who are positive for HBsAg has been reported to be about 5-10% in Korea. Since the 1980s, research and population education for prevention and vaccination for hepatitis B were implemented in Korea. Therefore, we predicted that the positive rates of HBsAg and Anti-HBs have changed since then. Young adults are considered to be the main candidates for hepatitis B vaccination, and the change in the rate of prevalence of HBsAg and Anti-HBs has been investigated in this study. METHODS: We surveyed 3760 freshmen who were positive for HBsAg and Anti-HBs who were in 1998. HBsAg and Anti-HBs was tested by RPHA/PHA. RESULTS: 3760 students included 2780 males and 980 females(mean age 19.44 years). Among them, 128(3.4%) was positive for HBsAg and 2488(66.2%) was positive for Anti-HBs. The positive rate of HBsAg was 105(3.8%) and that of Anti-HBs was 179(64.7%) among 2780 male students. The positive rate of HBsAg was 23(2.3%) and that of Anti-HBs was 691(70.5%) among 980 female students. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with previous prevalence studies of HBsAg and Anti-HBs, the positive rate of HBsAg was decreased and that of Anti-HBs was increased. The researchers hope that farther study is necessary using wider range of subjects.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Hope ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prevalence ; Vaccination ; Young Adult*

It was already reported in else where that a standard linear accelerator, with only slight modification can function in a manner similar to Leksell's Gamma unit device in the treatment of inoperable deep seated intracranial lesions. Using collimated narrow beams, a localization system and special computer programs for precise patient positioning and a high concentration of irradiation dose within the lesions, eleven patients with AVMs and brain tumor have now been treated since 1988. The 6 MeV linear accelerator and Hitchcock stereotactic frame was used of the all procedures. In 10 of the 11 patients, no side effects occurred. The first 7 patients, who could be observed 3 months or longer have been studied radiologically and clinically. In 6 patients marked decrease in contrast enhancement and sometimes dramatic clinical improvement was achieved. In one case a marked increase of the surrounding brain edema occurred 7days after radiosurgery, who was operated on. The radiantion dose was based on the volume, location and radiosensitivity of the lesion which ranged 15-40 Gy.
Brain Edema ; Brain Neoplasms ; Humans ; Particle Accelerators* ; Patient Positioning ; Radiation Tolerance ; Radiosurgery*

Twenty-our cases of pituitary adenoma, 13 males and 11 females with the age ranging from 11 to 65 years, received radiation therapy(RT) on the pituitary area with 6MV linear accelerator during past 25 months at the Division of Radiation Therapy, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Medical College. Of 24 case of RT, 20 were postoperative and 4 primary. To evaluate the effect of RT, we analyzed the alteration of the endocrinologic tests, neurologic abnormalities, major clinical symptoms, endocrinologic changes and improvement in visual problems after RT. The results were as follows ; 1. Major clinical symptoms were headache, visual defects, diabetes insipidus, hypogonadisms and general weakness in decreasing order of frequency. 2. All but the one with Nelson's syndrome showed abnormal neuroradiologic changes in the sella turcica with an invasive tumor mass around supra and para-ellar area. 3. Endocrinological classifications of the patient were 11 prolactinoma, 4 growth hormonesecreting tumors, 3 ACTH-ecreting tumors consisting of one Cushing's disease and two Nelson's syndrome, and 6 nonfunctioning tumors. 4. Eleven of 14 patients, visual problems were improved after treatment but remaining 3 were unchanged. 5. Seven of 11 prolactinomas returned to normal hormonal level after postoperative and primary RT and 3 patients are being treated with bromocriptine (BMCP) but on lost case. 6. Two of 4 growth hormone-ecreting tumor returned to normal level after RT but the remaining 2 are being treated with BMCP, as well.
Bromocriptine ; Classification ; Diabetes Insipidus ; Female ; Growth Hormone* ; Headache ; Humans ; Male ; Particle Accelerators ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Plasma* ; Prolactinoma ; Sella Turcica

From March, 1983 to March, 1987, 16 patients with esophageal steno-obstruction due to nonesophageal tumors were treated in the Division of Therapeutic Radiology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. The patient characteristics, effect of radiotherapy (XRT) on esophageal steno-obstruction and survival were evaluated. The most common primary tumor was lung cancer (14/16) and the middle third of the esophagus was most frequently involved (14/16). Improved clinical response was observed in 80% of the patients who finished the planned courses of XRT. The mean radiation dose evoking the improvement of dysphagia was 2,993 cGy given over a period of 3 to 4 weeks. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival at 15 and 30 weeks of follow-up were 60% and 46%, respectively. In the completed group who finished the whole planned courses of XRT, survival rates were 77% and 51%, respectively. Four patients were alive over 90 weeks with normal passage of food.
Deglutition Disorders ; Esophagus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Radiation Oncology ; Radiotherapy ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide data for development of the Journal of Fundamentals of Nursing through reviewing classification of sectional editorship. METHODS: Descriptive statistical analysis was used, to identify content then, the classifications of sectional editorship were reviewed. RESULTS: The categories, "Basic concepts of nursing" (30.2%:17.9%), "Needs for comfort" (15.9%:13.1%), "Nursing education" (12.7%:12.7%), and "Needs for activity and exercise" (7.1%:7.1%) were most frequent through both the 1st and 2nd sectional editorship. CONCLUSION: Classification of sectional editorship was developed to clarify the educational purpose of fundamentals of nursing, and was modified through reflections by researchers. The current classification of sectional editorship is not a permanent formula, so using various viewpoints in further examination is needed.
Nursing Research