phosphorus-radioisotopes and Gastrointestinal-Hemorrhage

A small radiation measuring pill is briefly described which utilises the principles of radiotelemetry and the properties of a room temperature semiconductor radiation detector such as mercuric iodide. By transmitting a radio signal to a remote receiver the pill could be an effective tool in localising bleeding sites along the gastrointestinal tract and also possibly in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal carcinoma. Other uses of the radiopill are suggested. The size of the pill is 27 mm x 10 mm diameter and consists of a mercuric iodide crystal, an amplifier, a frequency modulated transmitter and one battery. The radiotransmitter operates at about 106 MHz and has a range of about 10m, and the sensitivity of the pill has been found for 99Tcm, 131I and 32P.

Topics: Chlorides; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Iodine Radioisotopes; Mercury; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Radiation Monitoring; Technetium; Telemetry

Systemic mastocytosis occurred as a fatal event in a patient with long-standing polycythemia vera. The patient had been treated over the course of 21 yr with radioactive phosphorus. Possible relationships between mastocytosis and polycythemia vera, and also between mastocytosis and treatment with ionizing radiation, are discussed. Histopathologic and electron microscopic findings are illustrated. Difficulties in establishing the diagnosis of mast cell disease in this setting are also described.

Topics: Biopsy; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Liver; Male; Middle Aged; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Polycythemia Vera; Postoperative Complications; Psoriasis; Splenectomy; Splenomegaly; Urticaria Pigmentosa

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Anemia, Aplastic; Blood Coagulation Tests; Bone Marrow Examination; Busulfan; Chromosome Aberrations; Female; Fibrinogen; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Inclusion Bodies; Leukemia; Leukocytes; Male; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Prothrombin Time; Thiotepa; Thrombocytosis