The following information was obtained from the State of
Maryland via email:
Post implant CT determined that all seeds missed the prostate and were deposited in an unintended area of soft tissue at the base of the patient's penis. A medical determination has been made to not remove the seeds due to the difficulty of removal. The patient will be followed over the next two weeks to determine whether damage to the urethra has occurred. The licensee states that the patient has been informed.
Preliminary root cause evaluation is that the Medical Center's ultrasound unit used to guide insertion is 12 years old and has a poor (grainy) display. No defect with the Mick applicator has been determined.
The Maryland Radiation Program will conduct an on-site investigation of this incident.
The patient was administered 53 seeds at a nominal 0.36 mCi I-125 per seed manufactured by Best Industries. Intended dose to the prostate was 108 Gy.
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.