title: A review of three incidents involving the release of 125I from seeds interstitially implanted within the prostate gland.
abstract: Three cases have occurred at the Medical College of Virginia in which 125I seeds were accidentally ruptured while being interstitially implanted within cancerous prostate-gland tumors. During the first incident the physician performing the surgery was contaminated. In the second and third cases, the iodine seeds were post-operatively discovered to be leaking. Both patients demonstrated significant thyroid uptakes and were administered potassium iodide as a blocking agent. Routine urine analyses and thyroid bioassays were performed during a period of several months to study the removal of 125I from the thyroid and to determine the effect potassium iodide had on the iodine-removal rate. Data obtained during the follow-up studies emphasize the necessity of post-operative monitoring and point out the value of administering a blocking agent in cases involving the release of 125I from a ruptured seed. The findings also indicate the risks during this type of therapeutic procedure may warrant the prophylactic use of exogenous iodine prior to implanting the iodine seeds.
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011193:Potassium Iodide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011834:Radiation Monitoring
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011193:Potassium Iodide