HISTOLOGY OF THE SURGICAL RADIOLESION IN THE HUMAN BRAIN AS PRODUCED BY HIGH ENERGY PROTONS
Abstract
Changes in the mid brain of a man following irradiation were studied on one side of the spinothalamic tract region by high energy protons to relieve pain. The man was 59 and suffered from intractable pain due to cancer of the lung with spread to the axilla and the supraclavicular region. The irradiated region was sharply demarcated being ovoid in shape with a crenated border. Destruction of myelin sheaths, axons, astrocytes and oligodendroglia occurred in the irradiated region and some tiny perivascular haemorrhages were present. Nuclear debris and collections of macrophages were found at the edge of the necrosis. Little proliferation of astrocytes was seen 9 weeks after irradiation. The changes were exactly similar to those seen in goats 7 and 4 weeks after irradiation with the same dose. Tiny, discrete, rounded, zones of necrosis were seen in man just rostral to the confluent necrosis. They are presumably the result of intersecting beams as they pass to the center of irradiation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 28, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0284931
Entities
People
- Bror Rexed
- Patrick Sourander
- William Mair
Organizations
- Uppsala University