Case of Rheumatoid Lung with Cavity Formation

Abstract

Kunkler (1957), using modern E.C.G. methods, recorded four instances of changes which they accepted as radiation reactions in the heart.These were observed one to two weeks after treatment, with reversion to normal within two months.Catterall (1960) reported the persistence of E.C.G. changes for nine months after radiotherapy and concluded that this argued for organic changes in the myocardium.A contrary view was expressed by Jones and Wedgwood (1960), who studied 25 patients with carcinoma of the breast in whom a parasternal field was employed.There was evidence of pathological EGCG.change in only 16%, and they stated that these were apparently trivial, transient, and symptomless.They noted that many of the patients had previous evidence of ischaemic heart disease.Vaeth et al. (1961) reported 30% with E.C.G. changes in a group of 20 patients receiving more than 3,500 r to at least 35 % of the myocardium.