Clinical application of the Fricke-glucomannan gel dosimeter for high-dose-rate (192)Ir brachytherapy

A review study on application of gel dosimeters in low energy radiation dosimetry

INTRODUCTION

The accuracy of dose delivered to tumors and surrounding normal tissues is vital in either radiotherapy using low energy photons and radiological techniques as well as radiotherapy with mega voltage energies. This systematic review focuses on applications of gel dosimetry in low energy radiation contexts applied either through radiotherapy or interventional radiology.

METHODS

Literature was reviewed based on electronic databases: Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase, PubMed, Science Direct, Research Gate and IOP science. The search was conducted on relevant terms in the title and keywords. 82 articles related to our criteria has been extracted and included in the study.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrated that almost all types of gel dosimeters had an acceptable accuracy and high resolution in low energy radiation contexts with their own limitations and advantages.

CONCLUSION

Gel dosimeters compete well with other conventional dosimeters in terms of tissue equivalence and energy dependence; however, choosing the best gel dosimeter for use in low energy radiation dosimetry depends on their different limitation and advantages. There are some general features about each gel group which can help to select the suitable gel related to our work. For example, methacrylic acid based gel dosimeters show higher sensitivity compared to other types of gel dosimeters but have more toxicity and are dose rate dependent in the range of dose rates applied in low energy contexts. In addition, Fricke gel dosimeters exhibit less sensitivity while they are independent of dose rate and energy applied in low energy situations.