Radioactive Gold Grains Research Articles

Accidental intra-arterial implantation of a radiogold grain.

Implantation of radioactive gold grains by means of a hollow needle and stilette is regarded as a safe procedure in most situations. An unusual occurrence is reported here, which did not cause any ill-effects. A man, aged 74, was referred to this Clinic with a lesion of the left pinna and adjoining scalp. Biopsy showed squamous cell carcinoma, grade I. The lesion was a typical malignant ulcer with an indurated base measuring 1·5 cm in diameter and 1 cm thick.

Radiology in Stereotaxis

We have been using Leksell's Stereotactic Instrument, at the National Hospital and at Atkinson Morley's Hospital, in the treatment of Parkinsonism and other conditions characterised by involuntary movements and disturbances of tone, and also for the implantation of radioactive gold grains into tumours which are fairly well localised and deeply situated. Leksell's instrument consists of a square frame which is rigidly fixed to the patient's head, by means of three drills which penetrate the skull. This frame has centimetre and millimetre graduations which can be seen on the X-ray film. The tube-frame distance is of the order of 80 to 100 cm so that a divergent beam of X rays is used. It is thus necessary to be able to determine the position of its central ray and for the tube-frame and tube-plate distances to be constant. In this way all the factors of the magnified image can be taken into consideration. This magnification is least near the central ray and increases progressively as the distance from the c...