Irregular surface compensation for radiotherapy of the breast: correlating depth of the compensation surface with breast size and resultant dose distribution.

Irregular surface compensation uses dynamic multileaf collimators to modify the fluence to an irregular surface along the cranio-caudal axis. The depth of the compensation surface can be varied by specifying a user-defined parameter called the transmission penetration depth (TPD). In our institution, a review has been carried out of 60 breast patients treated using irregular surface compensation of the tangent fields.

T2 and T2* quantification using optimal B1 image reconstruction for multicoil arrays.

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) T(2) and T(2)* measurements using array coils and optimal B(1) image reconstruction (OBR) compared to the standard root sum of squares (RSS) reconstruction.

Materials And Methods: Calibrated gels were used for the in vitro study of T(2). T(2) and T(2)* measurements were obtained from a volunteer's knee and liver, respectively.

A prospective clinical audit of central venous catheter use and complications in 1000 consecutive patients.

We conducted a prospective audit of central venous catheter (CVC) use in 1000 consecutive patients to better define the rates of postoperative complications (particularly vascular perforation) and the pattern of CVC and pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) usage (particularly the number of lumens inserted and utilized). Details of CVCs, complications, and the number of lumens in place and used, were recorded daily until all CVCs were removed. A total of 1546 CVCs and 223 PACs were placed in study patients.

Cost-effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation in patients with intractable angina.

Aim: To review the cost of healthcare utilisation by patients suffering from intractable angina, unsuitable for coronary revascularisation, before and after treatment with spinal cord stimulation.

Methods: Data were collected for eight patients treated for intractable angina with spinal cord stimulation at Green Lane Hospital before April 1999. Information on consumption of specified medica resources for the twelve months preceding implantation, the implantation period, and the twelve months following implantation was collected.