PERCUTANEOUS TANTALUM 182 WIRE IMPLANTATION USING A GUIDING-NEEDLE TECHNIQUE FOR HEAD AND NECK TUMORS

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Abstract
An improved technique of Ta182 wire implantation through a percutaneous route is discussed. This technique was used in 6 patients who had recurrent or extensive lesions in the head and neck area. Ta182 wire implantation was carried out as an adjunct to external beam therapy, chemotherapy or radium needle implantation. New instruments, such as a lead jig, guiding-needle, needle-holder, and space-maintainer are described. This technique was satisfactorily tried in 4 cases under local anesthesia. Disease was successfully controlled in I case. Local disease was controlled in 3 cases for as long as 4 months, when the patients succumbed to distant disease. Adequate palliation was not obtained in 2 cases, one of which was a result of overdosage. Expediency of the technique and adequate shielding minimized the exposure hazard. This technique was found satisfactory in encompassing a complex tumor volume in areas inaccessible otherwise. We feel strongly that the inclusion of this technique is a valuable addition to the existing therapeutic armamentarium.

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