Custom made brachytherapy applicator for squamous cell carcinoma of oral commissures.

Primary treatment with brachytherapy for oral cancer is uncommon in large malignant lesions; however, it is preferred by radiation oncologists for initial and smaller-sized lesions in compromised anatomical locations. The purpose of this report is to introduce and discuss the fabrication of a customized brachytherapy applicator for a case of well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral commissures using a radiotherapy thermoplastic mold (RTM). The RTM was molded into the shape of tongs and two acrylic wings were attached to these customized tongs to secure five high-dose radiotherapy catheter tubes.

Outcome of heart transplantation in patients with sarcoid cardiomyopathy.

Background: Cardiac transplantation has been utilized increasingly in patients with sarcoid cardiomyopathy. We sought to review outcomes in patients with sarcoidosis who had heart transplants and compared their outcomes with those of transplanted patients without sarcoidosis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database to assess the survival of patients with sarcoidosis who were treated by heart transplantation.