Two platinum electrodes were inserted into the lung 
of a dog at a distance between them of about 5 em. Alternatively, one platinum electrode was inserted in 
lung and the other electrode, a stainless steel guide 
wire, was inserted through an intravascular catheter 
into the pulmonary artery or aorta. The introduction 
of one electrode through a transvenous catheter into 
the pulmonary artery makes it possible to use the 
branching pulmonary arterial tree as the conducting 
pathway between the electrodes. When an electrode is 
in the aorta, bronchial arteries serve as the conducting 
pathway. The electrically induced changes in tissue around a 
small, 5 mm long, intrapulmonary electrode as anode, 
with the cathode positioned in a supplying vessel 3 em 
or more distant, were found to be almost spherical. The longer string electrodes gave a more elliptical 
shape to the changes in tissue. Experiments were performed in ten dogs, first as 
chronic studies over four weeks and then acutely in 
each animal. Current was first applied between two 
electrodes in one lung. Four weeks later, current was 
applied between electrodes in the contralateral lung. Each animal was then sacrificed immediately by intra­
venous injection of a large dose of sodium pentothal. The acute effects of an applied current between an 
intravascular electrode and a percutaneously inserted 
string electrode in pulmonary parenchyma may be 
seen in a representative example in Fig. XIV: 20. The 
anodic platinum string electrode was inserted percuta­
neously into the parenchyma of the left lower lobe and 
the cathodic catheter and its guide wire of stainless 
steel into the left pulmonary artery (Fig. XIV: 20 a 
and b). Before current was applied, an arteriogram of 
the dog's left lower lobe was made with 20 ml of 60% 
Urografin. This study was normal, as seen in lateral 
projection (Fig. XIV: 20c). An electric potential of 20 volts DC was then ap· 
plied between the catheter guide wire and the plati­
num electrode, which was made electropositive. The 
initial current of about 15 milliamperes increased 
spontaneous ly and gradually to about 55 milliamperes, 
at which level it remained. A total of 180 coulombs 
was given. Arteriography was then performed. Urografin (60 Fig. XIV: 20. Acute effects 
of direct current between a 
pulmonary artery and paren· 
chyma of a dog's lung: ra­
diographs in vivo. (a) Ante· 
roposterior and (b) lateral 
radiographs before applica­
tion of current. Transvenous 
catheter in left pulmonary 
artery. Guidewire in lower 
lobe pulmonary artery 
serves as cathode ( -). Platinum electrode percuta· 
neously inserted in lower 
lobe serves as anode ( f ). (c) Control arteriogram,lat · 
eral projection, shows nor· 
mal left lower lobe pulmo· 
nary arteries. After 180 cou· 
lombs at 20 V had passed 
between the electrodes , re­
peat arteriogram (<I) shows 
blocking of pulmonary arte· 
rial branches ( \o) near the 
cathode and leakage of con· 
trast medium into the inter· 
stitial tissue near the anode 
(diffuse opacities in lower 
right part of figure). percent, 20 ml) was again injected through the catheter 
in the pulmonary artery. A cone-shaped constriction 
and nearly complete blocking of pro><irnal pulmonary 
arterial bran.ches were found adjacent ro the electrone­
gative electrode (upper contrast-fi lled vessels in Fig. XIV: 20 d). Nearer the electropositive electrode the 
contrast medium extravasated into the interstitial tis· 
sue, as seen in the lower part of Fig. XIV: 20d. At autopsy the left lower lobe was found to be bright 
red (Fig. XIV: 21). Under the intact pleura a dark 
region was seen, which on palpation corresponded to a firm tumour-like mass at the site of the anode. When 
the lung was incised, this mass was firm, like a granu· 
lorna. Its centre was white, completely dry, and mea· 
surcd 8x8x IS mm. The periphery of the mass was 
also dry but black. The total size of the white and 
black "granuloma" was 3.2x2.0x2 .0 em. The sur· 
rounding lung tissue contained an increased amoum of 
blood. The site of the intravascular cathode revealed no 
gross thrombi either on the electrode or in the vessels. Perivascular tissue, however, was rather dark and ex· 
Activation of VICC 193 Fig. XIV: 2J. Acute effects of di.rect current between a pul· 
monary artery and parenchyma of a dog's lung: autopsy 
specimen (same dog as in Fig. XIV: 20). Section through 
lower lobe reveals a 3.2X2.0X2.0cm black dry mass around 
the anode. The cathodic region in the mid upper part is oe· 
dematous and dark from blood pigment. Vessels in theca­
thodic region were not blocked by thrombosis . The vascular 
blocking shown near the cathode in Fig. XIV: 20 appeared to 
be produced by compression from interstitial oedema. The 
anodic lesion showed a smaU cemral gas cavity surrounded 
by white-gray, ctdorine-b leached material. Surrounding 
black area is caused by HCI-destroyed blood (proton diffu­
sion and migration from anodic surface). ceedingly oedemato us. Liquid flowed freely from the 
frt"$:hly inci~ct ri~f\ne in rhi~ region. Histologic sections of the mass around the anode 
showed "inflamma tory" change .~ of moderate infiltra­
tions of leukocyte s and marginal accumulations of leu­
kocytes in vessels. Oedema dominated in the tissue 
around the cathode. No thrombotic blockings were 
seen in the vessels around the anode. The blocking of 
the passage of the contrast medium in this region was 
interpreted as produced by pressure of interstitia l oe­
dema. All dogs showed similar fmdings. When two electrodes were implanted directly in the 
lung of a dog, the acute and chronic effects of direct 
current (10 volts, 200 coulombs ) were as follows: 
1. Acute anodic 
Chlorine and oxygen gas produced a gas pocket close 
to the electrode. A bleached, gray-white, dry zone was 
found around the gas pocket. This zone was surround­
ed by a la:ger, dry, gangrene-like, black zone. This 
black zone was sharply demarcated against the sur­
rounding, oondestroyed lung parenchyma and had an 
increased density. On palpation it felt like a granuloma 
or tumour. The surrounding lung tissue was dry close 
to the destroyed black zone, but peripheral to this 
194 Activation of VICC zone the tissue was oedematous. The black and white 
zones showed an acidic reaction. Microscopically they 
represented complete ly destroyed tissue. An increased 
numlxf of granulocytes was usually seen in the veins 
and in the interstitium. Thromboses were found in 
many •mall vessels and capillaries. Small arteries were 
often narrow and empty of red blood cells. 2. Acute cathodic 
Hydrogen gas produced a larger gas pocket around the 
cathodic tissue electrode than chlorine and oxygen gas 
produced around the anodic tissue electrode. The tis­
sue around the cathodic gas pocket was diffusely dark­
ly coloured and oedematous. The tissue fluid was 
pinkish and alkaline. The large amount of oedema 
fluid probably partially compressed the vessels, but 
active contraction of vessels, as was seen in the mesen­
tery, is possibly also produced in the cathodic field. Histologically, arteries and veins usually did not 
contain blood cells close to the electrode . The dark 
material was probably alkaline haem, laked from red 
blood cells. Conglomerates (probably blood protein) 
appeared as round or oval bodies in vessels. The emp­
ty blood cells could be recognized in the interstitium 
by their membrane s, which showed increased contrast 
between the interior of each cell and the surround ing 
tissue. 3. Four weeks anodic 
The appearance of this tissue was similar to that of dry 
black gangrene. Volume of the tissue was decreased, as 
an effect of dehydration and shrinkage of tissue by 
scarring. Extensive thromboses blocked vessels. Lym­
phocytes were now found in the interstitial tissue, 
which was also fibrotic. The adjacent pleura was fibro­
tically thickened. Fig. XIV:22a, surveys the anodic zone after four 
weeks. The dark part was dominated by infiltration of 
lymphocytes. Scarring was also seen at higher magnifi­
cation (Fig. XIV: 22 b). 4. Four weeks cathodic 
Tissue remained somewhat distended by oedema flu­
id. Hyaline degeneration and phagocytosis of cells 
were found alongside pulmonary fibrosis. The pleura 
was thick close to the electrode. Fig. XIV: 22 c surveys the cathodic zone. The pleu­
ra is locally thickened. Some fibrous septa partly cross 
the lung tissue. Lymphocytes are seen in Fig. XIV: 22 d at higher magnification. Fig. XIV: 22. Chronic effects of direct current between in­
trapulmonary electrodes in a dog's lung. Four weeks after 
exposure to 200 coulombs at 10 V. (a and b) In the anodic 
area, tissue is more dense than normal and extensh,ely infil­
rnned with lymphocytes (dark regions of a) and contains 
M. Discussion 
This chapter surveys some tissue and cellular changes 
induced by activation of a closed electric circuit in 
tissue. By the use of an external direct current source 
and electrodes, it is anticipated that we activate one or 
several physiologic VICC branches. Functiona l and 
developmental effects of activated VICC components 
can in this way be driven beyond the limits of their 
physiologic tolerance. Structural changes provoked in 
this way should facilitate our recognition of those func­
tional and structural effects in which BCEC systems 
are involved. In studies of this kind one should not forget that the 
amount of current per unit time flowing through a 
physiologic BCEC system is by engineering standards 
very low, probably often in the range of micromi· 
croamperes. The current may, however, flow continu· 
ously and with changing direction and magnitude 
among complex systems of ionars (Chapter XIII), 
which polarize against each other. The experimental use of unphysiologically high 
voltage differences between eleclrodes can be expected 
16-81~586 Nordnurr6m some fibrosis. (c and tf) In the cathodic area, the pleura is lo­
cally thickened. The lung tissue is slightly more dense than 
normal but less dense than the anodic tissue. Some fibrosis, 
lymphocytes and hyaline degenerati on are present. to produce unforesee n effects in a living tissue. The 
obvious risks of leading current between electrodes 
over a vital organ such as the heart need no further 
discussion in this connection. What must be pointed 
out, however, is that preferential pathways for current 
in a living tissue vary with voltage difference and 
current density. This property is easily recognized if 
we consider the functions of one conducting BCEC 
branch, the blood vessels. Because more blood is pre· 
sent in the peripheral branches t.han in the stem of a 
blood vessel, the resistance to current flow must be 
lower in the periphery than in the stem of the vessel. Consequently , the insulating properties of the vessel 
walls must be larger in the stem {thicker wall) than in 
the peripheral vessels. This balance should correspond 
to actual physiologic current densities and voltage lev­
els. If we overload the system either with too high 
current densities or by too high energy levels, the 
system goes out of order. Current will break through 
at unexpected sites of least res.istance. To direct the reader's attention to one specific fun· 
damental physiologic function of the BCEC, granulo· 
cytes were studied as they were selectively attracted to 
Activation of VICC 195 an anodic electrode, gently placed against tissue, with 
the cathode in a supplying vessel. Further, a mecha­
nism of flow and field interaction has been described 
for selective accumulation of granulocy tes around an 
electronegative electrode. It has been proposed that 
these experimems simulate the endogenous spomane­
ous mechanism of focal accumulation of granulocytes 
in tissue. Heretofore, an explanation for this character ­
istic function of granulocytes has been lacking. This 
explanation is also of practical interest because electro­
phoretic transport of granulocytes within a BCEC can 
easily be arranged with electrodes and an external 
power source for po"iblc therapeutic purposes. These 
experiments have also been used as a starting point 
toward future revision of the unfortunate concept of 
"chemotaxis". For too long this concept has served as 
a loose term concealing lack of knowledge concerning 
the true character of important biologic mechanisms. It would not be surprising if several separate biologic 
mechanisms are included within "chemotaxis ". The 
acceptance of the basic concept of BCEC makes it 
possible to defme at least one such mechanism as an 
electrophoretic closed circuit transport of charged cells 
and chemical compounds among polarizing regions of 
tissue. The acute and chronic in vivo experiments with 
large doses of current were made to study secondary 
healing processes in the anodic and cathodic sites of 
tissue. In these sites partial reactions have been en­
coumered, characteristic of spontaneo us healing of tis­
sue. It has therefore been proposed that the energy­
liberating , catabolic prooess in spontaneous tissue 
healing might be supported by an artificial activation 
of the involved circuits over implanted electrodes from 
an external source of direct current power. Research to 
be conducted along these lines will require consider­
ably more information than is now available concern­
ing induction of healing processes by direct current. We will therefore proceed with studies of partial heal­
ing phenomena in a different kind of tissue, the female 
breast (Chapter XVI), to broaden our base for further 
discussions on therapy in Chapter XVII. Chapter XV 
will now conclude the discussion of our irtitial prob­
lem: the corona structures around pulmonary masses. References 
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161. Activation of VICC. 197 XV. Corona structures around 
pulmonary masses: 
vascular-interstitial closed 
circuit effects 
The structural modifications which have here been 
named !he corona structures are not always present 
around tumours and granulomas of the lung. When 
present, corona structures show a wide range of radio­
graphic appearances. All of !heir structural comPO· 
nents are therefore not easily demonstrab le in any 
single case, which is probably the major reason why 
these structures have long been overlooked. Also it is 
always difficult to recognize structures before their 
developmental mechanisms and pathophysio logical 
significance are apparent. To demonstrate the wide range of appearances of 
corona structures, attempts have here been made to 
present both "easy" and "difficult " cases. Trained 
radiologists will recognize that to present data for 
frequency of appearance of these structures is difficult, 
similar to !he situation in radiologic assessment of 
peripheral pulmonary vascular changes, as in pulmo­
nary emphysema. It is now obvious that the corona structures have 
nothing to do with malignancy per se of a lesion, as 
was once suspected. The corona structures appear not 
infrequently around malignant tumours, but occasion­
ally also around granulomas and benign tumours. The 
srructures seem ro depend on a c<Jmmon biokinetic 
mechanism, which includes a local liberation of mergy 
after spomaneo us necrosis, bleeding or infection and the 
198 Corona structures in the lung channelizing of this energy qver biol<>gically dosed electric 
circuils (BCEC). The POlarizatio n of local tissue has been demonstrat ­
ed by measuring the electric injury potential between 
tumours or granulomas of the lung and surrounding 
tissue. The channeuzing of the energy takes place over 
vascular-interstitial conducting channels. In this sys­
tem the waJls of .. large" vessels elecuically insulate the 
plasma, which is the conducting medium. The exis­
tence of vasa vasorum of large vessels may therefore be 
regarded as an expression of the normally poor ex­
change of water, electrolytes and nutrients across the 
walls of these vessels. The large vessels function as cables 
which are insulated and electrically conducting. The plas­
ma is electrically connected to the imerstitial fluid over the 
walls of the capillaries, which, of course, are permeable 
to water and electrolyt es. It is also suggesred that elec­
trode-equivalent sites in the circuic are localized co the 
endothelial cell membranes of the capillaries, whi<h also 
possess a mechanism of variable "short''-and "long"· 
discance se/eccive electrogeni< transports. This BCEC is 
here named the vascular-interstitial closed circuit (VICC). The morphology and function of rhis circuit are 
seemingly very simple. On closer inspection, irs com­
plexity and importance for biochemical reactions and 
morphology will soon become apparent. At this june­
lUre, we will only summarize and discuss implications Fig. XV: I a. Degradation 
and polarization of a tumour 
in an electropositive phase, 
compared to the surround· 
ing tissue: physiologic and 
st.ructural effects. Closed 
circuit transports of ions and 
water are induced over a 
vascular·interstitial dosed 
circuit. Dielecuic material 
undergoes dipole induction. The resulting effects are 
modified by chemical con· 
centration forces, volume· 
pressure changes in the rna· 
trix and circulatory changes. The driving electrical force 
of the degrading , energy-lib· 
ernting, catabolic process of 
injury will fluctuate from 
anodic (a) into cathodic (b) 
phases, attenuating toward a 
state of equilibrium ("heal· 
ing"), as is the case with all 
spontaneous reactions. The 
tumour barrier represents 
the outer permeable sieve of 
the tumour. of the VICC as a mechanism for developing corona 
structures in the lung. In turn, appreciation of this 
mechanism will facilitate understanding in other chap· 
ters the research based on the principle of BCEC systems. To avoid repetition , several concepts treated in pre· 
ceding chapters will be mentioned only in passing: the 
levelling of a fluctuating ionic energy potential between 
polarizing tissue regions over BCEC channels, and the 
necessity of intersected redox steps in the circuits. Fig. XV: I is designed to illustrate the relation of 
the actual biokinetic events and the structural modifi· 
cations they cause during (a) a phase of anodic polar-
Fig. XV: I b. The tumour of 
Fig. XV: I a, but its polarity 
in relation to surrounding 
tissue has become reversed. For simplicity, only some 
effects on water transpon 
have been indicated. Note 
that osmosis and clcctroo :s· 
mosis now tend to move wa· 
ter toward the electronega­
tive tumour, causing perifo· 
cal oedema, and local com· 
pression and outward dis­
placement of suuctures in 
the peritumoural tissue such 
as vessels. rumour centre electroneoatlve ... -.--~Concentratio n fon:ee 
A~d. fQo~mttlon 
;-fis'iui cfyitioPhY -I 
Tiswe distensiOt'l 
1 "A· zone effe~t 1 : Ch·cut•r di19laceme nt1 
1 of atructur.. • ---------· 
ization of a lung tumour and (b) during a phase of 
cathodic polarization . The electropositive, degrading centre of the tumour 
(Fig. XV: I a) will induce electroosmotic ourward drift of 
water, which will be modified by inward osmotic trans­
port of water, entering the tumour. In the relatively 
electronegative surroundings of the tumour, outward 
electroosmotic transport of water will produce a radio­
lucent zone, the hydropenic "A" zone. The outward 
dispwcemmt of water against a hydrostatic gradient will 
then lead beyond the "A" zone to a radiodense, hydro­
pic "B" zone. Compression and 
outward displacement 
of veasels charges) 
Corona structures in the lung 199 In the subsequent phase (Fig. XV: I b), when the 
injured tissue in the cenrre of the rumour becomes 
cathodic in relation to the surrounding normal tissue, 
water will disappear froni the oedematous "B" zone 
tissue and move instead to the previously dry anodic 
tissue. Compression and peripheral dislocation of ves­
sels around the tumour will result from this new move­
ment of water. Osmotic inflow of water entering the 
degrading tissue will also be enhanced by electroosmo­
tic inflow. The phase of liquefaction of the necrotic 
tissue now ensues. Under the influence of an elecrric field, the perme­
ability of capillaries also changes. Combined with 
changes in hydrostatic pressure, the electric field ef­
fects will modify local content of water in the various 
parts of the electric field. The regional distribution of 
water is therefore one factor which is demonstrable by 
radiographi cally observable chllllges of radiopacity in pul­
monary tissue. Simultaneously, radiographic differences of opacity 
are produced also by media other than water. Dehydra­
tion around a lung tumour will increase compensawrily the 
amount of air around the tumour, radiographically en­
hancing the radiolucency of tills water-depleted zone. Changes of radiographic opacity further may he 
produced by electrophoretic transport of materials, e.g., 
cellular debris and macromolecules, which may pos­
sess varying attenuation coefficients for x-rays. Field-induced increase of c•pillary permeability can 
also explain the fmding in angiography of the so-called 
contrast enhancement effects (page 176) around neo­
plasms, abscesses and haematomas (6, 9, 12). Contrast 
enhancement may also be incrt~aS<. '<l by capillary 
thromboses, causing blindly ending vascular pockets, 
which in turn may lead to redistributi on of blood flow. Spomaneously occurring dymophy of perirumoural tis ­
sue may follow thromboses in capillaries and other 
small vessels near a lesion in the lung during spontane­
ously or artificially polari?.ed electropositive phases of 
the tissue. Thl'Se electric effects may also enhance 
other structural changes in the perirumoural tissues, 
e.g., circular displacemem of strucrures, and the devel­
opment of "A" and "B" zones. During the elecrrone­
gativc: phase these aJtc:ratiom; are abo enhanced by the 
development of perifocal oc<lcma, local destru<lion of 
red blood cells and their laking of blood pigment (page 
180). Vascular narrowing s and thromboses around a po­
larizing lung lesion can be demonstrated by densitome­
try. In 1946 Marchal (7) reponed that vascular pulsa­
tions are often decreased on roentgen densitometry 
around carcinomas of the lung. He described this finding 
as a sign of malignancy. Now it appears likely that 
vascular narrowings and thromboses caused the de· 
crease in observed pulsations, which in the present 
study have been found to develop spontaneously 
200 Corona structures in the lung around polarizing tumours. These elecrric field effects 
on vessels are absent around oonpolarizing malignant 
rumours. They can, however, also he found around 
polarizing granulomas or benign rumours. It is the 
author's opinion, therefore, that the decreased pulsa­
tions around o tumour are not n volid radiolog ic sign of 
malignancy. A VICC-system will also permit electrophoretic trans­
ports of anions and caticns in interstitial spaces (Fig. XV: I a). Some of these charged units are nonperme­
able, e.g., cells and macromolecules. These oonper· 
meable ions accumulate in the inner and outer parts of 
the "rumour barrier·", leading to a charge separation 
not unlike a Donnan distribution of ions at a semiper· 
meable membrane. This analogue includes also a net 
accumulation of charge, a "slipping plane" (see Fig. X: 8) outside a polarizing lesion. An excess of counter­
ions is then rrapped in the outer boundary of the 
rumour barrier and in adjacent surrounding tissue, 
panly as an effect of electrophoret ic transports within 
the VICC. The "slipping plane" of an outwardly de­
creasing concentration of cations will even present an 
amount of charge which may exceed the charge of the 
central degrading process. This is in turn an effect of 
cum. :euu aliun (adsorption ) fun.:cs. The rcsuJliu~ cxce:s.s 
of charge of the periphery of such a centrally polariz­
ing lesion does not represent thermody namically avail­
able energy, except during the time of development of 
the "slipping plane". The surface wpography oj a polarizing body influences 
structural development by modifying the induced elec­
trical forces (page 95). This effect is explained as 
follows: when the surface of a charged body has pro­
truding edges, so-called c<lge enhancement will devel­
op in the electric field. The induced electric field will 
become monger along imaginary "field lines" starting 
at the protrusions. These .. lines" proceed straight in 
the tissue and may alter the configurations of existing 
structures. Movable dielectric compounds, e.g., cells, 
debris, macromolecules, etc., tend to orient them­
selves along the field lines. In this way, radiating 
structures will start to develop around any polarizing 
degrading tumour or granuloma provided with small 
protrusions on its surface. In vivo, such radiating 
structures may extend several em into the tissue. This 
observation indicates that the electric field is produced 
within a closed electric circuit. Corresponding electro­
static fields can only influence material close to the 
charged body. Experiments with electrically charged bodies and 
nonienic corpuscular grains (Chapter X) showed, on 
grounding the terntinals, that the grains spontaneously 
produced several free zone!, each several millimerres in 
diameter, close to the terminal$. These zones were as­
cribed to the effects of concentration forces among the 
grains. After a potential difference was applied be· tween th: terminals, the grains formed radiating struc­
tures by dipole induction in the dielectric material. Arch· 
es and arcades were also produced as a consequence of 
interactions among concentration forces, edge en· 
haneemcnts and the applied electric field forces. The 
modulati~n of edge enhancement by supporting matrice< 
could also be simulated (Fig. X: 4). Thus far, we have based our discussion mainly on in 
vitro experiments of the effects of induced closed elec· 
tric circuits on dielectrics, matrices and concentrat ion 
forces. The corona structures in vivo are, however, 
also partly explained by closed circuit effects on trans· 
port of ions. The closed circuit structural changes produced in 
vitro wctc also produced in vivo in dogs (Chapter XI) 
and demonstrated radiographically in vivo around tu· 
mours in patients (Chapters Ill, IV). The structura l 
changes are not specific to the biologic type of tissue. As we will see shortly (Chapter XVI), closed circui: 
electric forces are also capable of inducing changes in 
the quahty of the different components in a tissue. Such mechanisms , for example, are involved in quali· 
tativc differentiation of radiatirJg fibrouJ tissue struc­
tures. The radiating structures which are radiographically 
visible a10und lung tumours can be seen histologica lly 
to consis! mainly of fibrotic material (3). This material 
contains both retractible hygroscopic fibres and colla· 
gen fibres, which are nonhygroscopic. Like ordinary 
scar tissue, radiating structures around a lung lesion 
may contract. The contraction explains the develop­
ment of changes here described as lamellae and retrac­
tion pockus filled with pleural fluid (Chapter Ill). Lo­
cal dehydration of tissue in the hydropenic zone bas 
been interpreted as leading to the contraction of fibro­
tic radiating structures. Electrochemical polarization within a BCEC will 
produce boundary phenomena at the inner and outer 
barriers of a centrally nl'Crotizing tumour. Varying 
profiles of potential appear in and around a tumour, 
depending on the directions of potential gradients in 
the tissues and the amount and quality of transportable 
permeable and nonpermeable ions. In this way it can 
be understood that an autolytic electronegative phase 
is able to attract permeable cations, i.e., calcium and 
magnesium. Combinat ion of these two ions with phos­
phate and carbonic ions in the autolytic tissue should 
eventually lead to the intratumoural precipitation of 
calcium dnd magr1esium phosphate and carbonate, which 
are the main constituents in calcified, previously in· 
jured tissue. Healed granulomas of infectious origin in 
the lung commonly contain calcification, radiographi­
cally demonstrable in vivo. Pulmonary neoplasms oc­
casionally contain foci of microcalcilication, practicall y 
always invisible to clinical radiography but demonstra · 
ble histologically. The ptesence of "A" and "B" ~ones, rad.iatjog 
structures, circular displacements of tissue structures, 
arches and arcades, lamellae and retraction pockets 
(Chapter III) consequently do not indicate that the 
underlying pathologic process is malignant or benign. Nonspecific processes of degradation , however, such 
as bleeding, necrosis, or infection, are very common in 
malignant tumours. These degrading processes may 
induce any one or several of the above-listed eight 
structural changes, which should always raise clinical 
suspicion of possible malignanc y. As will be shown in 
the next chapter, the same reasoning also applies to the 
occurrence of pathological ductal and vascular struc­
tures. The spontaneous accumulation of granulocytes in 
injured tissue and around the anode in experimental 
electrophoretic polarization of tissue has also been 
described (Chapter XIV). Because granulocytes are 
electronegative , in an electric field they must move to 
the anode. The proposed vascular-interSiitial closed cir­
cuit (V ICC) can then explain the aurae~wn of granulo­
cytes as an eleccrophoretic process in a locally polarizing 
tissue. This process is a further example of biological 
effects which can be produced in tissue under the 
influence of an activated BCEC. Already at relatively 
low levels of applied potential, e.g., 1-2 V, granulo· 
cytes are attracted extensively around the anode. When potential differences arc relatively high, e.g., 
5-10 V, the attracted granuloq~es are to a large extent 
destroyed. So-called chemotacric movemem of white blood cells 
toward bacteria and necrotic cell mat<rial has trad.i­
tionally been described as induced by "chemical sig· 
nals" (1, 2, 5). Neither such signals nor the actual 
forces which stimulate the white cells to move have 
been adequately defined so far. It is here suggested 
thattlu accumuhuwn of granulocytes in acute tissue injury 
may be explained as electrophoretic transport of d1ese 
electronegative cells to the region of an electropositive f~eld 
in a BCEC. Once the white blood cells have crossed 
the capillary membranes and entered the interstitial 
tissue spaces, the cells can hardly be anticipated to 
take the same way back to the blood stream after the 
polarity of the pathologi c process is eventuall y re­
versed. This process is again an example of the influ­
ence of a matrix in the transformation of tissue. In 
addition, a mechanism of interaction between blood flow 
and electric fields has been described, which is capable of 
accumularing granulocytes around an elecrrmtegative focus 
of a VICC. Whatever the further background mechanisms may 
be behind the local attraction of white blood cells out 
of the blood stream, it appears possible now to utilize 
for rherapy tlu proposed electrophoretic mechanisms of 
allraction. Under fluoroscopic control, tiny platinum 
electrodes can C'dSily be inserted percutaneously into 
Corona structures in the lung 201 tissue. Electric potential differences of suitable magni­
tude, duration and polarity can then be applied be­
tween the electrodes to attract large numbers of white 
blOod cells into the diseased r<gion. C<>rrespondingly, 
electrophoretic transport and destruction of microor­
ganisms can be obtained against the anode (bacteria 
are reported to carry a surplus of electronegative 
charges, except Spirochaeta pailida, which is electro­
positive). Four weeks after utificial electrophoretic 
treatment of lung tissue in a do.g (Chapter XIV), scars 
were found at the previous sites of the anode and 
cathode. "Inflammatory " reactions were evident in 
the surrounding tissue. Granulocytes at this time were 
not present; lymphocytes were seen at the previous 
sites of electroposit ive electrodes. Cavitation was also 
noted around the electrodes, residual from the me­
chanical effects of gas produced electrochemically 
from transformed tissue around the electrodes. Because different chemical agents can carry a net 
surplus of electric charges, they may potentially be 
attracted to locally diseased tissue in order to· affect 
beneficially a pathologic process. This proposed prin­
ciple was initially tested experimentally with Evans 
blue (Chapter XIV). This compound accumula ted, 
well visible, in vivo in the tissue around the cathode. The therapeutic possibilities of electrochemical attrac­
tion appear to warrant further study. Morphologic changes have also been observed in 
individual red blood ce/Js (page 180). In the electric 
field the transport of material over the cell membranes 
is evidently altered in different ways around the anode 
and cathode. The mechanisms of these changes seem 
to offer possibilities for studies of the function of cell 
membranes themselves . The existence of a BCEC allows ionic transports 
among adjacen1 polarizing tissue regions or organs. The 
BCEC may be involved i11 embryonic development of 
structures, including membranes and qrgan capsules. How membrane structures develop is still poorly un­
derstood and has been a subject of intense discussions 
in the past (4, 8, 10, 11). Structures developing as 
polarization products over a Jl.CEC offer a proposed 
mechanism which can easily be simulated in vivo. These first IS chapters have presented lines of dis-
202 Corona structures in the lung covery arising from the original radiologic observation 
of corona structures around pulmonary tumours. It is now 
apparent that most of these structures can be explained 
as products of physicochemical polarization over a BCEC. In fact, we seem here to have encountered a basic 
biokinetic mechanism of healing, structuring and 
function of tissue. The next chapter extends these tines 
of investigation by considering another organ which 
commonly contains tumours, the female breast. Reference s 
I. Athens, J. W.: Blood: leucocytes. Ann. Rev. Physiol. 25: 195, 
1963. 2. Boyden, S.: CciJular I'(:C(lgnition of foreign mane.r. Int. Rev. Exp. Path. 2:311, 1963. 3. Dahlgren, S., and NordenstrOm, B.: Transthoracic needle biop· 
sy. Stockholm, Almqvist & Wik.sdl, 1966. 4. Edds, M.. V., Jr., and Sweeny, P. R.: Chemical and morpho· 
logical differentiation of the basement lamella. In: Rudnick, D. (ed. ): Synthesis of molecular and cellular structure. Society for 
the Study of Development and Growth, Symposium 19. New 
York, Ronald Press, 1960, p. ll l. 
S. Harris, H.: Mobilization of defensive cells in inflammatory 
tissue. Bact. Rev. 24:3, 1960. 6. Hatam, A., Bcrgvall, U., Levander , R., LarsSQn, S .• and Lind, 
M. .. : Contrast medium enhancement with time in romputer 
tomography . Diffe~ntial diagnosjs of intracr.miallcsions. Acta 
!Udiol. Suppl. 346, 1975. 7. Marchal, M. M.: De l'cnrcg istrt. ·-rru~nt des pulsations invisibles 
du parenchyme pulmonaire ainsi que: des pul$llion s cardiovas· 
culaires par Ia cin&lensigraphie . Arch. Mal. du Coeur 39:345, 
1946. 8. Nadol, J. B., Jr., Gibbins, J. R., and Porter, K. R.: A reinter· 
prc:tation of the: structure: and dc:\·clopment of the basement 
lamella: an ordered array of collagen in fish skin. Dev. Bioi. 20:304, 1969. 9. NordensttOm, B., Ovenfors , C.-0., and TOmell, G.: Coronary 
angiography in 100 casc.-s of ischemic hean disease. Radiology 
78:714, 1962. 10. Pierce, G. B., Jr., Beals, T. F., Ram, J. S., and Midgley, A. 
R., Jr.: Basement membran es. IV. Epithelial origin and im­
munologic cross reactions. Am. I. Pathol. 45: 929, 1964. 11. Porter, K. R.: Morphogen C$iS of conn~tive tissue. In: Su:· 
phens, C. A. L., Jr., and Stanfield, A. 8. (c:ds. ): Cellular 
concepts in rheumatoid arthritis. Springfield, Ill., C. C. "fbom· 
as, 1966, p. 6. · 
ll. Stc:inkoff, H., and Aviles, C. H.: Contrast enhancement re· 
sponse of intracranial neoplasms. Its vaJjdity (()r the differe-ntial 
diagnosis of tumours in CT. In: Lauksch, W .• and Kazner, E. (cd!i. ): Cranial computerized tomography. Berlin, Springer, 
1976. XVI. Tissue transfonttations over 
BCEC in cancer of the breast 
Radiographic demonstration in the lung of corona 
structures raises the important question of their possi· 
ble demonstration in other organs. The variety of 
pathological conditions in which pulmonary corona 
structures appear indicates that these structural 
changes are not specific to particular pulmonary dis· 
eases. Nevertheless, the structural changes are suffi· 
ciently characteristic to suggest a specific type of reac· 
tion in tissue. The lungs happen to be a favourable organ for 
radiologic examinations because air provides excellent 
contrast with intrapulmonary structures of radiogra­
phic water density. The female breast is a similarly 
favoured organ, except that fat is the component pro· 
viding contrast with the structures of radiographic 
water density. Our mammographic collection was therefore re· 
viewed to see if tissue changes in the female breast, 
similar to those in lung, could be found. Even a brief 
review of a series of routine mammograms of breast 
carcinomas showed structural changes easily recogniz· 
able as similar to corona suuctures around lung le· 
sions. A number of structural changes around carcinomas 
of the brc.ast have been well described, i.e., radiating 
structures, '"skin thickening ", skin retraction and mi-crocalcifications (2, 6, 14, 19, 21, 30, 31, 38, 41, 42, 
48, 49, 55, 60, 66, 67, 82). The presence of these 
particular structural alterations , however, lacks as yet 
a fully acceptable explanation. In part they are even 
interpreted incorrectly . Moreover, this chapter idcnti· 
fics additional radiographi cally visible structures 
around breast cancers, similar to those around lung 
cancers. These changes have, to the author's know· 
ledge, not been described previously and consist of the 
radiolucent "A" zone, the formation of archt$ and arcades 
and the presence of circularly arranged structures in the 
tissue surrounding certain cancers. Also corresponding 
to the corona complex in the Uung are radiating fibrous 
srnwurts, skin thickening and skin retraction. We wiU 
therefore start to make an inmxluctory identification 
of structural components of the corot~a complex of the 
breast. Their development and significance will be the 
subjt'Ct of further analysis later in this chapter. The mammognphic images shown in this chapter 
are all made with compression technique , except for 
the xcroradiographs, which do not require compres· 
sion. Some of the radiographically demonstrable changes 
in tissue around a breast cancer are shown in Fig. XVI: I. Thin radiatit~g structures extend perpendicular· 
ly to the surface of the tumour, a "radiolucem" zone is 
BCEC in cancer of the breast 203 Fig. XV I: I. Corooa structures around a ductal breast caret· 
noma (62-year·old woman). (a) Thin radiating structures 
emerge from the surface of the tumour. (b) The same tU· 
mour (different exposure aod projection ) shows calcification , 
a peritwnoural radiolucent ''A" zone (dark "halo" around 
the tumour), so-called skin thickening (corresponding 10 a 
hydropic "8" zone), skin retraction and circularly arranged 
$tructu~ s (arrow)at the periphery of the radiolucent "A" 
zone. adjacent to the tumour and calcijicatio" is in the ru· 
mour. In many other cases scattered microcalcifications 
are presem. These morphologi c changes in cases of 
breast cancer are often accompanied by what is called 
thickening and local retraction of the ski11 (Fig. XVI: I b), 
which represents a special case of a "B" zone. Some of the radiographically demonstrable coronal 
changes in breast cancer are also shown in the xcrora· 
diograph in Fig. XVI: 2. A radiolucent zone 2-3 mm 
broad surrounds the carcinoma. Many thin radiating 
structures extend from the surface of the tumour into 
the surrounding breast tissue. The skin adjacent to the 
tumour also appears thickened and retracted toward 
the cancer. Some microcalcifications were also found 
histologically in th.is tumour after mastectomy. As in the lung, corona structures in the breast ac· 
company a wide variety of pathologic conditions. Dif· 
ferent morphologic observations have been the subject 
204 BCEC in cancer of the breast of many fruitless attempts in the past to obtain "reli· 
able" diagnostic or radiologic signs of malignancy, 
especially in lesions of the breast and lung. Radiogra· 
phic demonstration of mammary microcalcifications, 
when present in groups of more than 10 particles, has 
been considered specific for malignancy (52). "Malig· 
nant microcalcifications " are, however, not specific for 
malignancy (14, 55). Microcalcifications remain useful 
in the mammographic analysis of possible carcinoma 
of the breast but their demonstration can no longer be 
regarded as pathognomonic of cancer. Similar statemeots can in the author's opinion be 
made about many other diagnostic signs in current 
use, e.g., radiating fibrous structures, "skin thicken· 
ing" and retraction , increased calibre of mammary 
vessels and local increase of temperature in the breast. As long as the pathogenesis of these different 
changes in tissue remains unclear, attempts to evaluate 
their diagnostic and biologic significance will continue 
as gropings in the dark. Final proofs of all possible correlat ions between the 
observed structural changes around tumours and che.ir 
underlying pathophysiology are an impossibility to 
present at this time. Nevertheles s, the author hopes 
that the evidence from breast lesions, just as from lung 
lesions, will focus the reader's attention on the ability 
of the concept of activated, biologically closed electric 
circuits (BCEC) tO explain structural development in 
tissue injury and particular ly around cancers. Like lung cancers, cancers of the breast vary in their 
radiographic appearance . One or several of the radio­
graphic signs shown in Figs. XVI: I and 2 may be 
absent. It is understandab le that variations in the ap­
pearance of the tissue around breast tumours have for 
a long time been thought to depend on such factors as 
the structural or cellular rype of the tumour. Evidence to be: pre-sented in this chapter suggests 
that locally polarizing injuries inside a breast carcino­
ma act through a BCEC to induce morphologic 
changes both inside and outside the cancer. Such in· 
juries are commonly encountered in tissue as nonspeci· 
fie degrading processes , including inside malignant 
tumours. Degradation of tissue can be looked on as 
nonspecific , but it still must be regarded as a h.igbly 
specific part of • biologic cycle. It represent s the final 
phase of living cellular structures. Often it also repre· 
sents the beginning of integration of material and encr· 
gy into new structures. BCEC systems enable morphology to be regarded as 
a manifestation of ongoing physiologic events. As long 
as morphology is regarded statically, our possibilities 
to understand morphologic variability will be stunted. Electric polarization in breast tumours will now be 
described. Correlations will be shown to be possible 
between certain morphologica l changes of brt-ast lc· 
sions and their electric properties. Fig. XVI: 2. Corona structures around a breast carcinoma 
(68-ycar-old woman, xm>radiognpb expoeed without rom­
pr<$Sion of the breast). Radiating structures extend pupen-
A. Electric polarization in 
breast cancer 
In the breast, as well as in the lung or any mher tissue, 
any local injury, e.g., focal bleeding or necrosis, cre­
ates a source of liberation of energy. The developing 
physicochemical energy potential can easily be recog­
nized by its electric potential ("tlmric injury porm­
tiaf'). By means of a second prerequisite, the proposed 
biologically closed electric circuit (BCEC), available en­
ergy will be :released efficiently , permilling electro­
phoretic and electroosmotic transport s between the 
injured and surrounding noninjured tissues. Assuming these two important components, the de­
velopment and appearance of many of the characteris ­
tic morphologic changes in and around breast ru­
mours, like those of lung rumours, can be explained. Breast tissue becomes injured in a variety of ways, 
e.g., trauma, focal necrosis from nutritional distur­
bances within a lesion, haemorrhage and infection. Our first task will therefore be to explore the electric 
properties of tumours in the breast. 1. Case material and methods 
Measurements of tissue profile of electric potential 
were made in mammary rumours of 16 consenting dicular to the surface of the tumour (D. A thin radiolucent 
"A" zone outlines the periphery of the tumour. Overlying 
skin is "thickened" and retracted (arrows). patiems. These studies were performed in association 
with diagnostic biopsy and implantation of metal indi­
cators immediately before surgical treatment. The aim 
was to search for possible spontaneous electric polar­
ization in breast tumours similar to the findings in 
pulmonary tumours. The same type of nonpolariz.able , silver-silver chlo­
ride electrodes with potassium chloride bridges was 
used as in the final series of measurements of potential 
in lung tumours. The DC potential was measured 
between a grounded electrode in the subcutis of the 
ipsilateral shoulder and the "exploring" electrode, 
which was moved through the tumour and the adja­
cent tissue. Retraction of the exploring electrode was 
obtained by means of the driving mechanism of the 
recording instrument, the Grass chart writer (Modd 
7B, Polygraph , Grass Instrument Company, 101 Old 
Colony Avenue, Quincy, Mass. 02169, USA), in order 
to assure as good a correlation as possible between 
electrode position and tracing. Localization of the rumours and introduction of the 
electrodes were made with a stereotaxic instrument 
previously developed by our group (16, 76) for biopsy 
of nonpalpable breast lesions (Fig. XVI: 3) (Manufac­
tured by TRC AB, P.O. Box 50100, S-10405 Stock­
holm, Sweden). This insuume.nt allows the insertion 
of biopsy cannulas (75) to a predetermined place in the 
breast with a precision of ±0.5 mm. After the x, y and 
z coordinates in the system were calculated, the elec-
BCEC in cancer of the breast 205 a 
I 
c 
2mV! 206 BCEC in cancer of the breast Fig. XV/:3. Stereotaxic 
radiographic unit devel­
oped for exact localization 
and percutaneous needle 
biopsy of nonpalpable 
breast lesions. The instru­
ment was used in this 
study for the insertion of 
nonpolarizable electrodes 
to measure electric poten­
tials of breast tumours and 
their surroundings in rela­
tion to a grounded refer· 
ence electrode in the sub. cutis. <rode was inserted perpendicu larly to the x-ray beam 
in the plane of the calculated z-coordinate. It was then 
possible stcrcoradiographically to document the posi­
tion of the electrode in relation to the surfaces of a 
tumour and the skin. 2. Results 
Electric potential measurements in I 6 mammary carci· 
nomas and surrounding tissues revealed characteristic 
patterns. Fig. XVI: 4a shows the radiograph of a 
breast cancer. Small radiating structures extend more 
or less perpendicular to the surface of the tumour. In 
Fig. XV/:4. Electric potenti21 of a breast carcinoma. Mam­
mography (a) shows an undifferentiated fibrous breast can­
cer, appearing as a lobulated tumour (64-year-old 
woman). Some radiating and thjn .. circular" structures (ar­
rows) are evident at a distance from the cancer. (b) Position 
of the inserted electrode. (<)Potential tracing obtained as the 
electrode was evenly retracted. The cancer contain.s a W­
shaped negative potential in relation to surrounding tissue. An ecg is superimposed on the tracing. Correlations between 
the measured potentials and ~pc<:ific anatomic sites were ob~ 
tained by using the chart driving device to retract the elec­
trode. Grounded reference electrode in the subcutis of the 
shoulder. Fig. XVI: 5. Electric poten­
tial of a well differentiated 
ductal breast carcinoma (ar­
rows) in a 57-year-old wom­
an. (a) Craniocaudal, (b) lat­
eral xeroradiographs . (c) Three tracings of potential 
through the tumour are 
shown. (d) The postoper­
ath·e specimen contains 
three bleeding tracks, repre­
senting the three paths of 
the electrode. W -shaped po­
tential inside the tumour is 
negative relative ro sur­
rounding tissue. Ecg is su­
perimposed in the tracings. Grounded reference elec­
trode in the subcutis of the 
shoulder. c 
the breast tissue around the tumour some thin struc­
tures (arrows) may also be seen in a circular arrange­
menl. Such thin structural alterations are common 
around breast carcinomas, but to the knowledge of the 
author, have not been described previously (see also 
Figs. XVI: 1, 6, 14b, 22 and 23). The exploring electrode is shown in Fig. XVI: 4 bin 
the breast before it was slowly and evenly puJJed out. Fig. XVI: 4c shows the tracing of the tissue profile of 
electric potential as the needle was pulled out. The regular fine changes represent a superimposed ecg. Inside the tumour the tissue potential was 5 m V nega­
tive compared with the tissue surrounding the tumour. In the central part of the tumour the negative potential 
was elevated 2.5 mV, making the profile of potential 
look like a W. 
The tracings usually vary depending on the course 
of the electrode pass.ing through the tumour. For ex­
ample, Fig. XVI: 5 (craoiocaudal (a) and lateral (b) 
xeroradiographs) shows a carcinoma in the medial and 
BCEC in cancer of the breast 207 Fig. XV 1:6. Mammograms of ductal breast carcinoma (80· 
year·old woman, G. P .) before measurement of electric po· 
tcntial (sec Fig. XVI: 7). (a) The tumour is surrounded by 
radiating strucrures. Arches are suggested (arrows). (b) Firm 
<:ompression stretches these arc-hes, which now form a circu-
superior part of the left breast. No radiolucent zone is 
seen, but the cancer does show some irregular radiat· 
ing structures. The postoperative specimen (d) demon· 
strates in the tumour some small haemorrhages, 
produced during the preoperative needle biopsy and 
insertion of the needle electrode. The three electric 
potential recordings in Fig. XVI: 5 c show negative w. 
shaped deflections as the electrode passed through the 
tumour. The amplitude of the superimposed ecg re· 
mained unchanged. An explanatio n for the slightly different appearanc es 
of the three tracings in Fig. XVI: 5 c may be that a 
spontaneo us redistribution of material has taken place 
inside the degrading tissue and between it and sur­
rounding tissue. Small differences in the site of pas­
sage of the electrode will result in different proftles of 
potential, as illustrated in one patient with seven trac­
ings of potential from slightly different parts of the 
tumour (Figs. XVI: 6 and 7). Two radiographs of this 
208 BCEC in cancer of the breast -
br structure (arrow). This result is possible because of the 
existence of pcritumoural "B" zone oedema (sec Table 
XVI: 2 for analysis of tissue water). (c) Lateral and (d) fran· 
tal views of electrode in relation to the cancer before one of 
the measurements of potential. tumour (Fig. XVI: 6a, b) reveal very thin radiating 
structures at its surface. Fig. XVI: 6a shows some 
arches in the peritumoural tissue (arrows). On firmer 
compression of the breast a circular structure can be 
seen (Fig. XVI: 6 b, arrows), wbich is partly composed 
of stretched arches (left) and partly of a vessel (right). This effect is explained by the compression augment· 
ing the local turgor pressure of peritumoural oedtma. Tbe oedema was verified after mastectomy (see Table 
XVI: 2). Electric pOtential in this tumour (Fig. XVI: 7) was 
negative in relation to its surroundings. The first five 
tracings illustrate a W -shaped pattern, while the two 
bottom tracings show only a V-shaped pattern. This 
finding has been interpreted as follows: the interior of 
the tumour contained material with a surplus of nega­
tiv~ charges. The centre of the tumour contained a 
smaller surplus of negative charges than the periphery. When the electrode traversed the central part, the Electrode ~ in 
zmvJ ~ 
in 
out 
out 
Fig. XVI: 7. Seven tracings of eleetric potential through dif­
ferent parts of a breast carcinoma (same patient as in Fig. XVI: 6, before mastectomy). Tracings of potential were ob­
tained by inserting (in) or retracting {our) the exploring elec· 
!rOde. The upper five tracings show a W-shaped tissue pro­
file of potential and the lowest two a V -shaped profile. These 
findings arc interpreted as caused by an electronegative inte­
rior of the tumour but a less electronegative tumour centre 
(W-shape). When the electrode passed exccntrically through 
the tumour only one negative deflection (V-shape) was ob­
tained. Grounded reference eleetrode in the subcutis of the 
shoulder. profile of potential was W-shaped, as seen in the five 
top tracings. When the electrode traversed only the 
periphery of the tumour, outside the less electronega ­
tive central region, only one negative deflection oc­
curred. Its profile was V-shaped , as seen in the two 
bottom tracings. To the right of the tracings of potential (Fig. XVI: 7) is indicated whether the tracing was obtained 
on introducing (in) or retracting (out) the electrode. This distinction is important because slight changes of 
pressure in the agar-KCJ bridge may produce arte­
facts. As is evident, the tracings were not influenced 
by this mechanical factor. A broad radiolucent zone was seen around the mam­
mary carcinoma shown in Fig. XVI: 8. The tumour, 
which contains microcalcifications, is also surrounded 
by radiating structures. The irregular radiolucent zone 
is identified by its low x-ray attenuation, indicated by 
the Jess blackened areas. Below this zone, a Jess radio­
lucent zone is seen, which ordinarily might be de­
scribed as "skin thickening" . These zones resemble 
the previously described hydropenic "A" zone and 
hydropic "B" zone in the lung. The exploring elecuode is seen in Fig. XVI: 8b after 
its introduction through the centre of the tumour. The 
tip of the electrode is now positioned in the "A" zone 
to the left of the tumour. Upon slow, even withdrawal 
of the electrode, a posiriWJ porenrial compux com~­
sponded to the site of the tumour, as seen in Fig. XVI: 8c. The carcinoma shown in Fig. XVI: I is also sur­
rounded by a clearly visible radiolucent zone, approxi­
mately one em wide. A positive potential was obtained 
in this tumour in relation to surrounding tissue, as 
seen in Fig. XVI: 9. The poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma seen in 
Fig. XVI: lOa also showed a positive deflection of 
potential in relation to surrounding tissue (Fig. XVI: lOb). This tumour is seen surrounded by a 
relatively broad, radiolucent "A" zone and a radio­
dense "B" zone. No radiating structures or circularly 
running structures are seen in the tissue surrounding 
this tumour. In these respects its radiographic appear­
ance is rather similar to that of a pulmonary hamar­
toma. The electronegative potentials of the breast cancers 
illustrated are representative of the findings for twelve 
of the patients. Three carcinomas and one fibroadeno ­
ma were electropositive in relation to surrounding tis­
sue. The potential profiles can for most carcinomas be 
described as W-or M-shaped. The electric potential 
differences between maximum deflection in the tu­
mour and surrounding tissue have varied by ± 15 m V 
among different rumours. These studies of electric 
potential were performed on only one occasion in each 
patient before mastectom y. As in the lung, each of the 
breast rumours showed a characteristic and reproduc­
ible profile of potential, but, as also was found in lung 
tumours, no correlation was found with the histologic 
type of neoplasm. 3. Discussion and conclusio ns 
Collecting a series of patients for studies of electric 
potential presents many difficulties. The material is 
therefore not randomized and is limited to 117 pulmo­
nary lesions, mostly carcinomas (Chapter VI), and 16 
mammary tumours, including IS carcinomas. Trac-
BCEC in cancer of the breast 209 a 
-20 -10 0 10 20 
c 
Io.smv 
Fig. XVI: 9. Tracing oft'lcctrk pou:ntia.l from a breast can­
cer ln a 62-year-old woman (mammograms already shown in 
Fig. XVI: 1). Two positive deOections sugge!t an M-shape of 
(Xltential profiJe through the mmour. Grounded reference 
electrode in the subcutis of the shoulder. [smv 
210 BCEC in cancer of the breast Fig. XV/:8. Electropositive potential in a 
carcinoma of the breast (29-year-old woman). (a) Craniocaudalmammogram. Radiating 
suuctures and pericumoura l arches (compare 
Fig. XVI: 24). Tissue around the tumour ap· 
pea.n to have a relatively low x-ray attenu· 
ation. The "thickened" skin ( ! 1 ) shows 
relatively high x-r.Jy auenuation . Microcalci ­
fications inside tumour (_,). (b) Electrode 
positioned before retraction. (c) Profile of po­
tential. The interior of the tumour was rela· 
tively electropos itive in relation to surround· 
ing tissues. Grounded reference electrode in 
the subcutis of the shoulder. ings of tissue profile of electric potential of broncho­
genic carcinom as sometimes showed a positive poten­
tial in rotation to surrounding lung tissue (Chapter 
VI). Inside these tumours, the potential was often 
lower than at the surface of the tumour. The potential 
profile then resembled an M. In other cancers of the 
same histologic type a deep negative potential could be 
observed , sometimes with a W-shaped potential pro­
file.
631928626-Biologically-Closed-Electric-Ci-Bjorn-Nordenstrom-pdf.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Two platinum electrodes were inserted into the lung 
of a dog at a distance between them of about 5 em. Alternatively, one platinum electrode was inserted in 
lung and the other electrode, a stainless steel guide 
wire, was inserted through an intravascular catheter 
into the pulmonary artery or aorta. The introduction 
of one electrode through a transvenous catheter into 
the pulmonary artery makes it possible to use the 
branching pulmonary arterial tree as the conducting 
pathway between the electrodes. When an electrode is 
in the aorta, bronchial arteries serve as the conducting 
pathway. The electrically induced changes in tissue around a 
small, 5 mm long, intrapulmonary electrode as anode, 
with the cathode positioned in a supplying vessel 3 em 
or more distant, were found to be almost spherical. The longer string electrodes gave a more elliptical 
shape to the changes in tissue. Experiments were performed in ten dogs, first as 
chronic studies over four weeks and then acutely in 
each animal. Current was first applied between two 
electrodes in one lung. Four weeks later, current was 
applied between electrodes in the contralateral lung. Each animal was then sacrificed immediately by intra­
venous injection of a large dose of sodium pentothal. The acute effects of an applied current between an 
intravascular electrode and a percutaneously inserted 
string electrode in pulmonary parenchyma may be 
seen in a representative example in Fig. XIV: 20. The 
anodic platinum string electrode was inserted percuta­
neously into the parenchyma of the left lower lobe and 
the cathodic catheter and its guide wire of stainless 
steel into the left pulmonary artery (Fig. XIV: 20 a 
and b). Before current was applied, an arteriogram of 
the dog's left lower lobe was made with 20 ml of 60% 
Urografin. This study was normal, as seen in lateral 
projection (Fig. XIV: 20c). An electric potential of 20 volts DC was then ap· 
plied between the catheter guide wire and the plati­
num electrode, which was made electropositive. The 
initial current of about 15 milliamperes increased 
spontaneous ly and gradually to about 55 milliamperes, 
at which level it remained. A total of 180 coulombs 
was given. Arteriography was then performed. Urografin (60 Fig.
The study aims to investigate the effects of direct current on the lung tissue, which can be used to understand the development of structural changes and their relation to the surrounding tissue.
What is the purpose of the study described in this chapter?
The study demonstrates the development of corona structures in the lung and breast tissue, which can be used to understand the underlying pathophysiology and develop new therapeutic approaches.
What is the significance of the findings in this study?
The observed changes in the lung tissue are attributed to the electric field-induced energy release, which leads to the development of "A" and "B" zones.
What is the mechanism of the observed changes in the lung tissue?
The electric potential in the breast cancer is negative in relation to the surrounding tissue, indicating the presence of a negative charge.
What is the significance of the electric potential in the breast cancer?
The goal is to use the concept of activated biologically closed electric circuits (BCEC) to explain the development of structural changes in tissue injury and its relation to the surrounding tissue.
What is the goal of the proposed mechanism in this study?