Rongelap 83
HOSPITAL OF THE MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER,

NAME}

SROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY
UPTON, NEW YORK 11973
Aree Code 516 YAphank 4=6262

08-50-54 R
(UNIT NO.

OISCHARGE SUMMARY

ADMETTED: 27 May 1974

CIRC 63

.

DISCHARGED: 3 June 1974
This 20-year-old Marshallese boy was

admitted for thyroid studies and
consideration for possible surgery in Cleveland.

MEDICALHISTORY:

In Sepcamber 1973, a small nodule was

noted in the left lobe of the thyroid.
During the recent March 1974 survey, an additional slight enlargement of the
tight lobe was palpated,
He has always appeared euthyroid and the T4 levels
have been within normal limits.
This boy was one of 4 Rongelap children

exposed in utero.

He was exposed near the end of che second trimester to 175

rads whole body gamm radiation from accidental fallout, and the thyroid also
received an indeterminate dose from radiciodines which had been absorbed by
the mother, When first seen, 3 months after birth, the only possible indication
of radiation exposure was a transitory depression of his blood platealecs,
He
has been examined regularly by our medical team and no serious findings have
been noted,
He has had the usual childhood infections, and om one occasion
he had a brief hospitalization for acute URI, His growth and development have
been normal.
PHYSICAL EXAM ON ADMISSION:

This Marshallese boy is well-developed

and well-nourished. ° He appears

euthyroid.
Physical exam is generally negative except ‘for the thyroid findings.
A small, 2 mm, freely moveable nodule was noted in the left lobe and a bumpy
irregularity in the upper right lobe.
No tenderness of the gland or lymphadenopathy was noted.

LABORATORY & X-RAY DATA:

123

Thyroid scans showed a discrete area

of decreased radioactivity in che
middle portion of the left lobe.
IT uptake was 24.6%, T&4 level was 6.7 w2%
in March.
The hemogram and blood chemistry data were within normal limits.
HOSPITAL COURSE:

pletely asymptomatic.

The hospital course was uneventful,
He ate and slept well and was com-

‘The patient was given 20 uci 13ly juse before discharge

to Cleveland for sutcradiographic analysis of excised lesions,

At che Cleveland Metropolitan General
Hospital on 4 June 1974, thyroid
surgery was performed by 3. M. Debyna, M.D.
There was a 3-4 mm mass in che
left lobe near the isthmus, al cm soft mass in the superior pola and the
right lobe contained a1 cm soft mass.
These were removed and the histological
diagnoses were benign adenomas, one of which was trabecular in pattern. His

recovery from surgery was uneventful with noo complications.

By 9 June the

wound was healing nicely and the patient was discharged for travel back to the

Marshall Islands,

A summary of his hospitalization including surgical and
-l-

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