Rongelap 83
HOSPITAL Of THE MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER,
BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY
UPTON, NEW YORK 11973
08-50-54 R
Area Code $16 YAphenk 4-6262
DISCHARGE SUMMARY
(NAMB
(UNIT NO)
CIRC 63
ADMLITED: 27 May 1974
DESCHARGED:
3 June 1974
This 20-year-old Marshallese boy was
admitted for thyroid studies and
consideration for possible surgery in Cleveland.
MEDICAL HISTORY:
In September 1973, a small nodule was
noted in the left Lobe of the chyroid.
During the recent March 1974 survey, an additional slight enlargement of the
right lobe was palpated,
He has always appeared euthyroid and the T% levels
have been within normal limits, This boy was one of 4 Rongelap children
exposed in utero, He was exposed near the end of the second trimester to 175
rads whole body gamrm radiation from accidental fallout, and the thyroid also
received an indeterminate dose from radiocicdines which had been absorbed by
the mother. When first seen, 3 monchs after birth, the only possible indication
of radiation exposure was a transitory depression of his blood platelets. He
has been examined regularly by our medical team and no serious Findings have
been noted,
He has had the usual childhood infections, and on one occasion
he had a brief hospitalization for acute URI.
been normsl,.
PHYSICAL EXAM ON ADMISSION:
His growth and development have
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:
Thyroid scans showed a discrete area
of decreased radioactivity in the
middle portion of che left lobe.
I uptake was 24.6%, T4 level was 6.7 gi
in March, The hemogram and blood chemistry data were within normal limits.
The hospital course was uneventful.
°
He ate and slepe well and was coa-
pletely asymptomatic. The patient was given 20 pct 13ly just before discharge
to Cleveland for autoradiographic analysis of excised lesions,
Act the Cleveland Metropolitan General
Rospital on 4 June 1974, thyroid
surgery was performed by. B. M, Dobyns, M.D. There was a 3-4 mm mess in the
lefe Lede near the isthmus, a 1 ca soft mass in the superior pole and the
right lobe contained a 1 cm soft mass. ‘These were removed and the histological
diagnoses vere benign adenomas, one of which was trabecular in pattern.
His
recovery from surgery was uneventful with no 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 hospitalizacion including surgical and
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HOSPITAL COURSE:
123
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