RADIONECROSIS OF THE PITUITARY BY THE ACTION OF YTTRIUM-90

Journal Article · Tue Feb 12 04:00:00 EST 1963 · Zentr. Allgem. Pathol. Pathol. Anat.

OSTI ID:4697249

Koevi, J

Histopathologic findings are described in a pituitary which had been irradiated by Y/sup 90/ implantation for the treatment of an inoperable mammary carcinoma. Two months before death of the patient, 4 mC Y/sup 90/ had been implanted in the sella in an attempt to abolish pituitary endocrine secretion. Histologic examination of the gland showed that 90 to 95% of the adenohypophysis had been destroyed, leaving an encapsulated mass of fibrous tissue. Four zones in the irradiated gland could be discerned which were characterized by necrosis, necrobiosis, repair, and normality, respectively. In the necrotic zone, closest to the radiation source, almost complete destruction of glandular cells had occurred and only cellular debris was present. In the next most distant zone, most of the cells had been destroyed, but some cells remained, with pyknotic, shrunken nuclei and sparse, granule-free cytoplasm. Some neutrophil leukocytes were present in this zone as well as capillaries with intact endothelial cells. At the edge of this zone, in the 3rd zone, signs of repair were evident, including proliferation of fibroblasts and newly formed capillaries. Remaining glandular cells were surrounded by connective tissue. In the 4th peripheral zone normal-appearing cells were present, and the connective tissue capsule of the gland was markedly thickened. The results show that a high degree of pituitary inactivation can be obtained by Y/sup 90/ implantation. (H.H.D.)

• Research Organization: University Medical School, Budapest
• NSA Number: NSA-17-027191
• OSTI ID: 4697249
• Journal Information: Zentr. Allgem. Pathol. Pathol. Anat., Journal Name: Zentr. Allgem. Pathol. Pathol. Anat. Vol. Vol: 104
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD VESSELS
CANCER
CYTOLOGY
GLANDS
LEUCOCYTES
MAN
MEDICINE
MICROSCOPY
PITUITARY GLAND
RADIATION INJURIES
YTTRIUM 90