title: Ultrasound-guided photodynamic therapy for deep seated pathologies: prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interstitial photodynamic therapy remains an attractive remedial option in minimally invasive surgery. Our aim in this prospective study was to evaluate the outcome following ultrasound-guided iPDT of deep-seated pathologies. Patients' reports on quality of life with clinical and radiological evaluation were the main end point parameters used to assess the outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight patients were referred to the UCLH Head and Neck Centre for treatment of various deep-seated pathologies involving the head and neck region, upper and lower limbs. All patients underwent interstitial photodynamic therapy under general anaesthesia, using 0.15 mg/kg mTHPC as the photosensitising agent. Following treatment, patients were followed-up for a mean of 7 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All three patients who presented with visual problems reported improvement after treatment. Also, 14/17 patients reported improvement of breathing. Improvement of swallowing was reported by 25/30 patients; while speaking improvement was evident in 16/22 patients and 33/40 reported reduction in the disfigurement caused by their pathology. All five patients with impeded limb function reported some degree of improvement. Clinical assessment showed that half of the patients had 'good response' to the treatment and a third reported 'moderate response' with two patients being free of disease. Radiological assessment comparing imaging 6-week post-PDT to the baseline showed stable pathology with no change in size in 13 patients, minimal response in 18 patients, moderate response in 23 patients and significant response in 11 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study on 68 patients with deep-seated pathologies undergoing interstitial photodynamic therapy provided evidence that PDT can be the fourth modality in the management of tissue disease.
authors.affiliation: UCLH Head and Neck Centre, London, United Kingdom. w.jerjes@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Waseem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jerjes
authors.forename: Tahwinder
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Upile
authors.forename: Zaid
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hamdoon
authors.forename: Farai
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nhembe
authors.forename: Rishi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhandari
authors.forename: Sorcha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Charles Alexander
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mosse
authors.forename: Jocelyn A S
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brookes
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hopper
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008652:Mesoporphyrins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008652:Mesoporphyrins; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; C072269:temoporfin