Thymus irradiation for myasthenia gravis

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.146.1.6849045· OSTI ID:5683806

Currier, R D; Routh, A; Hickman, B T; Douglas, M A

Twenty-eight patients with progressive myasthenia gravis without thymoma received treatment of 3000 rads (30 Gy) to the anterior mediastinum, and a followup was conducted for five to 18 years. Twenty-four patients had generalized myasthenia, and four had ocular myasthenia gravis. Twenty patients with generalized myasthenia survived the several month post-treatment period and improved, but four died during that period. The improvement lasted a median of 1.5 years, and older patients had longer remissions than younger patients. The four patients who had ocular myasthenia did not change after treatment. Mediastinal irradiation produces a temporary remission in generalized myasthenia.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson
• OSTI ID: 5683806
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
RADIOTHERAPY
THYMUS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
MEDIASTINUM
PATIENTS
X RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEST
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ORGANS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
550603* - Medicine- External Radiation in Therapy- (1980-)
560151 - Radiation Effects on Animals- Man