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Dosimetric characterization and output verification for conical brachytherapy surface applicators. Part I. Electronic brachytherapy source.

ABSTRACT: Historically, treatment of malignant surface lesions has been achieved with linear accelerator based electron beams or superficial x-ray beams. Recent developments in the field of brachytherapy now allow for the treatment of surface lesions with specialized conical applicators placed directly on the lesion. Applicators are available for use with high dose rate (HDR)(192)Ir sources, as well as electronic brachytherapy sources. Part I of this paper will discuss the applicators used with electronic brachytherapy sources; Part II will discuss those used with HDR (192)Ir sources. Although the use of these applicators has gained in popularity, the dosimetric characteristics including depth dose and surface dose distributions have not been independently verified. Additionally, there is no recognized method of output verification for quality assurance procedures with applicators like these. Existing dosimetry protocols available from the AAPM bookend the cross-over characteristics of a traditional brachytherapy source (as described by Task Group 43) being implemented as a low-energy superficial x-ray beam (as described by Task Group 61) as observed with the surface applicators of interest.This work aims to create a cohesive method of output verification that can be used to determine the dose at the treatment surface as part of a quality assurance/commissioning process for surface applicators used with HDR electronic brachytherapy sources (Part I) and(192)Ir sources (Part II). Air-kerma rate measurements for the electronic brachytherapy sources were completed with an Attix Free-Air Chamber, as well as several models of small-volume ionization chambers to obtain an air-kerma rate at the treatment surface for each applicator. Correction factors were calculated using MCNP5 and EGSnrc Monte Carlo codes in order to determine an applicator-specific absorbed dose to water at the treatment surface from the measured air-kerma rate. Additionally, relative dose measurements of the surface dose distributions and characteristic depth dose curves were completed in-phantom.Theoretical dose distributions and depth dose curves were generated for each applicator and agreed well with the measured values. A method of output verification was created that allows users to determine the applicator-specific dose to water at the treatment surface based on a measured air-kerma rate.The novel output verification methods described in this work will reduce uncertainties in dose delivery for treatments with these kinds of surface applicators, ultimately improving patient care.

SUBMITTER: Fulkerson RK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3987645 | biostudies-other | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Historically, treatment of malignant surface lesions has been achieved with linear accelerator based electron beams or superficial x-ray beams. Recent developments in the field of brachytherapy now allow for the treatment of surface lesions with specialized conical applicators placed directly on the lesion. Applicators are available for use with high dose rate (HDR)(192)Ir sources, as well as electronic brachytherapy sources. Part I of this paper discussed the applicators used with electronic brachytherapy sources. Part II will discuss those used with HDR (192)Ir sources. Although the use of these applicators has gained in popularity, the dosimetric characteristics have not been independently verified. Additionally, there is no recognized method of output verification for quality assurance procedures with applicators like these.This work aims to create a cohesive method of output verification that can be used to determine the dose at the treatment surface as part of a quality assurance/commissioning process for surface applicators used with HDR electronic brachytherapy sources (Part I) and(192)Ir sources (Part II). Air-kerma rate measurements for the (192)Ir sources were completed with several models of small-volume ionization chambers to obtain an air-kerma rate at the treatment surface for each applicator. Correction factors were calculated using MCNP5 and EGSnrc Monte Carlo codes in order to determine an applicator-specific absorbed dose to water at the treatment surface from the measured air-kerma rate. Additionally, relative dose measurements of the surface dose distributions and characteristic depth dose curves were completed in-phantom.Theoretical dose distributions and depth dose curves were generated for each applicator and agreed well with the measured values. A method of output verification was created that allows users to determine the applicator-specific dose to water at the treatment surface based on a measured air-kerma rate.The novel output verification methods described in this work will reduce uncertainties in dose delivery for treatments with these kinds of surface applicators, ultimately improving patient care.

Project description:CivaTech Oncology Inc. (Durham, NC) has developed a novel low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy source called the CivaSheet.TM The source is a planar array of discrete elements ("CivaDots") which are directional in nature. The CivaDot geometry and design are considerably different than conventional LDR cylindrically symmetric sources. Thus, a thorough investigation is required to ascertain the dosimetric characteristics of the source. This work investigates the repeatability and reproducibility of a primary source strength standard for the CivaDot and characterizes the CivaDot dose distribution by performing in-phantom measurements and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Existing dosimetric formalisms were adapted to accommodate a directional source, and other distinguishing characteristics including the presence of gold shield x-ray fluorescence were addressed in this investigation. Primary air-kerma strength (SK ) measurements of the CivaDots were performed using two free-air chambers namely, the Variable-Aperture Free-Air Chamber (VAFAC) at the University of Wisconsin Medical Radiation Research Center (UWMRRC) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Wide-Angle Free-Air Chamber (WAFAC). An intercomparison of the two free-air chamber measurements was performed along with a comparison of the different assumed CivaDot energy spectra and associated correction factors. Dose distribution measurements of the source were performed in a custom polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) phantom using GafchromicTM EBT3 film and thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) microcubes. Monte Carlo simulations of the source and the measurement setup were performed using MCNP6 radiation transport code. The CivaDot SK was determined using the two free-air chambers for eight sources with an agreement of better than 1.1% for all sources. The NIST measured CivaDot energy spectrum intensity peaks were within 1.8% of the MC-predicted spectrum intensity peaks. The difference in the net source-specific correction factor determined for the CivaDot free-air chamber measurements for the NIST WAFAC and UW VAFAC was 0.7%. The dose-rate constant analog was determined to be 0.555 cGy h-1 U-1 . The average difference observed in the estimated CivaDot dose-rate constant analog using measurements and MCNP6-predicted value (0.558 cGy h-1 U-1 ) was 0.6% ± 2.3% for eight CivaDot sources using EBT3 film, and -2.6% ± 1.7% using TLD microcube measurements. The CivaDot two-dimensional dose-to-water distribution measured in phantom was compared to the corresponding MC predictions at six depths. The observed difference using a pixel-by-pixel subtraction map of the measured and the predicted dose-to-water distribution was generally within 2-3%, with maximum differences up to 5% of the dose prescribed at the depth of 1 cm. Primary SK measurements of the CivaDot demonstrated good repeatability and reproducibility of the free-air chamber measurements. Measurements of the CivaDot dose distribution using the EBT3 film stack phantom and its subsequent comparison to Monte Carlo-predicted dose distributions were encouraging, given the overall uncertainties. This work will aid in the eventual realization of a clinically viable dosimetric framework for the CivaSheet based on the CivaDot dose distribution.

Project description:BackgroundElectronic brachytherapy (eBT) is considered a safe treatment with good outcomes. However, eBT lacks standardized and independent dose verification, which could impede future use.PurposeTo validate the 3D dose-to-water distribution of an electronic brachytherapy (eBT) source using a small-volume plastic scintillation detector (PSD).MethodsThe relative dose distribution of a Papillon 50 (P50) (Ariane Medical Systems, UK) eBT source was measured in water with a PSD consisting of a cylindrical scintillating BCF-12 fiber (length: 0.5 mm, Ø: 1 mm) coupled to a photodetector via an optical fiber. The measurements were performed with the PSD mounted on a motorized stage in a water phantom (MP3) (PTW, Germany). This allowed the sensitive volume of the PSD to be moved to predetermined positions relative to the P50 applicator, which pointed vertically downward while just breaching the water surface. The percentage depth-dose (PDD) was measured from 0 to 50 mm source-to-detector distance (SDD) in 1-3 mm steps. Dose profiles were measured along two perpendicular axes at five different SDDs with step sizes down to 0.5 mm. Characterization of the PSD consisted of determining the energy correction through Monte Carlo (MC) simulation and by measuring the stability and dose rate linearity using a well-type ionization chamber as a reference. The measured PDD and profiles were validated with corresponding MC simulations.ResultsThe measured and simulated PDD curves agreed within 2% (except at 0 mm and 43 mm depth) after the PSD measurements were corrected for energy dependency. The absorbed dose decreased by a factor of 2 at 7 mm depth and by a factor of 10 at 26 mm depth. The measured dose profiles showed dose gradients at the profile edges of more than 50%/mm at 5 mm depth and 15%/mm at 50 mm depth. The measured profile widths increased 0.66 mm per 1 mm depth, while the simulated profile widths increased 0.74 mm per 1 mm depth. An azimuthal dependency of > 10% was observed in the dose at 10 mm distance from the beam center. The total uncertainty of the measured relative dose is < 2.5% with a positional uncertainty of 0.4 mm. The measurements for a full 3D dose characterization (PDD and profiles) can be carried out within 8 h, the limiting factor being cooling of the P50.ConclusionThe PSD and MP3 water phantoms provided a method to independently verify the relative 3D dose distribution in water of an eBT source.

Project description:A new design of 125I (Model IR-Seed2) brachytherapy source has been manufactured recently at the Applied Radiation Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute in Iran. The source consists of six resin beads (0.5 mm diameter) that are sealed in a cylindrical titanium capsule of 0.7 mm internal and 0.8 mm external diameters. This work aims to evaluate the dosimetric parameters of the newly designed 125I source using experimental measurements and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Dosimetric characteristics (dose rate constant, radial dose function, and 2D and 1D anisotropy functions) of the IR-Seed2 were determined using experimental measurements and MC simulations following the recommendations by the Task Group 43 (TG-43U1) report of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). MC simulations were performed using the MCNP5 code in water and Plexiglas, and experimental measurements were carried out using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-GR207A) in Plexiglas phantoms. The measured dose to water in Plexiglas data were used for verification of the accuracy of the source and phantom geometry in the Monte Carlo simulations. The final MC simulated data to water in water were recommended for clinical applications. The MC calculated dose rate constant (?) of the IR-Seed2 125I seed in water was found to be 0.992 ± 0.025 cGy h-1U-1. Additionally, its radial dose function by line and point source approximations, gL(r) and gp(r), calculated for distances from 0.1 cm to 7 cm. The values of gL(r) at radial distances from 0.5 cm to 5 cm were measured in a Plexiglas phantom to be between 1.212 and 0.413. The calculated and measured of values for 2D anisotropy function, F(r, ?), were obtained for the radial distances ranging from 1.5 cm to 5 cm and angular range of 0°-90° in a Plexiglas phantom. Also, the 2D anisotropy function was calculated in water for the clinical application. The results of these investigations show that the uncertainty of the experimental data is within ± 7% between the measured and simulated data in Plexiglas. Based on these results, the MC-simulated dosimetric parameters of the new 125I source model in water are presented for its clinical applications in brachytherapy treatments.

Project description:A novel (169)Yb low dose rate permanent implant brachytherapy source, the GammaClip™, was developed by Source Production & Equipment Co. (New Orleans, LA) which is designed similar to a surgical staple while delivering therapeutic radiation. In this report, the brachytherapy source was characterized in terms of "Dose calculation for photon-emitting brachytherapy sources with average energy higher than 50 keV: Report of the AAPM and ESTRO" by Perez-Calatayud et al. [Med. Phys. 39, 2904-2929 (2012)] using the updated AAPM Task Group Report No. 43 formalism.Monte Carlo calculations were performed using Monte Carlo N-Particle 5, version 1.6 in water and air, the in-air photon spectrum filtered to remove photon energies below 10 keV in accordance with TG-43U1 recommendations and previously reviewed (169)Yb energy cutoff levels [D. C. Medich, M. A. Tries, and J. M. Munro, "Monte Carlo characterization of an Ytterbium-169 high dose rate brachytherapy source with analysis of statistical uncertainty," Med. Phys. 33, 163-172 (2006)]. TG-43U1 dosimetric data, including SK, Ḋ(r,θ), Λ, gL(r), F(r, θ), φan(r), and φan were calculated along with their statistical uncertainties. Since the source is not axially symmetric, an additional set of calculations were performed to assess the resulting axial anisotropy.The brachytherapy source's dose rate constant was calculated to be (1.22±0.03) cGy h(-1) U(-1). The uncertainty in the dose to water calculations, Ḋ(r,θ), was determined to be 2.5%, dominated by the uncertainties in the cross sections. The anisotropy constant, φan, was calculated to be 0.960±0.011 and was obtained by integrating the anisotropy factor between 1 and 10 cm using a weighting factor proportional to r(-2). The radial dose function was calculated at distances between 0.5 and 12 cm, with a maximum value of 1.20 at 5.15±0.03 cm. Radial dose values were fit to a fifth order polynomial and dual exponential regression. Since the source is not axially symmetric, angular Monte Carlo calculations were performed at 1 cm which determined that the maximum azimuthal anisotropy was less than 8%.With a higher photon energy, shorter half-life and higher initial dose rate 169Yb is an interesting alternative to 125I for the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Project description:BackgroundTo assess the intra-fractional dosimetric variations of image-guided brachytherapy of cervical cancer.MethodsA total of 38 fractions (9 patients) undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer underwent a CT scanning for treatment planning (planning CT) and a Cone-beam CT (CBCT) scanning immediately prior to delivery (pre-delivery CBCT). The variations of volumes as well as the dosimetric impact from treatment planning to delivery (intra-application) were evaluated. The dose volume histogram parameters including volume, D90 of high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) and D2cc of organs at risk (OARs) were recorded.ResultsThe relative differences (mean ± 1SD) of the volume and D90 HRCTV across the two scans were - 2.0 ± 3.3% and - 1.2 ± 4.5%, respectively. The variations of D2cc for bladder, rectum, sigmoid and small intestine are - 0.6 ± 17.1%, 9.3 ± 14.6%, 7.2% ± 20.5% and 1.5 ± 12.6%, respectively. Most of them are statistically nonsignificant except the D2cc for rectum, which showed a significant increase (P = 0.001). Using 5% and 10% uncertainty of physical dose for HRCTV at a 6 Gy × 5 high-dose-rate schedule, the possibility of total equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) lower than 85 Gy is close to 0% and 3%, respectively. Performing similar simulation at 15% and 20% uncertainty of a 4 Gy physical dose for OARs, the possibility of total EQD2 dose exceeding 75 Gy is about 70%. Less than 1% of the total EQD2 of OARs would exceed 80 Gy.ConclusionsAverage intra-fractional dosimetric variation of HRCTV was small in an interval of less than 1 h, and the possibility of total EQD2 exceeding 85 Gy is higher than 97%. The intra-fractional dosimetric variations of OARs might result in an overdose for OARs in a single fraction or the whole treatment. It is necessary to detect unfavorable anatomical changes by re-imaging and take interventions to minimize applied doses and reduce the risk of complications.

Project description:MammoSite balloon brachytherapy is a relatively new technique for partial breast irradiation. The present paper focuses on the treatment planning, dosimetry, and quality assurance aspects of that treatment, based on the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0413 randomized prospective trial (RTOG 0413) protocol. We investigate the usefulness of evaluating implants for treatment appropriateness according to the full set of RTOG criteria as compared with the manufacturer's guidelines. We describe our methods to improve MammoSite balloon implants that would otherwise not comply with the protocol. The initially acquired computed tomography (CT) images are evaluated for tissue conformance, balloon surface-to-skin distance, and balloon symmetry. If the implant fails to meet the foregoing criteria, corrective action such as delay in the CT scan, balloon manipulation, or fluid volume adjustment is taken, and the patient is re-scanned. If the corrective action appears to be successful, three dimensional treatment planning and dose-volume histogram analysis is performed to evaluate the geometric and dosimetric parameters with regard to the RTOG 0413 protocol. The evaluated parameters include, volume ratio of the lumpectomy cavity to the ipsilateral breast, target volume coverage, tissue-balloon conformance, balloon symmetry, minimal balloon surface-to-skin distance, maximum skin dose, and normal breast tissue dose-volume parameters V150 and V200. Among our implants, 21.7% did not initially meet the RTOG 0413 acceptance criteria. Asymmetry and poor conformance values reduce the target volume coverage, and so an implant with moderate conformance and asymmetry can be within the manufacturer's guidelines, but still not meet the RTOG criteria. Our intervention corrected all but one of the implants that failed to meet the criteria. Manipulating the cavity and adjusting the balloon volume may salvage an implant and meet the strict geometric and dosimetric criteria imposed by the RTOG 0413 protocol.

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Dosimetric characterization and output verification for conical brachytherapy surface applicators. Part I. Electronic brachytherapy source.

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