Ada Tamir

TOTAL SKIN ELECTRON IRRADIATION. EVALUATION OF DOSE UNIFORMITY THROUGHOUT THE SKIN SURFACE

In this study, in vivo dosimetic data of 67 total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) treatments were analyzed. Thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) measurements were made at 10 different body points for every patient. The results demonstrated that the dose inhomogeneity throughout the skin surface is around 15%. The homogeneity was better at the trunk than at the extratrunk points, and was worse when a degrader was used. There was minimal improvement of homogeneity in subsequent days of treatment.

Dimensions of the fetal facial profile in normal pregnancy

To determine sonographic dimensions of the fetal facial profile in normal pregnancy.

Corpus callosum growth in normal and growth-restricted fetuses.

The aim of this study was to characterize the normal ultrasonographic growth of the corpus callosum (CC) in normal and in growth‐restricted fetuses throughout gestation.

Sound localization in patients with unilateral cochlear implants

Objectives To evaluate sound localization ability in totally deaf patients with unilateral cochlear implants and to estimate the ability to improve this function by training. Design A controlled case series. Materials and methods Nine patients with monaural cochlear implants were asked to identify the source of 50 randomly distributed sound stimuli coming from five different directions anteriorly or laterally. After some training, patients were retested. There were two control groups. One comprised nine adults with normal hearing, and the other comprised nine adults with normal hearing but one ear plugged. Results The mean initial score of the study group (maximal score 100) was 41.5 (range 23-63). Patients who had used cochlear implants longer had better sound localization ability (Spearmans correlation coefficient = 0.92). On retesting, after an average of 6.3 training sessions, their mean score improved to 66 (range 32-95), (p=0.008). The improvement was more pronounced in postlinguals than in prelinguals (p=0.016). Conclusions Spontaneous development of sound localization ability in totally deaf patients with unilateral cochlear implants is proprtional to the time interbal between implantation and initial testing. Improvement appears to be influenced by training, and to be greater in postlingual than prelingual implantees.

Sonographic Evaluation of the Superior Sinus Sagittalis

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the normal ultrasonographic growth of the fetal superior sinus sagittalis (SSS) throughout gestation. Patients and Methods: In a prospective cross-sectional study, measurements of the fetal sinus sagittalis were obtained in patients undergoing elective fetal anatomical surveys or fetal growth scan at between 16.6 and 34.7 weeks of gestation. Special attention was given to the SSS of the fetal brain. On the coronal plane, the SSS may be easily identified immediately below the frontal bone, and anterior to the fetal head parenchyma. Results: 206 fetuses were scanned. A regression line of the SSS was created throughout gestation and a first-degree correlation was found between gestational age (GA) and the SSS height (r = 0.418; p < 0.0001; SSS = -0.015 + 0.0178 × GA). Normal values were established for different gestational weeks. Conclusion: We provide ultrasonographic dimensions of the fetal SSS across pregnancy. This data potentially allows for prenatal diagnosis of abnormal appearance of the SSS.

Monitoring and treatment for cardiovascular risk

Background In many countries there is a gap between the clinical evidence for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and implementation in clinical practice. Inadequate control of cardiovascular risk factors and underutilization of aspirin, statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and β-blockers are well-established examples. The optimal approach to implementation of CVD prevention in clinical practice is still under debate. The screening and monitoring (SaM) approach is based on cyclic monitoring and individual treatment of patients with cardiovascular risk factors in the primary care setting. After achieving improvements in risk factor levels and in the use of preventive medications in a pilot study, it was decided to test the efficacy of this approach in a larger population at risk. Methods Five primary care clinics adopted the SaM approach. A total of 1622 patients with established CVD, diabetes mellitus or hypertension were assessed by their family physicians for cardiovascular risk factors and use of medications for cardiovascular risk reduction. Interventions were made according to accepted clinical guidelines. Cardiovascular risk factor levels and the use of medications for CVD prevention were retrospectively analyzed. Results The results demonstrated significant reductions in blood pressure, hemoglobin A 1c and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, as well as significant increases in the use of medications for CVD prevention. Conclusion A systematic approach to CVD reduction, with an emphasis on multiple risk factor assessment and use of preventive medications in patients at cardiovascular risk, yielded significant improvements in measures of the quality of preventive care.

P33 Breast Cancer in Women with Recent Exposure to Fertility Medications is Associated with Poor Prognostic Features

Background: Fertility drug therapy (FDT) induces supraphysiologic endogenous estrogen production and might transiently increase breast cancer risk. Tumors developing following FDT exposure have not been extensively studied.