A review of three incidents involving the release of 125I from seeds interstitially implanted within the prostate gland.
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.
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
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011193:Potassium Iodide