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Despite recent advances in the treatment of stage D carcinoma of the prostate many patients become refractory to all therapeutic modalities. Progressive and incapacitating pain is one of the most difficult symptoms to manage. Ten patients with severely symptomatic metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate have been treated with either single or sequential doses of half body radiation using 800 rad delivered by a Linac 10 mV linear accelerator. There were 15 courses of half body radiation delivered and a good to excellent response was noted in 11 instances. Results often were immediate and the duration of the response was variable. Treatment was well tolerated with no fatal complications. Half and total body radiation appears to offer significant palliation and its use with other forms of therapy warrants further investigation.

In this treatment planning method, information from total body scans is fed into a radiation therapy treatment computer, the Artronix PC-12 system with 16K core. By providing an accurate profile of the patients's anatomy, total body computed tomography may contribute greatly to the solution of complex treatment problems involving the head and neck, thorax and abdomen.

The successful management of a patient with potentially lethal intrathoracic trauma resulting from bull horn injury and involving the intrapericardial and extrapericardial portions of the right inferior pulmonary vein is described. To the best of our knowledge this particular injury has not previously been reported. Irrespective of the external appearance of the wound, hospitalization and close observation are essential. Exploration if required should be under optimal operative conditions. Popularization of disbudding and dehorning will prove an effective preventive measure.