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NORTH EAST METROPOLITAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL BOARD
MASS RADIOGRAPHY UNIT 6D
1st JANUARY TO 31st DECEMBER 1958
Introduction
During 1958 the Unit examined 39,943 males and 28,016 females, making a total of 67,959
which is an increase of nearly 4% on the previous year's figures. Up to the end of 1958 the
Unit has examined 288,413 males and 205,585 females making a grant total of 493,998 since it
commenced operations in May 1950.
Sixty-five active cases of tuberculosis have been discovered which gives a rate of .96 per
1,000 examinees. There were also discovered sixteen cases of carcinoma of the lung, which is
an increase of approximately 23% on the previous year's findings.
The zone of the Unit has remained the same, viz. City of London and the Metropolitan
Boroughs of Finsbury and Shoreditch. The modus operandi of the Unit has continued as in past
years — about nine months at the Mass Radiography Centre, 20, Golden Lane, E.C.I, with the
remaining period (excluding three weeks holiday leave) allocated to various firms and organisations.
As space, electric current and other services have to be placed at the disposal of the
Unit we gratefully acknowledge all the assistance rendered by the organisations concerned.
With the exhaustion of its stock of "Female" cards early in January 1958 the Unit discontinued
the practice of arranging separate sessions for men and women, so that both sexes are
now X-rayed during the same sessions. This is a method which has proved acceptable to the
majority of firms.
After the announcement by the Adrian Committee in the Autumn of 1958 that the radiation
dosage received by people attending a Mass Radiography Unit was negligible, the opportunity
was taken in emphasising this fact in our contacts with firms, and others.
Doctors Referrals
As intimated in our last Annual Report a new procedure for Doctors referrals was introduced
in January 1958 by means of which doctor's patients can attend the Unit while it operates at the
Mass Radiography Centre without a prior appointment. A supply of the specially designed form
was sent to all general practitioners within our zone. The response has been most encouraging
although few abnormal cases have been found.
Medical Procedure
The practice adopted in previous years has continued throughout 1958. All clinics have
recorded their sputum findings and 18 cases with a positive sputum have been reported, of which
14 were male and 4 were female.
Where an investigation was outside the province of a Chest Clinic the co-operation of St.
Bartholomews Hospital is secured, and I acknowledge my indebtedness to Dr. N.C. Oswald and
his colleagues.
Conditions of Interest other than Tuberculosis
The following cases of interest, other than tuberculosis, have been found during 1958:—
1. Tumours of the Bony Thorax
Osteoclastoma (1)
2. Cardio-vascular lesions
(a) Congenital
Dextro-cardia (8) Aortic Co-arctation (2)
Ventricular Septal Defect (3). Congenital Defect Pulmonary Artery (2)
Atrial Septal Defect (8) Anomaly Inferior Vena Cava (1)
Right Aortic Arch (1) Anomaly Aorta (1)
Congenital Pulmonary Stenosis (3) Enlarged Pulmonary Vein (1)
(b) Acquired
Bundle Branch Block (1) Calcified Pericardium (1)
Pericardial Cyst (1)
3. Abnormalities of Diaphragm
Diaphragmatic Hiatus Hernia (2) Achalasia of Cardia (2)
4. Pulmonary Conditions
Dermoid (1) Parrafin Granuloma of Lung (1)
Adenoma Bronchi (2) Aspiration Pneumonia (2)
Substernal Thyroid (4) Bronchial Cyst (1)
Neuro-fibroma (1) Hamman Rich Syndrome (1)
Sarcoidosis (11) Silicosis (2)
Hamartoma (1) Haematoma of Lung (1)
Sequestrated Segment of Lung (1)
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