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Georgi PD, Jørgensen EB, Heidotting M, Tanderup K, Kertzscher G, Johansen JG. A simple calibration routine for small inorganic scintillation detectors for in vivo dosimetry during brachytherapy. Brachytherapy 2024:S1538-4721(24)00070-9. [PMID: 38853063 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2024.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vivo dosimetry (IVD) is rarely performed in brachytherapy (BT), allowing potential dose misadministration to go unnoticed. This study presents a clinical routine-calibration method of detectors for IVD in high (HDR) and pulsed dose rate (PDR) Ir-192 BT. PURPOSE To evaluate the dosimetric precision and feasibility of an in-clinic calibration routine of detectors for IVD in afterloading BT. METHODS Calibrations were performed in a PMMA phantom with two needles inserted 20 mm apart. The source was loaded in one of the needles at 15 dwells for 10 s. The detector was placed in the other needle, and its signal was recorded. The mean signal at each dwell position was fitted to the expected dose rate with the calibration factor and the detector's longitudinal position being free parameters. The method was tested with an inorganic scintillation detector using one Ir-192 FlexiSource HDR and two Ir-192 GammaMedPlus PDR sources and followed by validation measurements in water. RESULTS The standard measurement uncertainty (k = 1) of the calibration factor in absolute terms (Gy/s) was 3.2/3.4% for the HDR/PDR source. The uncertainty was dominated by source strength uncertainty, and the precision of the method was <1%. The mean ± 1SD of the difference in measured and expected dose rate during validation was 1.5 ± 4.7% (HDR) and 0.0 ± 4.1% (PDR) with a positional uncertainty in the setup of 0.33/0.23 mm (HDR/PDR) (k = 1). CONCLUSION A precise and feasible in-clinic calibration method for IVD and source strength consistency tests in BT was presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Georgi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Erik B Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Kari Tanderup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Jacob G Johansen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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2
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Bui TNH, Large M, Poder J, Bucci J, Bianco E, Giampaolo RA, Rivetti A, Da Rocha Rolo M, Pastuovic Z, Corradino T, Pancheri L, Petasecca M. Preliminary Characterization of an Active CMOS Pad Detector for Tracking and Dosimetry in HDR Brachytherapy. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:692. [PMID: 38276383 PMCID: PMC10818778 DOI: 10.3390/s24020692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
We assessed the accuracy of a prototype radiation detector with a built in CMOS amplifier for use in dosimetry for high dose rate brachytherapy. The detectors were fabricated on two substrates of epitaxial high resistivity silicon. The radiation detection performance of prototypes has been tested by ion beam induced charge (IBIC) microscopy using a 5.5 MeV alpha particle microbeam. We also carried out the HDR Ir-192 radiation source tracking at different depths and angular dose dependence in a water equivalent phantom. The detectors show sensitivities spanning from (5.8 ± 0.021) × 10-8 to (3.6 ± 0.14) × 10-8 nC Gy-1 mCi-1 mm-2. The depth variation of the dose is within 5% with that calculated by TG-43. Higher discrepancies are recorded for 2 mm and 7 mm depths due to the scattering of secondary particles and the perturbation of the radiation field induced in the ceramic/golden package. Dwell positions and dwell time are reconstructed within ±1 mm and 20 ms, respectively. The prototype detectors provide an unprecedented sensitivity thanks to its monolithic amplification stage. Future investigation of this technology will include the optimisation of the packaging technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Ngoc Hang Bui
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (T.N.H.B.); (M.L.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Matthew Large
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (T.N.H.B.); (M.L.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
| | - Joel Poder
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (T.N.H.B.); (M.L.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
- St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Joseph Bucci
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (T.N.H.B.); (M.L.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
- St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
| | - Edoardo Bianco
- Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Polytechnic University of Turin, 10129 Turin, Italy; (E.B.); (R.A.G.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare—Section of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy; (A.R.); (M.D.R.R.)
| | - Raffaele Aaron Giampaolo
- Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Polytechnic University of Turin, 10129 Turin, Italy; (E.B.); (R.A.G.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare—Section of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy; (A.R.); (M.D.R.R.)
| | - Angelo Rivetti
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare—Section of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy; (A.R.); (M.D.R.R.)
| | - Manuel Da Rocha Rolo
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare—Section of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy; (A.R.); (M.D.R.R.)
| | - Zeljko Pastuovic
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia;
| | - Thomas Corradino
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy (L.P.)
- Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Lucio Pancheri
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy (L.P.)
- Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Marco Petasecca
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (T.N.H.B.); (M.L.); (J.P.); (J.B.)
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3
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Tho D, Lavallée M, Beaulieu L. A scintillation dosimeter with real-time positional tracking information for in vivo dosimetry error detection in HDR brachytherapy. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2023; 24:e14150. [PMID: 37731203 PMCID: PMC10691625 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.14150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the performance of an electromagnetic (EM)-tracked scintillation dosimeter in detecting source positional errors of IVD in HDR brachytherapy treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two different scintillator dosimeter prototypes were coupled to 5 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) EM sensors read by an Aurora V3 system. The scintillators used were a 0.3 × 0.4 × 0.4 mm3 ZnSe:O and a BCF-60 plastic scintillator of 0.5 mm diameter and 2.0 mm in length (Saint-Gobain Crystals). The sensors were placed at the dosimeter's tip at 20.0 mm from the scintillator. The EM sampling rate was 40/s while the scintillator signal was sampled at 100 000/s using two photomultiplier tubes from Hamamatsu (series H10722) connected to a data acquisition board. A high-pass filter and a low-pass filter were used to separate the light signal into two different channels. All measurements were performed with an afterloader unit (Flexitron-Elekta AB, Sweden) in full-scattered (TG43) conditions. EM tracking was further used to provide distance/angle-dependent energy correction for the ZnSe:O inorganic scintillator. For the error detection part, lateral shifts of 0.5 to 3 mm were induced by moving the source away from its planned position. Indexer length (longitudinal) errors between 0.5 to 10 mm were also introduced. The measured dose rate difference was converted to a shift distance, with and without using the positional information from the EM sensor. RESULTS The inorganic scintillator had both a signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) and signal-to-background-ratio (SBR) close to 70 times higher than those of the plastic scintillator. The mean absolute difference from the dose measurement to the dose calculated with TG-43U1 was 1.5% ±0.7%. The mean absolute error for BCF-60 detector was 1.7%± 1.2 % $\pm 1.2\%$ when compared to TG-43 calculations formalism. With the inorganic scintillator and EM tracking, a maximum area under the curve (AUC) gain of 24.0% was obtained for a 0.5-mm lateral shift when using the EMT data with the ZnSe:O. Lower AUC gains were obtained for a 3-mm lateral shifts with both scintillators. For the plastic scintillator, the highest gain from using EM tracking information occurred for a 0.5-mm lateral shift at 20 mm from the source. The maximal gain (17.4%) for longitudinal errors was found at the smallest shifts (0.5 mm). CONCLUSIONS This work demonstrates that integrating EM tracking to in vivo scintillation dosimeters enables the detection of smaller shifts, by decreasing the dosimeter positioning uncertainty. It also serves to perform position-dependent energy correction for the inorganic scintillator,providing better SNR and SBR, allowing detection of errors at greater distances from the source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daline Tho
- Department of Radiation OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Marie‐Claude Lavallée
- Département de physique, de génie physique et d'optique, et Centre de recherche sur le cancerUniversité LavalQuébecQuébecCanada
- Service de physique médicale et de radioprotection, Centre intégré de cancérologieCHU de Québec‐Université Laval et Centre de recherche du CHU de QuébecQuébecCanada
| | - Luc Beaulieu
- Département de physique, de génie physique et d'optique, et Centre de recherche sur le cancerUniversité LavalQuébecQuébecCanada
- Service de physique médicale et de radioprotection, Centre intégré de cancérologieCHU de Québec‐Université Laval et Centre de recherche du CHU de QuébecQuébecCanada
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Gonod M, Suarez MA, Avila CC, Karakhanyan V, Eustache C, Laskri S, Crouzilles J, Vinchant JF, Aubignac L, Grosjean T. Six-probe scintillator dosimeter for treatment verification in HDR-brachytherapy. Med Phys 2023; 50:7192-7202. [PMID: 37738612 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In vivo dosimetry (IVD) is gaining interest for treatment delivery verification in HDR-brachytherapy. Time resolved methods, including source tracking, have the ability both to detect treatment errors in real time and to minimize experimental uncertainties. Multiprobe IVD architectures holds promise for simultaneous dose determinations at the targeted tumor and surrounding healthy tissues while enhancing measurement accuracy. However, most of the multiprobe dosimeters developed so far either suffer from compactness issues or rely on complex data post-treatment. PURPOSE We introduce a novel concept of a compact multiprobe scintillator detector and demonstrate its applicability in HDR-brachytherapy. Our fabricated seven-fiber probing system is sufficiently narrow to be inserted in a brachytherapy needle or in a catheter. METHODS Our multiprobe detection system results from the parallel implementation of six miniaturized inorganic Gd2 O2 S:Tb scintillator detectors at the end of a bundle of seven fibers, one fiber is kept bare to assess the stem effect. The resulting system, which is narrower than 320 microns, is tested with a MicroSelectron 9.14 Ci Ir-192 HDR afterloader, in a water phantom. The detection signals from all six probes are simultaneously read with a sCMOS camera (at a rate of 0.06 s). The camera is coupled to a chromatic filter to cancel Cerenkov signal induced within the fibers upon exposure. By implementing an aperiodic array of six scintillating cells along the bundle axis, we first determine the range of inter-probe spacings leading to optimal source tracking accuracy (first tracking method). Then, three different source tracking algorithms involving all the scintillating probes are tested and compared. In each of these four methods, dwell positions are assessed from dose measurements and compared to the treatment plan. Dwell time is also determined and compared to the treatment plan. RESULTS The optimum inter-probe spacing for an accurate source tracking ranges from 15 to 35 mm. The optimum detection algorithm consists of adding the readout signals from all detector probes. In that case, the error to the planned dwell positions is of 0.01 ± 0.14 mm and 0.02 ± 0.29 mm at spacings between the source and detector axes of 5.5 and 40 mm, respectively. Using this approach, the average deviations to the expected dwell time are of- 0.006 ± 0.009 $-0.006\,\pm \,0.009$ s and- 0.008 ± 0.058 $-0.008\, \pm 0.058$ s, at spacings between source and probe axes of 5.5 and 20 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our six-probe Gd2 O2 S:Tb dosimeter coupled to a sCMOS camera can perform time-resolved treatment verification in HDR brachytherapy. This detection system of high spatial and temporal resolutions (0.25 mm and 0.06 s, respectively) provides a precise information on the treatment delivery via a dwell time and position verification of unmatched accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Gonod
- Medical Physics Department, Centre Georges François Leclerc (CGFL), Dijon, France
| | | | | | - Vage Karakhanyan
- FEMTO-ST Institute, CNRS, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Clément Eustache
- FEMTO-ST Institute, CNRS, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Samir Laskri
- SEDI-ATI Fibres Optiques, Évry-Courcouronnes, France
| | | | | | - Léone Aubignac
- Medical Physics Department, Centre Georges François Leclerc (CGFL), Dijon, France
| | - Thierry Grosjean
- FEMTO-ST Institute, CNRS, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
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5
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Hou B, Yi L, Hu D, Luo Z, Gao D, Li C, Xing B, Wang JW, Lee CN, Zhang R, Sheng Z, Zhou B, Liu X. A swallowable X-ray dosimeter for the real-time monitoring of radiotherapy. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:1242-1251. [PMID: 37055542 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01024-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring X-ray radiation in the gastrointestinal tract can enhance the precision of radiotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Here we report the design and performance, in the gastrointestinal tract of rabbits, of a swallowable X-ray dosimeter for the simultaneous real-time monitoring of absolute absorbed radiation dose and of changes in pH and temperature. The dosimeter consists of a biocompatible optoelectronic capsule containing an optical fibre, lanthanide-doped persistent nanoscintillators, a pH-sensitive polyaniline film and a miniaturized system for the wireless readout of luminescence. The persistent luminescence of the nanoscintillators after irradiation can be used to continuously monitor pH without the need for external excitation. By using a neural-network-based regression model, we estimated the radiation dose from radioluminescence and afterglow intensity and temperature, and show that the dosimeter was approximately five times more accurate than standard methods for dose determination. Swallowable dosimeters may help to improve radiotherapy and to understand how radiotherapy affects tumour pH and temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Hou
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Luying Yi
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dehong Hu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zichao Luo
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Duyang Gao
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Li
- Department of Spaceborne Microwave Remote Sensing System, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bowen Xing
- Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiong-Wei Wang
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chuen Neng Lee
- Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zonghai Sheng
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiaogang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Nanomedicine Translational Research Programme, Centre for NanoMedicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science,Technology and Research, Singapore, Singapore.
- Center for Functional Materials, National University of Singapore Suzhou Research Institute, Suzhou, China.
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Petoukhova A, Snijder R, Vissers T, Ceha H, Struikmans H. In vivodosimetry in cancer patients undergoing intraoperative radiation therapy. Phys Med Biol 2023; 68:18TR01. [PMID: 37607566 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/acf2e4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
In vivodosimetry (IVD) is an important tool in external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to detect major errors by assessing differences between expected and delivered dose and to record the received dose by individual patients. Also, in intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), IVD is highly relevant to register the delivered dose. This is especially relevant in low-risk breast cancer patients since a high dose of IORT is delivered in a single fraction. In contrast to EBRT, online treatment planning based on intraoperative imaging is only under development for IORT. Up to date, two commercial treatment planning systems proposed intraoperative ultrasound or in-room cone-beam CT for real-time IORT planning. This makes IVD even more important because of the possibility for real-time treatment adaptation. Here, we summarize recent developments and applications of IVD methods for IORT in clinical practice, highlighting important contributions and identifying specific challenges such as a treatment planning system for IORT. HDR brachytherapy as a delivery technique was not considered. We add IVD for ultrahigh dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy that promises to improve the treatment efficacy, when compared to conventional radiotherapy by limiting the rate of toxicity while maintaining similar tumour control probabilities. To date, FLASH IORT is not yet in clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Petoukhova
- Haaglanden Medical Centre , Department of Medical Physics, Leidschendam, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Snijder
- Haaglanden Medical Centre , Department of Medical Physics, Leidschendam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Vissers
- Haaglanden Medical Centre , Medical Library, Leidschendam, The Netherlands
| | - Heleen Ceha
- Haaglanden Medical Centre , Department of Radiation Oncology, Leidschendam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Struikmans
- Haaglanden Medical Centre , Department of Radiation Oncology, Leidschendam, The Netherlands
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Dürrbeck C, Schuster S, Sauer BC, Abu-Hossin N, Strnad V, Fietkau R, Bert C. Localization of reference points in electromagnetic tracking data and their application for treatment error detection in interstitial breast brachytherapy. Med Phys 2023; 50:5772-5783. [PMID: 37458615 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electromagnetic tracking (EMT) is a promising technology that holds great potential to advance patient-specific pre-treatment verification in interstitial brachytherapy (iBT). It allows easy determination of the implant geometry without line-of-sight restrictions and without dose exposure to the patient. What it cannot provide, however, is a link to anatomical landmarks, such as the exit points of catheters or needles on the skin surface. These landmarks are required for the registration of EMT data with other imaging modalities and for the detection of treatment errors such as incorrect indexer lengths, and catheter or needle shifts. PURPOSE To develop an easily applicable method to detect reference points in the positional data of the trajectory of an EMT sensor, specifically the exit points of catheters in breast iBT, and to apply the approach to pre-treatment error detection. METHODS Small metal objects were attached to catheter fixation buttons that rest against the breast surface to intentionally induce a local, spatially limited perturbation of the magnetic field on which the working principle of EMT relies. This perturbation can be sensed by the EMT sensor as it passes by, allowing it to localize the metal object and thus the catheter exit point. For the proof-of-concept, different small metal objects (magnets, washers, and bushes) and EMT sensor drive speeds were used to find the optimal parameters. The approach was then applied to treatment error detection and validated in-vitro on a phantom. Lastly, the in-vivo feasibility of the approach was tested on a patient cohort of four patients to assess the impact on the clinical workflow. RESULTS All investigated metal objects were able to measurably perturb the magnetic field, which resulted in missing sensor readings, that is two data gaps, one for the sensor moving towards the tip end and one when retracting from there. The size of the resulting data gaps varied depending on the choice of gap points used for calculation of the gap size; it was found that the start points of the gaps in both directions showed the smallest variability. The median size of data gaps was ⩽8 mm for all tested materials and sensor drive speeds. The variability of the determined object position was ⩽0.5 mm at a speed of 1.0 cm/s and ⩽0.7 mm at 2.5 cm/s, with an increase up to 2.3 mm at 5.0 cm/s. The in-vitro validation of the error detection yielded a 100% detection rate for catheter shifts of ≥2.2 mm. All simulated wrong indexer lengths were correctly identified. The in-vivo feasibility assessment showed that the metal objects did not interfere with the routine clinical workflow. CONCLUSIONS The developed approach was able to successfully detect reference points in EMT data, which can be used for registration to other imaging modalities, but also for treatment error detection. It can thus advance the automation of patient-specific, pre-treatment quality assurance in iBT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Dürrbeck
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sabrina Schuster
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Birte Christina Sauer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Nadin Abu-Hossin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vratislav Strnad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Bert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN (CCC ER-EMN), Erlangen, Germany
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8
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Sung S, Lee M, Choi HJ, Park H, Cheon BW, Min CH, Yeom YS, Kim H, You SH, Choi HJ. Feasibility of internal-source tracking with C-arm CT/SPECT imaging with limited-angle projection data for online in vivo dose verification in brachytherapy: A Monte Carlo simulation study. Brachytherapy 2023; 22:673-685. [PMID: 37301703 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The current protocol for use of the image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) procedure entails transport of a patient between the treatment room and the 3-D tomographic imaging room after implantation of the applicators in the body, which movement can cause position displacement of the applicator. Moreover, it is not possible to track 3-D radioactive source movement inside the body, even though there can be significant inter- and intra-fractional patient-setup changes. In this paper, therefore, we propose an online single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging technique with a combined C-arm fluoroscopy X-ray system and attachable parallel-hole collimator for internal radioactive source tracking of every source position in the applicator. METHODS AND MATERIALS In the present study, using Geant4 Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, the feasibility of high-energy gamma detection with a flat-panel detector for X-ray imaging was assessed. Further, a parallel-hole collimator geometry was designed based on an evaluation of projection image quality for a 192Ir point source, and 3-D limited-angle SPECT-image-based source-tracking performances were evaluated for various source intensities and positions. RESULTS The detector module attached to the collimator could discriminate the 192Ir point source with about 3.4% detection efficiency when including the total counts in the entire deposited energy region. As the result of collimator optimization, hole size, thickness, and length were determined to be 0.5, 0.2, and 45 mm, respectively. Accordingly, the source intensities and positions also were successfully tracked with the 3-D SPECT imaging system when the C-arm was rotated within 110° in 2 seconds. CONCLUSIONS We expect that this system can be effectively implemented for online IGABT and in vivo patient dose verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saerom Sung
- Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Minjae Lee
- Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Joo Choi
- Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyojun Park
- Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Wi Cheon
- Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chul Hee Min
- Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Soo Yeom
- Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyemi Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sei Hwan You
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Joon Choi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.
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9
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Jonušas J, Patasius A, Trakymas M, Venius J, Janulionis E, Smailyte G, Kincius M. Efficacy of focal high-dose-rate brachytherapy in the treatment of patients diagnosed with low or favourable: intermediate-risk prostate cancer-a protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070020. [PMID: 37197816 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer (PCa) is men's second most predominant cancer worldwide. Because the prostate-specific antigen test is used in diagnostics, PCa is more often diagnosed in the early stages, making radical treatment of the disease possible. However, it is estimated that over a million men worldwide suffer from radical treatment-related complications. Thus, focal treatment has been proposed as a solution, which aims to destroy the predominant lesson that determines the progression of the disease. The main objective of our study is to compare the quality of life and efficacy of patients diagnosed with PCa before and after the treatment with focal high-dose-rate brachytherapy and to compare results with focal low-dose-rate brachytherapy and active surveillance. METHODS AND ANALYSIS 150 patients diagnosed with low-risk or favourable intermediate-risk PCa who meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled in the study. Patients are going to be randomly assigned to the study groups: focal high-dose-rate brachytherapy (group 1), focal low-dose-rate brachytherapy (group 2) and active surveillance (group 3). The study's primary outcomes are quality of life after the procedure and time without biochemical disease recurrence. The secondary outcomes are early and late genitourinary and gastrointestinal reactions after the focal high-dose and low-dose-rate brachytherapies and evaluation of the importance and significance of in vivo dosimetry used for high-dose-rate brachytherapy. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Bioethics committee approval was obtained before this study. The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Vilnius regional bioethics committee; approval ID 2022/6-1438-911.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justinas Jonušas
- Clinic of Hematology and Oncology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Laboratory of Cancer Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ausvydas Patasius
- Laboratory of Cancer Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Institute of Health Sciences, Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Mantas Trakymas
- Department of Radiology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jonas Venius
- Medical Physics Department, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Laboratory of Biomedical Physics, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | - Giedre Smailyte
- Laboratory of Cancer Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
- Institute of Health Sciences, Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Marius Kincius
- Department of Oncourology, National Cancer Institute, Vilnius, Lithuania
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10
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Oliver-Cañamás L, Vijande J, Candela-Juan C, Gimeno-Olmos J, Pujades-Claumarchirant MC, Rovira-Escutia JJ, Ballester F, Perez-Calatayud J. A User-Friendly System for Mailed Dosimetric Audits of 192Ir or 60Co HDR Brachytherapy Sources. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092484. [PMID: 37173950 PMCID: PMC10177083 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The main goal of this work is to design and characterize a user-friendly methodology to perform mailed dosimetric audits in high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for systems using either Iridium-192 (192Ir) or Cobalt-60 (60Co) sources. METHODS A solid phantom was designed and manufactured with four catheters and a central slot to place one dosimeter. Irradiations with an Elekta MicroSelectron V2 for 192Ir, and with a BEBIG Multisource for 60Co were performed for its characterization. For the dose measurements, nanoDots, a type of optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs), were characterized. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed to evaluate the scatter conditions of the irradiation set-up and to study differences in the photon spectra of different 192Ir sources (Microselectron V2, Flexisource, BEBIG Ir2.A85-2 and Varisource VS2000) reaching the dosimeter in the irradiation set-up. RESULTS MC simulations indicate that the surface material on which the phantom is supported during the irradiations does not affect the absorbed dose in the nanoDot. Generally, differences below 5% were found in the photon spectra reaching the detector when comparing the Microselectron V2, the Flexisource and the BEBIG models. However, differences up to 20% are observed between the V2 and the Varisource VS2000 models. The calibration coefficients and the uncertainty in the dose measurement were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS The system described here is able to perform dosimetric audits in HDR brachytherapy for systems using either 192Ir or 60Co sources. No significant differences are observed between the photon spectra reaching the detector for the MicroSelectron V2, the Flexisource and the BEBIG 192Ir sources. For the Varisource VS2000, a higher uncertainty is considered in the dose measurement to allow for the nanoDot response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Oliver-Cañamás
- Servei de Radiofísica i Protecció Radiològica, Consorci Hospitalari Provincial de Castelló (CHPC), 12002 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Javier Vijande
- Departamento de Física Atómica, Molecular y Nuclear, Universitat de Valencia (UV), 46100 Burjassot, Spain
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Radiofísica e Instrumentación Nuclear en Medicina (IRIMED), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS-La Fe), Universitat de Valencia (UV), 46026 València, Spain
- Instituto de Física Corpuscular, Instituto de Física Corpuscular-IFIC (UV-CSIC), 46100 Burjassot, Spain
| | | | - Jose Gimeno-Olmos
- Unitat de Radiofísica, Servei d'Oncologia Radioteràpica, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 València, Spain
| | | | - Juan J Rovira-Escutia
- Servei de Radiofísica i Protecció Radiològica, Consorci Hospital General Universitari de València, 46014 València, Spain
| | - Facundo Ballester
- Departamento de Física Atómica, Molecular y Nuclear, Universitat de Valencia (UV), 46100 Burjassot, Spain
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Radiofísica e Instrumentación Nuclear en Medicina (IRIMED), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS-La Fe), Universitat de Valencia (UV), 46026 València, Spain
| | - Jose Perez-Calatayud
- Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Radiofísica e Instrumentación Nuclear en Medicina (IRIMED), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS-La Fe), Universitat de Valencia (UV), 46026 València, Spain
- Unitat de Radiofísica, Servei d'Oncologia Radioteràpica, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, 46026 València, Spain
- Hospital Clínica Benidorm, 03501 Benidorm, Spain
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11
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Manna F, Pugliese M, Buonanno F, Gherardi F, Iannacone E, La Verde G, Muto P, Arrichiello C. Use of Thermoluminescence Dosimetry for QA in High-Dose-Rate Skin Surface Brachytherapy with Custom-Flap Applicator. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:3592. [PMID: 37050652 PMCID: PMC10098582 DOI: 10.3390/s23073592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Surface brachytherapy (BT) lacks standard quality assurance (QA) protocols. Commercially available treatment planning systems (TPSs) are based on a dose calculation formalism that assumes the patient is made of water, resulting in potential deviations between planned and delivered doses. Here, a method for treatment plan verification for skin surface BT is reported. Chips of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used for dose point measurements. High-dose-rate treatments were simulated and delivered through a custom-flap applicator provided with four fixed catheters to guide the Iridium-192 (Ir-192) source by way of a remote afterloading system. A flat water-equivalent phantom was used to simulate patient skin. Elekta TPS Oncentra Brachy was used for planning. TLDs were calibrated to Ir-192 through an indirect method of linear interpolation between calibration factors (CFs) measured for 250 kV X-rays, Cesium-137, and Cobalt-60. Subsequently, plans were designed and delivered to test the reproducibility of the irradiation set-up and to make comparisons between planned and delivered dose. The obtained CF for Ir-192 was (4.96 ± 0.25) μC/Gy. Deviations between measured and TPS calculated doses for multi-catheter treatment configuration ranged from -8.4% to 13.3% with an average of 0.6%. TLDs could be included in clinical practice for QA in skin BT with a customized flap applicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Manna
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, Federico II University, 80126 Naples, Italy
- Centro Servizi Metrologici e Tecnologici Avanzati, Federico II University, 80146 Naples, Italy
| | - Mariagabriella Pugliese
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, Federico II University, 80126 Naples, Italy
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Section of Naples, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Buonanno
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Gherardi
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Eva Iannacone
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Verde
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, Federico II University, 80126 Naples, Italy
- National Institute of Nuclear Physics, Section of Naples, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Muto
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Cecilia Arrichiello
- Radiotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Naples, Italy
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12
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van Wagenberg T, Fonseca GP, Voncken R, van Beveren C, van Limbergen E, Lutgens L, Vanneste BGL, Berbee M, Reniers B, Verhaegen F. Treatment verification in high dose rate brachytherapy using a realistic 3D printed head phantom and an imaging panel. Brachytherapy 2023; 22:269-278. [PMID: 36631373 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2022.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Even though High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy has good treatment outcomes in different treatment sites, treatment verification is far from widely implemented because of a lack of easily available solutions. Previously it has been shown that an imaging panel (IP) near the patient can be used to determine treatment parameters such as the dwell time and source positions in a single material pelvic phantom. In this study we will use a heterogeneous head phantom to test this IP approach, and simulate common treatment errors to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the error-detecting capabilities of the IP. METHODS AND MATERIALS A heterogeneous head-phantom consisting of soft tissue and bone equivalent materials was 3D-printed to simulate a base of tongue treatment. An High Dose Rate treatment plan with 3 different catheters was used to simulate a treatment delivery, using dwell times ranging from 0.3 s to 4 s and inter-dwell distances of 2 mm. The IP was used to measure dwell times, positions and detect simulated errors. Measured dwell times and positions were used to calculate the delivered dose. RESULTS Dwell times could be determined within 0.1 s. Source positions were measured with submillimeter accuracy in the plane of the IP, and average distance accuracy of 1.7 mm in three dimensions. All simulated treatment errors (catheter swap, catheter shift, afterloader errors) were detected. Dose calculations show slightly different distributions with the measured dwell positions and dwell times (gamma pass rate for 1 mm/1% of 96.5%). CONCLUSIONS Using an IP, it was possible to verify the treatment in a realistic heterogeneous phantom and detect certain treatment errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teun van Wagenberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriel Paiva Fonseca
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Voncken
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Celine van Beveren
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Evert van Limbergen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludy Lutgens
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ben G L Vanneste
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Human Structure and Repair; Department of Radiation Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Maaike Berbee
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Brigitte Reniers
- Research group NuTeC, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Frank Verhaegen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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13
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Beaulieu L, Rivard MJ. Brachytherapy evolution as seen today. Med Phys 2023. [PMID: 36773303 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
While brachytherapy is the oldest form of radiation therapy, it is also a very exciting field from both physics and clinical perspectives. From the physics standpoint, brachytherapy dosimetry is largely being governed by the inverse-square law, leading to an unparalleled dose deposition kernel (dose emitted by a seed or single dwell position), even compared to proton or heavy-ion beamlets. There is slightly more dose beyond the central deposition point, but comparatively very little prior to it, that is, little or no entrance dose! It is easy to sum multiple dwell positions that cover a tumor, and the intensity can be modulated quite effectively using dwell times. From a clinical perspective, what sets brachytherapy apart from other intraoperative modalities (e.g., laser, radiofrequency, cryogenic) is our ability to precisely calculate the energy deposited across the relevant patient geometry, anticipate the effect from known dose-outcome relationships, and deliver that energy with exquisite control and selectively to the target volume while sparing organs at risks. This targeting ability has improved substantially over the last two decades. It is built upon key foundational elements, many of which stem from the research and development within our medical physics community. This article provides an overview of these elements that combine to make brachytherapy a successful and developing radiotherapy modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Beaulieu
- Centre Intrégé de Cancérologie et Axe oncologie du Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, CHU de Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada.,Département de Physique, de Génie Physique et d'Optique et Centre de Recherche sur le Cancer, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Mark J Rivard
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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14
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Moonkum N, Turathong S, Pinitpatcharalert A, Seechompoo J, Suetong C, Danthanavat N, Tochaikul G. A phamtom study: In vivo rectal dosimetry of high dose rate brachytherapy in cervical cancer. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 192:110604. [PMID: 36495786 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to perform in-vivo dosimetry using a diode rectal dosimeter in phantom and compare the dose delivered to the rectum between the dose measured by the diode dosimeter and the dose calculated by the treatment planning system in cervical cancer. The PTW T9112 diode detector calibrations were performed to find the correction factor. Then the calibrated diode detector was used to measure the radiation dose received in the rectum area in the in-house pelvic phantom. An Iridium-192 source was loaded into the phantom with 7 Gy, the measurements were 3 times per treatment plan, with 15 total plans studied. The average cumulative charge (nC) of each plan was converted to the absorbed dose (mGy) for comparison with the treatment planning system. Finally, to test the hypothesis that an absorbed dose from the detector and the treatment planning system were not significantly different, dependent t-test statistical analysis was applied with p-value <0.05. For distance and direction correction factors, we found that the factors were approximately 1 at 5 cm and 180°. The percentage differences of radiation dose between the diode dosimeter and the treatment planning system were between -3.3 and 4.1%. Statistical analysis revealed that the doses from the detector and the treatment planning system were not statistically significant different. The comparison showed that the percent difference between diode dosimeter and treatment planning system was acceptable to perform the in vivo dosimetry in brachytherapy. Therefore, the diode detector may be a suitable candidate for a treatment verification system in cervical cancer brachytherapy to prevent the dose delivery errors that directly affect the prognosis and may cause complications for the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nutthapong Moonkum
- Faculty of Radiological Technology, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand
| | - Suriyaporn Turathong
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Thammasat Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | | | - Janrudi Seechompoo
- Faculty of Radiological Technology, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand
| | - Chantiya Suetong
- Faculty of Radiological Technology, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand
| | - Nuttapong Danthanavat
- Faculty of Radiological Technology, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand
| | - Gunjanaporn Tochaikul
- Faculty of Radiological Technology, Rangsit University, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand.
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15
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Melhus CS, Simiele SJ, Aima M, Richardson S. Learning from the past: a century of accuracy, aspirations, and aspersions in brachytherapy. Br J Radiol 2022; 95:20220500. [PMID: 35969474 PMCID: PMC9733622 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20220500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The oldest form of radiation therapy, brachytherapy, has been investigated and reported in the scientific and medical literature for well over a century. Known by many names over the years, radium-based, empirical practices evolved over decades to contemporary practice. This includes treatment at various dose rates using multiple radionuclides or even electrically generated photon sources. Predictions or prognostications of what may happen in the future enjoy a history that spans centuries, e.g. those by Nostradamus in the 1500s. In this review article, publications from several eras of past practice between the early 1900s and the late 2010s where the authors address the "future of brachytherapy" are presented, and for many of these publications, one can use the benefit of the intervening years to comment on the accuracy or the inaccuracies inherent in those publications. Finally, recently published papers are reviewed to examine current expectations for the future practice of brachytherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Melhus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha J Simiele
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Manik Aima
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Susan Richardson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, United States
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16
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Investigation of the light output of 3D-printed plastic scintillators for dosimetry applications. RADIAT MEAS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2022.106864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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Tachibana H, Watanabe Y, Kurokawa S, Maeyama T, Hiroki T, Ikoma H, Hirashima H, Kojima H, Shiinoki T, Tanimoto Y, Shimizu H, Shishido H, Oka Y, Hirose TA, Kinjo M, Morozumi T, Kurooka M, Suzuki H, Saito T, Fujita K, Shirata R, Inada R, Yada R, Yamashita M, Kondo K, Hanada T, Takenaka T, Usui K, Okamoto H, Asakura H, Notake R, Kojima T, Kumazaki Y, Hatanaka S, Kikumura R, Nakajima M, Nakada R, Suzuki R, Mizuno H, Kawamura S, Nakamura M, Akimoto T. Multi-Institutional Study of End-to-End Dose Delivery Quality Assurance Testing for Image-Guided Brachytherapy Using a Gel Dosimeter. Brachytherapy 2022; 21:956-967. [PMID: 35902335 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To quantify dose delivery errors for high-dose-rate image-guided brachytherapy (HDR-IGBT) using an independent end-to-end dose delivery quality assurance test at multiple institutions. The novelty of our study is that this is the first multi-institutional end-to-end dose delivery study in the world. MATERIALS AND METHODS The postal audit used a polymer gel dosimeter in a cylindrical acrylic container for the afterloading system. Image acquisition using computed tomography, treatment planning, and irradiation were performed at each institution. Dose distribution comparison between the plan and gel measurement was performed. The percentage of pixels satisfying the absolute-dose gamma criterion was reviewed. RESULTS Thirty-five institutions participated in this study. The dose uncertainty was 3.6% ± 2.3% (mean ± 1.96σ). The geometric uncertainty with a coverage factor of k = 2 was 3.5 mm. The tolerance level was set to the gamma passing rate of 95% with the agreement criterion of 5% (global)/3 mm, which was determined from the uncertainty estimation. The percentage of pixels satisfying the gamma criterion was 90.4% ± 32.2% (mean ± 1.96σ). Sixty-six percent (23/35) of the institutions passed the verification. Of the institutions that failed the verification, 75% (9/12) had incorrect inputs of the offset between the catheter tip and indexer length in treatment planning and 17% (2/12) had incorrect catheter reconstruction in treatment planning. CONCLUSIONS The methodology should be useful for comprehensively checking the accuracy of HDR-IGBT dose delivery and credentialing clinical studies. The results of our study highlight the high risk of large source positional errors while delivering dose for HDR-IGBT in clinical practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidenobu Tachibana
- Radiation Safety and Quality Assurance division, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Yusuke Watanabe
- School of Allied Health Sciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shogo Kurokawa
- Radiation Safety and Quality Assurance division, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takuya Maeyama
- School of Science, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Hiroki
- Department of Radiology, Tokai University Hospital, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hideaki Ikoma
- Department of Radiation Technology, Ibaraki Prefectual Central Hospital, Kasama, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hideaki Hirashima
- Deparment of Radiation Oncology and Image-Applied Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hironori Kojima
- Department of Radiology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Takehiro Shiinoki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Yuuki Tanimoto
- Department of Radiology, Shikoku Cancer Center, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Shimizu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroki Shishido
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Oka
- Department of Radiology, Fukushima Medical University Hospital, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Taka-Aki Hirose
- Division of Radiology, Department of Medical Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masashi Kinjo
- Department of Radiology, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medical Science, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Morozumi
- Department of Radiology, Nagano Municipal Hospital, Nagano, Nagano, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kurooka
- Department of Radiation Therapy, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Suzuki
- Department of Radiology, University of Yamanashi Hospital, Chuo, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Saito
- Central Division of Radiology, Akita University Hospital, Akita, Akita, Japan
| | - Keiichi Fujita
- Department of Radiology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Shirata
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryuji Inada
- Department of Radiology, Kitasato University Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Yada
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Mikiko Yamashita
- Department of Radiological Technology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kazuto Kondo
- Department of Radiological Technology, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takashi Hanada
- Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Takenaka
- Department of Radiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keisuke Usui
- Department of Radiological Technology, Juntendo University, Faculty of Health Science, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Okamoto
- Radiation Safety and Quality Assurance Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Chuo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Asakura
- Radiation Oncology Center, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Shimotsuga, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Notake
- Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical And Dental University, Medical Hospital, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toru Kojima
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saitama Cancer Center, Ina, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yu Kumazaki
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Hidaka, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shogo Hatanaka
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama Medical University, Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan
| | - Riki Kikumura
- Department of Radiology, National Hospital Organization, Tokyo Medical Center, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Nakajima
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Cancer Institute Hospital Of JFCR, Koto, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosei Nakada
- Radiation and Proton Therapy Center, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Suzuki
- Department of Medical physics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Mizuno
- Quality control section, QST hospital, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Chiba, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shinji Kawamura
- Division of Radiological Sciences, Teikyo University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Omuta, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Mistuhiro Nakamura
- Division of Medical Physics, Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Akimoto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
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18
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Optimization of the energy window setting in Ir-192 source imaging for high-dose-rate brachytherapy using a YAP(Ce) gamma camera. Phys Med 2022; 103:66-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2022.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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19
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In Vivo Dosimetry for Superficial High Dose Rate Brachytherapy with Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimeters: A Comparison Study with Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors. RADIATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/radiation2040026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to calibrate and commission optically-stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) for in vivo measurements in contact-based 192Ir treatments for superficial high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy in place of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). Dose linearity and dose rate dependence were tested by varying source-to-OSLD distance and dwell time. Angular dependence was measured using a solid water phantom setup for OSLD rotation. A group of OSLDs were readout 34 consecutive times to test readout depletion while OSLDs were optically annealed using a mercury lamp for 34.7 h. End-to-end tests were performed using a Freiburg flap and Valencia applicator. OSLD measurements were compared to MOSFETs and treatment planning system (TPS) doses. OSLD response was supralinear for doses above 275 cGy. They were found to be independent of dose rate and dependent on the incident angle in edge-on scenarios. OSLDs exhibited minimal readout depletion and were successfully annealed after 24 h of illumination. Freiburg flap measurements agreed well with the TPS. For the Valencia, OSLDs showed to be the more accurate system over MOSFETs, with a maximum disagreement with the TPS being 0.09%. As such, OSLDs can successfully be used in place of MOSFETs for in vivo dosimetry for superficial HDR brachytherapy.
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20
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Houlihan OA, Workman G, Hounsell AR, Prise KM, Jain S. In vivo dosimetry in pelvic brachytherapy. Br J Radiol 2022; 95:20220046. [PMID: 35635803 PMCID: PMC10996950 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20220046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE This paper describes the potential role for in vivo dosimetry in the reduction of uncertainties in pelvic brachytherapy, the pertinent factors for consideration in clinical practice, and the future potential for in vivo dosimetry in the personalisation of brachytherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla Anne Houlihan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer
Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust,
Belfast, UK
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's
University Belfast, Belfast,
UK
| | - Geraldine Workman
- Radiotherapy Physics, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast
Health and Social Care Trust,
Belfast, UK
| | - Alan R Hounsell
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's
University Belfast, Belfast,
UK
- Radiotherapy Physics, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast
Health and Social Care Trust,
Belfast, UK
| | - Kevin M Prise
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's
University Belfast, Belfast,
UK
| | - Suneil Jain
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer
Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust,
Belfast, UK
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's
University Belfast, Belfast,
UK
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21
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Jaberi R, Babaloui S, Siavashpour Z, Moshtaghi M, Shirazi A, Joya M, Gholami MH, Jafari S. 3D in vivo dosimetry of HDR gynecological brachytherapy using micro silica bead TLDs. J Appl Clin Med Phys 2022; 23:e13729. [PMID: 35946855 PMCID: PMC9512342 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of defining an in vivo dosimetry (IVD) protocol as a patient‐specific quality assurance (PSQA) using the bead thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) for point and 3D IVD during brachytherapy (BT) of gynecological (GYN) cancer using 60Co high‐dose‐rate (HDR) source. Methods The 3D in vivo absorbed dose verification within the rectum and bladder as organs‐at‐risk was performed by bead TLDs for 30 GYN cancer patients. For rectal wall dosimetry, 80 TLDs were placed in axial arrangements around a rectal tube covered with a layer of gel. Ten beads were placed inside the Foley catheter to get the bladder‐absorbed dose. Beads TLDs were localized and defined as control points in the treatment planning system (TPS) using CT images of the patients. Patients were planned and treated using the routine BT protocol. The experimentally obtained absorbed dose map of the rectal wall and the point dose of the bladder were compared to the TPSs predicted absorbed dose at these control points. Results Relative difference between TPS and TLDs results were −8.3% ± 19.5% and −7.2% ± 14.6% (1SD) for rectum‐ and bladder‐absorbed dose, respectively. Gamma analysis was used to compare the calculated with the measured absorbed dose maps. Mean gamma passing rates of 84.1%, 90.8%, and 92.5% using the criteria of 3%/2 mm, 3%/3 mm, and 4%/2 mm were obtained, respectively. Eventually, a “considering level” of at least 85% as pass rate with 4%/2‐mm criteria was recommended. Conclusions A 3D IVD protocol employing bead TLDs was presented to measure absorbed doses delivered to the rectum and bladder during GYN HDR‐BT as a reliable PSQA method. 3D rectal absorbed dose measurements were performed. Differences between experimentally measured and planned absorbed dose maps were presented in the form of a gamma index, which may be used as a warning for corrective action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin Jaberi
- Radiation Oncology Department, Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Somayyeh Babaloui
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Siavashpour
- Radiotherapy Oncology Department, Shohada-e-Tajrish Educational Hospital, Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Moshtaghi
- Radiation Oncology Department, Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Shirazi
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Musa Joya
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Radiology Department, Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Afghanistan
| | - Mohammad Hadi Gholami
- Department of Medical Radiation Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.,Mahdieh Radiotherapy Oncology Center, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Shakardokht Jafari
- Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.,Medical Physics Dept., Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK.,Medical Research Centre, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan
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22
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In Vivo Verification of Treatment Source Dwell Times in Brachytherapy of Postoperative Endometrial Carcinoma: A Feasibility Study. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12060911. [PMID: 35743696 PMCID: PMC9224704 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12060911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: In brachytherapy, there are still many manual procedures that can cause adverse events which can be detected with in vivo dosimetry systems. Plastic scintillator dosimeters (PSD) have interesting properties to achieve this objective such as real-time reading, linearity, repeatability, and small size to fit inside brachytherapy catheters. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a PSD in postoperative endometrial brachytherapy in terms of source dwell time accuracy. (2) Methods: Measurements were carried out in a PMMA phantom to characterise the PSD. Patient measurements in 121 dwell positions were analysed to obtain the differences between planned and measured dwell times. (3) Results: The repeatability test showed a relative standard deviation below 1% for the measured dwell times. The relative standard deviation of the PSD sensitivity with accumulated absorbed dose was lower than 1.2%. The equipment operated linearly in total counts with respect to absorbed dose and also in count rate versus absorbed dose rate. The mean (standard deviation) of the absolute differences between planned and measured dwell times in patient treatments was 0.0 (0.2) seconds. (4) Conclusions: The PSD system is useful as a quality assurance tool for brachytherapy treatments.
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23
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Lekatou A, Peppa V, Karaiskos P, Pantelis E, Papagiannis P. On the potential of 2D ion chamber arrays for high-dose rate remote afterloading brachytherapy quality assurance. Phys Med Biol 2022; 67. [PMID: 35334474 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac612d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Objective. To investigate the potential of 2D ion chamber arrays to serve as a standalone tool for the verification of source strength, positioning and dwell time, within the framework of192Ir high-dose rate brachytherapy device quality assurance (QA).Approach.A commercially available ion chamber array was used. Fitting of a 2D Lorentzian peak function to experimental data from a multiple source dwell position irradiation on a frame-by-frame basis, facilitated tracking of the source center orthogonal projection on the array plane. For source air kerma strength verification, Monte Carlo simulation was employed to obtain a chamber array- and source-specific correction factor of calibration with a 6 MV photon beam. This factor converted the signal measured by each ion chamber element to air kerma in free space. A source positioning correction was also applied to lift potential geometry mismatch between experiment and Monte Carlo simulation.Main results.Spatial and temporal accuracy of source movement was verified within 0.5 mm and 0.02 s, respectively, in compliance with the test endpoints recommended by international professional societies. The source air kerma strength was verified experimentally within method uncertainties estimated as 1.44% (k = 1). The source positioning correction method employed did not introduce bias to experimental results of irradiations where source positioning was accurate. Development of a custom jig attachable to the chamber array for accurate and reproducible experimental set up would improve testing accuracy and obviate the need for source positioning correction in air kerma strength verification.Significance.Delivery of a single irradiation plan, optimized based on results of this work, to a 2D ion chamber array can be used for concurrent testing of source position, dwell time and air kerma strength, and the procedure can be expedited through automation. Chamber arrays merit further study in treatment planning QA and real time,in vivodose verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristea Lekatou
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Peppa
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Pantelis Karaiskos
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Pantelis
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Papagiannis
- Medical Physics Laboratory, Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias, 11527 Athens, Greece
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24
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Poder J, Koprivec D, Dookie Y, Howie A, Cutajar D, Damato AL, Côté N, Petasecca M, Bucci J, Rosenfeld A. HDR prostate brachytherapy plan robustness and its effect on in-vivo source tracking error thresholds: A multi-institutional study. Med Phys 2022; 49:3529-3537. [PMID: 35388456 PMCID: PMC9322430 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of departmental planning techniques on appropriate in-vivo source tracking error thresholds for high dose rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy (BT) treatments, and to determine if a single in-vivo source tracking error threshold would be appropriate for the same patient anatomy. METHOD The prostate, rectum, and urethra, was contoured on a single patient trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) dataset. Anonymised DICOM files were disseminated to 16 departments who created an HDR prostate BT treatment plan on the dataset with a prescription dose of 15 Gy in a single fraction. Departments were asked to follow their own local treatment planning guidelines. Source positioning errors were then simulated in the 16 treatment plans and the effect on dose-volume histogram (DVH) indices calculated. Change in DVH indices were used to determine appropriate in-vivo source tracking error thresholds. Plans were considered to require intervention if the following DVH conditions occurred: prostate V100% < 90%, urethra D0.1cc > 118%, and rectum Dmax > 80%. RESULTS There was wide variation in appropriate in-vivo source tracking error thresholds amongst the 16 participating departments, ranging from 1 - 6 mm. Appropriate in-vivo source tracking error thresholds were also found to depend on the direction of the source positioning error and the end-point. A robustness parameter was derived, and found to correlate with the sensitivity of plans to source positioning errors. CONCLUSION A single HDR prostate BT in-vivo source tracking error threshold cannot be applied across multiple departments, even for the same patient anatomy. The burden on in-vivo source tracking devices may be eased through improving HDR prostate BT plan robustness during the plan optimisation phase. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Poder
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Dylan Koprivec
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Yashiv Dookie
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Howie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
| | - Dean Cutajar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Antonio L Damato
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Côté
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marco Petasecca
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Joseph Bucci
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
| | - Anatoly Rosenfeld
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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25
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Pushpavanam K, Dutta S, Inamdar S, Bista T, Sokolowski T, Rapchak A, Sadeghi A, Sapareto S, Rege K. Versatile Detection and Monitoring of Ionizing Radiation Treatment Using Radiation-Responsive Gel Nanosensors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:14997-15007. [PMID: 35316013 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Modern radiation therapy workflow involves complex processes intended to maximize the radiation dose delivered to tumors while simultaneously minimizing excess radiation to normal tissues. Safe and accurate delivery of radiation doses is critical to the successful execution of these treatment plans and effective treatment outcomes. Given extensive differences in existing dosimeters, the choice of devices and technologies for detecting biologically relevant doses of radiation has to be made judiciously, taking into account anatomical considerations and modality of treatment (invasive, e.g., interstitial brachytherapy vs noninvasive, e.g., external-beam therapy radiotherapy). Rapid advances in versatile radiation delivery technologies necessitate new detection platforms and devices that are readily adaptable into a multitude of form factors in order to ensure precision and safety in dose delivery. Here, we demonstrate the adaptability of radiation-responsive gel nanosensors as a platform technology for detecting ionizing radiation using three different form factors with an eye toward versatile use in the clinic. In this approach, ionizing radiation results in the reduction of monovalent gold salts leading to the formation of gold nanoparticles within gels formulated in different morphologies including one-dimensional (1D) needles for interstitial brachytherapy, two-dimensional (2D) area inserts for skin brachytherapy, and three-dimensional (3D) volumetric dose distribution in tissue phantoms. The formation of gold nanoparticles can be detected using distinct but complementary modes of readout including optical (visual) and photothermal detection, which further enhances the versatility of this approach. A linear response in the readout was seen as a function of radiation dose, which enabled straightforward calibration of each of these devices for predicting unknown doses of therapeutic relevance. Taken together, these results indicate that the gel nanosensor technology can be used to detect ionizing radiation in different morphologies and using different detection methods for application in treatment planning, delivery, and verification in radiotherapy and in trauma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karthik Pushpavanam
- Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Subhadeep Dutta
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Sahil Inamdar
- Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Tomasz Bista
- Banner-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Gilbert, Arizona 85234, United States
| | | | - Alek Rapchak
- Banner-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Gilbert, Arizona 85234, United States
| | - Amir Sadeghi
- Banner-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Gilbert, Arizona 85234, United States
| | - Stephen Sapareto
- Banner-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Gilbert, Arizona 85234, United States
| | - Kaushal Rege
- Chemical Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Biological Design Graduate Program, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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26
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Yukihara E, Christensen J, Togno M. Demonstration of an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) material with reduced quenching for proton therapy dosimetry: MgB4O7:Ce,Li. RADIAT MEAS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2022.106721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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27
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Using micro silica bead TLDs in high dose rate brachytherapy dosimetry: A phantom study. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2021.109826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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28
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Jørgensen EB, Buus S, Bentzen L, Hokland SB, Rylander S, Kertzscher G, Beddar S, Tanderup K, Johansen JG. 3D dose reconstruction based on in vivo dosimetry for determining the dosimetric impact of geometric variations in high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy. Radiother Oncol 2022; 171:62-68. [PMID: 35033604 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In vivo dosimetry (IVD) can be used for source tracking (ST), i.e., estimating source positions, during brachytherapy. The aim of this study was to exploit IVD-based ST to perform 3D dose reconstruction for high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy and to evaluate the robustness of the treatments against observed geometric variations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-three fractions of high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy were analysed. The treatment planning was based on MRI. Time-resolved IVD was performed using a fibre-coupled scintillator. ST was retrospectively performed using the IVD measurements. The ST identified 2D positional shifts of each treatment catheter and thereby inferred updated source positions. For each fraction, the dose was recalculated based on the source-tracked catheter positions and compared with the original plan dose using differences in dose volume histogram indices. RESULTS Of 352 treatment catheters, 344 had shifts of less than 5 mm. Shifts between 5 and 10 mm were observed for 3 catheters, and shifts greater than 10 mm for 2 catheters. The ST failed for 3 catheters. The maximum relative difference in clinical target volume (prostate + 3 mm isotropic margin) D90% was 5%. In one fraction, the bladder D2cm3 dose increased by 18% (1.4Gy) due to a single source position being inside the bladder rather than nearby as planned. The max increase in urethra dose was 1.5Gy (15%). CONCLUSION IVD-based 3D dose reconstruction for high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy is feasible. The dosimetric impact of the observed catheter shifts was limited. Dose reconstruction can therefore aid in determining the dosimetric impact of geometric variations and errors in brachytherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik B Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Simon Buus
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lise Bentzen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Susanne Rylander
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Sam Beddar
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United States
| | - Kari Tanderup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jacob G Johansen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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29
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Henry A, Pieters BR, André Siebert F, Hoskin P. GEC-ESTRO ACROP prostate brachytherapy guidelines. Radiother Oncol 2022; 167:244-251. [PMID: 34999134 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This is an evidence-based guideline for prostate brachytherapy. Throughout levels of evidence quoted are those from the Oxford Centre for Evidence based Medicine (https://www.cebm.ox.ac.uk/resources/levels-of-evidence/oxford-centre-for-evidence-based-medicine-levels-of-evidence-march-2009). Prostate interstitial brachytherapy using either permanent or temporary implantation is an established and evolving treatment technique for non-metastatic prostate cancer. Permanent brachytherapy uses Low Dose Rate (LDR) sources, most commonly I-125, emitting photon radiation over months. Temporary brachytherapy involves first placing catheters within the prostate and, on confirmation of accurate positioning, temporarily introducing the radioactive source, generally High Dose Rate (HDR) radioactive sources of Ir-192 or less commonly Co-60. Pulsed dose rate (PDR) brachytherapy has also been used for prostate cancer [1] but few centres have adopted this approach. Previous GEC ESTRO recommendations have considered LDR and HDR separately [2-4] but as there is considerable overlap, this paper provides updated guidance for both treatment techniques. Prostate brachytherapy allows safe radiation dose escalation beyond that achieved using external beam radiotherapy alone as it has greater conformity around the prostate, sparing surrounding rectum, bladder, and penile bulb. In addition there are fewer issues with changes in prostate position during treatment delivery. Systematic review and randomised trials using both techniques as boost treatments demonstrate improved PSA control when compared to external beam radiotherapy alone [5-7].
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Henry
- St James University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Bradley R Pieters
- Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank André Siebert
- University of Kiel/University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Germany
| | - Peter Hoskin
- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, UK; University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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30
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Jørgensen EB, Johansen JG, Overgaard J, Piché-Meunier D, Tho D, Rosales HML, Tanderup K, Beaulieu L, Kertzscher G, Beddar S. A high-Z inorganic scintillator-based detector for time-resolved in vivo dosimetry during brachytherapy. Med Phys 2021; 48:7382-7398. [PMID: 34586641 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE High-dose rate (HDR) and pulsed-dose rate (PDR) brachytherapy would benefit from an independent treatment verification system to monitor treatment delivery and to detect errors in real time. This paper characterizes and provides an uncertainty budget for a detector based on a fiber-coupled high-Z inorganic scintillator capable of performing time-resolved in vivo dosimetry during HDR and PDR brachytherapy. METHOD The detector was composed of a detector probe and an optical reader. The detector probe consisted of either a 0.5 × 0.4 × 0.4 mm3 (HDR) or a 1.0 × 0.4 × 0.4 mm3 (PDR) cuboid ZnSe:O crystal glued onto an optical-fiber cable. The outer diameter of the detector probes was 1 mm, and fit inside standard brachytherapy catheters. The signal from the detector probe was read out at 20 Hz by a photodiode and a data acquisition device inside the optical reader. In order to construct an uncertainty budget for the detector, six characteristics were determined: (1) temperature dependence of the detector probe, (2) energy dependence as a function of the probe-to-source position in 2D (determined with 2 mm resolution using a robotic arm), (3) the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), (4) short-term stability over 8 h, and (5) long-term stability of three optical readers and four probes used for in vivo monitoring in HDR and PDR treatments over 21 months (196 treatments and 189 detector calibrations, and (6) dose-rate dependence. RESULTS The total uncertainty of the detector at a 20 mm probe-to-source distance was < 5.1% and < 5.8% for the HDR and PDR versions, respectively. Regarding the above characteristics, (1) the sensitivity of the detector decreased by an average of 1.4%/°C for detector probe temperatures varying from 22 to 37°C; (2) the energy dependence of the detector was nonlinear and depended on both probe-to-source distance and the angle between the probe and the brachytherapy source; (3) the median SNRs were 187 and 34 at a 20 mm probe-to-source distance for the HDR and PDR versions, respectively (corresponding median source activities of 4.8 and 0.56 Ci, respectively); (4) the detector response varied by 0.6% in 11 identical irradiations over 8 h; (5) the sensitivity of the four detector probes decreased systematically by 0-1.2%/100 Gy of dose delivered to the probes, and random fluctuations of 4.8% in the sensitivity were observed for the three probes used in PDR and 1.9% for the probe used in HDR; and (6) the detector response was linear with dose rate. CONCLUSION ZnSe:O detectors can be used effectively for in vivo dosimetry and with high accuracy for HDR and PDR brachytherapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik B Jørgensen
- Health Graduate School, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jacob G Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Dominique Piché-Meunier
- Département de physique-de génie physique et d'optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, Québec City, Quebec, Canada.,Département de radio-oncologie et Axe Oncologie, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Daline Tho
- Département de physique-de génie physique et d'optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, Québec City, Quebec, Canada.,Département de radio-oncologie et Axe Oncologie, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Haydee M L Rosales
- Département de physique-de génie physique et d'optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, Québec City, Quebec, Canada.,Département de radio-oncologie et Axe Oncologie, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kari Tanderup
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Luc Beaulieu
- Département de physique-de génie physique et d'optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, Québec City, Quebec, Canada.,Département de radio-oncologie et Axe Oncologie, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gustavo Kertzscher
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sam Beddar
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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Marczyk M, Polańska J, Wojcik A, Lundholm L. Analysis of the Applicability of microRNAs in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes as Biomarkers of Sensitivity and Exposure to Fractionated Radiotherapy towards Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8705. [PMID: 34445424 PMCID: PMC8395710 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers for predicting individual response to radiation and for dose verification are needed to improve radiotherapy. A biomarker should optimally show signal fidelity, meaning that its level is stable and proportional to the absorbed dose. miRNA levels in human blood serum were suggested as promising biomarkers. The aim of the present investigation was to test the miRNA biomarker in leukocytes of breast cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy. Leukocytes were isolated from blood samples collected prior to exposure (control); on the day when a total dose of 2 Gy, 10 Gy, or 20 Gy was reached; and one month after therapy ended (46-50 Gy in total). RNA sequencing was performed and univariate analysis was used to analyse the effect of the radiation dose on the expression of single miRNAs. To check if combinations of miRNAs can predict absorbed dose, a multinomial logistic regression model was built using a training set from eight patients (representing 40 samples) and a validation set with samples from the remaining eight patients (15 samples). Finally, Broadside, an explorative interaction mining tool, was used to extract sets of interacting miRNAs. The most prominently increased miRNA was miR-744-5p, followed by miR-4461, miR-34a-5p, miR-6513-5p, miR-1246, and miR-454-3p. Decreased miRNAs were miR-3065-3p, miR-103a-2-5p, miR-30b-3p, and miR-5690. Generally, most miRNAs showed a relatively strong inter-individual variability and different temporal patterns over the course of radiotherapy. In conclusion, miR-744-5p shows promise as a stable miRNA marker, but most tested miRNAs displayed individual signal variability which, at least in this setting, may exclude them as sensitive biomarkers of radiation response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Marczyk
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; (M.M.); (J.P.)
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Joanna Polańska
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland; (M.M.); (J.P.)
| | - Andrzej Wojcik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Lovisa Lundholm
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
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Hayashi H, Kimoto N, Maeda T, Tomita E, Asahara T, Goto S, Kanazawa Y, Shitakubo Y, Sakuragawa K, Ikushima H, Okazaki T, Hashizume T. A disposable OSL dosimeter for in vivo measurement of rectum dose during brachytherapy. Med Phys 2021; 48:4621-4635. [PMID: 33760234 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to develop a disposable rectum dosimeter and to demonstrate its ability to measure exposure dose to the rectum during brachytherapy for cervical cancer treatment using high-dose rate 192 Ir. Our rectum dosimeter measures the dose with an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sheet which was furled to a catheter. The catheter we used is 6 mm in diameter; therefore, it is much less invasive than other rectum dosimeters. The rectum dosimeter developed in this study has the characteristics of being inexpensive and disposable. It is also an easy-to-use detector that can be individually sterilized, making it suitable for clinical use. METHODS To obtain a dose calibration curve, phantom experiments were performed. Irradiation was performed using a cubical acrylic phantom, and the response of the OSL dosimeter was calibrated with the calculation value predicted by the treatment planning system (TPS). Additionally, the dependence of catheter angle on the dosimeter position and repeatability were evaluated. We also measured the absorbed dose to the rectum of patients who were undergoing brachytherapy for cervical cancer (n = 64). The doses measured with our dosimeters were compared with the doses calculated by the TPS. In order to examine the causes of large differences between measured and planned doses, we classified the data into common and specific cases when performing this clinical study. For specific cases, the following three categories were considered: (a) patient movement, (b) gas in the vagina and/or rectum, and (c) artifacts in the X-ray image caused by applicators. RESULTS A dose calibration curve was obtained in the range of 0.1 Gy-10.0 Gy. From the evaluation of the dependence of catheter angle on the dosimeter position and repeatability, we determined that our dosimeter can measure rectum dose with an accuracy of 3.1% (k = 1). In this clinical study, we succeeded in measuring actual doses using our rectum dosimeter. We found that the deviation of the measured dose from the planned dose was derived to be 12.7% (k = 1); this result shows that the clinical study included large elements of uncertainty. The discrepancies were found to be due to patient motion during treatment, applicator movement after planning images were taken, and artifacts in the planning images. CONCLUSIONS We present the idea that a minimally invasive rectum dosimeter can be fabricated using an OSL sheet. Our clinical study demonstrates that a rectum dosimeter made from an OSL sheet has sufficient ability to evaluate rectum dose. Using this dosimeter, valuable information concerning organs at risk can be obtained during brachytherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Hayashi
- College of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Natsumi Kimoto
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Maeda
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Emi Tomita
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Asahara
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.,Okayama University Hospital, Kitaku, Okayama, Japan
| | - Sota Goto
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yuki Kanazawa
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
| | | | | | - Hitoshi Ikushima
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan.,Tokushima University Hospital, Tokushima, Japan
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Tho D, Lavallée MC, Beaulieu L. Performance of an enhanced afterloader with electromagnetic tracking capabilities for channel reconstruction and error detection. Med Phys 2021; 48:4402-4410. [PMID: 33938002 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess catheter reconstruction and error detection performance of an afterloader (Elekta Brachytherapy, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) equipped with electromagnetic (EM) tracking capabilities. MATERIALS/METHODS The Flexitron research unit used was equipped with a special check cable integrating an EM sensor (NDI Aurora V3) that enables tracking and reconstruction capability. The reconstructions of a 24-cm long catheter were performed using two methods: continuous fixed-speed check cable backward stepping (at 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cm/s) and stepping through each dwell position every 1 mm. The ability of the system to differentiate between two closely located (parallel) catheters was investigated by connecting catheters to the afterloader and moving it from its axis with an increment of 1 mm. A robotic arm (Meca500, Mecademic, Montreal) with an accuracy of 0.01 mm was used to move the catheter between each reconstruction. Reconstructions were obtained with a locally weighted scatterplot smoothing algorithm. To quantify the reconstruction accuracy, distances between two catheters were computed along the reconstruction track with a 5 mm step. The reconstructions of curve catheter paths were assessed through parallel and perpendicular phantom configuration to the EM field generator. Indexer length and lateral errors were simulated and a ROC analysis was made. RESULTS Using a 50 cm/s check cable speed does not allow for accurate reconstructions. A slower check cable speed results in better reconstruction performance and smaller standard deviations. At 1 cm/s, a catheter can be shifted laterally down to 1 mm and all paths can be uniquely identified. The optimum operating distance from the field generator (50 to 300 mm) resulted in a lower absolute mean deviation from the expected value (0.2 ± 0.1 mm) versus being positioned on the edge of the electromagnetic sensitive detection volume (0.6 ±0.3 mm). The reconstructions of curved catheters with a check cable speed under 5 cm/s gave a 0.8 mm ±0.3 mm error, or better. All indexer and lateral shifts of 1 mm were detected with a check cable speed of 2.5 cm/s or lower. CONCLUSIONS The EM-equipped Flexitron afterloader is able to track and reconstruct catheters with high accuracy. A speed under 5 cm/s is recommended for straight and curved catheter reconstructions. It allows catheter identification down to 1 mm inter-catheter distance shift. The check cable can also be used to detect common shift errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daline Tho
- Département de radio-oncologie and Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, CHU de Québec, Quebec, Quebec, G1R 3S1, Canada.,Département de physique, de génie physique et d'optique, et Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Lavallée
- Département de radio-oncologie and Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, CHU de Québec, Quebec, Quebec, G1R 3S1, Canada.,Département de physique, de génie physique et d'optique, et Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Luc Beaulieu
- Département de radio-oncologie and Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, CHU de Québec, Quebec, Quebec, G1R 3S1, Canada.,Département de physique, de génie physique et d'optique, et Centre de recherche sur le cancer, Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada
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Linares Rosales HM, Johansen JG, Kertzscher G, Tanderup K, Beaulieu L, Beddar S. 3D source tracking and error detection in HDR using two independent scintillator dosimetry systems. Med Phys 2021; 48:2095-2107. [PMID: 33222208 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study is to perform three-dimensional (3D) source position reconstruction by combining in vivo dosimetry measurements from two independent detector systems. METHODS Time-resolved dosimetry was performed in a water phantom during HDR brachytherapy irradiation with 192 Ir source using two detector systems. The first was based on three plastic scintillator detectors and the second on a single inorganic crystal (CsI:Tl). Brachytherapy treatments were simulated in water under TG-43U1 conditions, including a HDR prostate plan. Treatment needles were placed in distances covering a range of source movement of 120 mm around the detectors. The distance from each dwell position to each scintillator was determined based on the measured dose rates. The three distances given by the mPSD were recalculated to a position along the catheter (z) and a distance radially away from the mPSD (xy) for each dwell position (a circumference around the mPSD). The source x, y, and z coordinates were derived from the intersection of the mPSD's circumference with the sphere around the ISD based on the distance to this detector. We evaluated the accuracy of the source position reconstruction as a function of the distance to the source, the most likely location for detector positioning within a prostate volume, as well as the capacity to detect positioning errors. RESULTS Approximately 4000 source dwell positions were tracked for eight different HDR plans. An intersection of the mPSD torus and the ISD sphere was observed in 77.2% of the dwell positions, assuming no uncertainty in the dose rate determined distance. This increased to 100% if 1σ search regions were added. However, only 73(96)% of the expected dwell positions were found within the intersection band for 1(2) σ uncertainties. The agreement between the source's reconstructed and expected positions was within 3 mm for a range of distances to the source up to 50 mm. The experiments on a HDR prostate plan, showed that by having at least one of the detectors located in the middle of the prostate volume, reduces the measurement deviations considerably compared to scenarios where the detectors were located outside of the prostate volume. The analysis showed a detection probability that, in most cases, is far from the random detection threshold. Errors of 1(2) mm can be detected in ranges of 5-25 (25-50) mm from the source, with a true detection probability rate higher than 80%, while the false probability rate is kept below 20%. CONCLUSIONS By combining two detector responses, we enabled the determination of the absolute source coordinates. The combination of the mPSD and the ISD in vivo dosimetry constitutes a promising alternative for real-time 3D source tracking in HDR brachytherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jacob G Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Kari Tanderup
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Luc Beaulieu
- CHU de Quebec-Université Laval, Quebec, Canada.,Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sam Beddar
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Jørgensen EB, Kertzscher G, Buus S, Bentzen L, Hokland SB, Rylander S, Tanderup K, Johansen JG. Accuracy of an in vivo dosimetry-based source tracking method for afterloading brachytherapy - A phantom study. Med Phys 2021; 48:2614-2623. [PMID: 33655555 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To report on the accuracy of an in vivo dosimetry (IVD)-based source tracking (ST) method for high dose rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy (BT). METHODS The ST was performed on a needle-by-needle basis. A least square fit of the expected to the measured dose rate was performed using the active dwell positions in the given needle. Two fitting parameters were used to determine the position of each needle relative to the IVD detector: radial (away or toward the detector) and longitudinal (along the axis of the treatment needle). The accuracy of the ST was assessed in a phantom where the geometries of five HDR prostate BT treatments previously treated at our clinic were reproduced. For each of the five treatment geometries, one irradiation was performed with the detector placed in the middle of the implant. Furthermore, four additional irradiations were performed for one of the geometries where the detector was retracted caudally in four steps of 10-15 mm and up to 12 mm inferior of the most inferior active dwell position, which represented the prostate apex. The time resolved dose measurements were retrieved at a rate of 20 Hz using a detector based on an Al2 O3 :C radioluminescence crystal, which was placed inside a standard BT needle. Individual calibrations of the detector were performed prior to each of the nine irradiations. RESULTS Source tracking could be applied in all needles across all nine irradiations. For irradiations with the detector located in the middle region of the implant (a total of 89 needles), the mean ± standard deviation (SD, k = 1) accuracy was -0.01 mm ± 0.38 mm and 0.30 mm ± 0.38 mm in the radial and longitudinal directions, respectively. Caudal retraction of the detector did not lead to reduced accuracy as long as the detector was located superior to the most inferior active dwell positions in all needles. However, reduced accuracy was observed for detector positions inferior to the most inferior active dwell positions which corresponded to detector positions in and inferior to the prostate apex region. Detector positions in the prostate apex and 12 mm inferior to the prostate resulted in mean ± SD (k = 1) ST accuracy of 0.7 mm ± 1 mm and 2.8 mm ± 1.6 mm, respectively, in radial direction, and -1.7 mm ± 1 mm and -2.1 mm ± 1.1 mm, respectively, in longitudinal direction. The largest deviations for the configurations with those detector positions were 2.6 and 5.4 mm, respectively, in the radial direction and -3.5 and -3.8 mm, respectively, in the longitudinal direction. CONCLUSION This phantom study demonstrates that ST based on IVD during prostate BT is adequately accurate for clinical use. The ST yields submillimeter accuracy on needle positions as long as the IVD detector is positioned superior to at least one active dwell position in all needles. Locations of the detector inferior to the prostate apex result in decreased ST accuracy while detector locations in the apex region and above are advantageous for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik B Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Simon Buus
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lise Bentzen
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Susanne Rylander
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kari Tanderup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jacob G Johansen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Debnath SBC, Ferre M, Tonneau D, Fauquet C, Tallet A, Goncalves A, Darreon J. High resolution small-scale inorganic scintillator detector: HDR brachytherapy application. Med Phys 2021; 48:1485-1496. [PMID: 33476399 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Brachytherapy (BT) deals with high gradient internal dose irradiation made up of a complex system where the source is placed nearby the tumor to destroy cancerous cells. A primary concern of clinical safety in BT is quality assurance to ensure the best matches between the delivered and prescribed doses targeting small volume tumors and sparing surrounding healthy tissues. Hence, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of a point size inorganic scintillator detector (ISD) in terms of high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) treatment. METHODS A prototype of the dose verification system has been developed based on scintillating dosimetry to measure a high dose rate while using an 192 Ir BT source. The associated dose rate is measured in photons/s employing a highly sensitive photon counter (design data: 20 photons/s). Dose measurement was performed as a function of source-to-detector distance according to TG43U1 recommendations. Overall measurements were carried out inside water phantoms keeping the ISD along the BT needle; a minimum of 0.1 cm distance was maintained between each measurement point. The planned dwell times were measured accurately from the difference of two adjacent times of transit. The ISD system performances were also evaluated in terms of dose linearity, energy dependency, scintillation stability, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and signal-to-background ratio (SBR). Finally, a comparison was presented between the ISD measurements and results obtained from TG43 reference dataset. RESULTS The detection efficiency of the ISD was verified by measuring the planned dwell times at different dwell positions. Measurements demonstrated that the ISD has a perfectly linear behavior with dose rate (R2 = 1) and shows high SNR (>35) and SBR (>36) values even at the lowest dose rate investigated at around 10 cm from the source. Standard deviation (1σ) remains within 0.03% of signal magnitude, and less than 0.01% STEM signal was monitored at 0.1 cm source-to-detector distance. Stability of 0.54% is achieved, and afterglow stays less than 1% of the total signal in all the irradiations. Excellent symmetrical behavior of the dose rate regarding source position was observed at different radiation planes. Finally, a comparison with TG-43 reference dataset shows that corrected measurements agreed with simulation data within 1.2% and 1.3%, and valid for the source-to-detector distance greater than 0.25 cm. CONCLUSION The proposed ISD in this study anticipated that the system could be promoted to validate with further clinical investigations. It allows an appropriate dose verification with dwell time estimation during source tracking and suitable dose measurement with a high spatial resolution both nearby (high dose gradient) and far (low dose gradient) from the source position.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Didier Tonneau
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CINaM UMR 7325, Marseille, 13288, France
| | - Carole Fauquet
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, CINaM UMR 7325, Marseille, 13288, France
| | - Agnes Tallet
- Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, 13009, France
| | - Anthony Goncalves
- Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille, 13009, France.,Aix Marseille Université, CNRS UMR 7258, INSERM UMR 1068, CRCM, Marseille, 13009, France
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Soror T, Siebert FA, Lancellotta V, Placidi E, Fionda B, Tagliaferri L, Kovács G. Quality Assurance in Modern Gynecological HDR-Brachytherapy (Interventional Radiotherapy): Clinical Considerations and Comments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040912. [PMID: 33671552 PMCID: PMC7927078 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This is a focused review discussing quality assurance during interventional brachytherapy in gynecological cancers. This topic is very large and is usually addressed from the technical and physical sides, therefore, we decided to select “hot-spots” under this large title and discuss them from the point of view of clinicians. We hope that this concise and focused review will help clinicians in improving their quality assurance protocols and draw attention to the discussed issues. Abstract The use of brachytherapy (interventional radiotherapy) in the treatment of gynecological cancers is a crucial element in both definitive and adjuvant settings. The recent developments in high-dose rate remote afterloaders, modern applicators, treatment-planning software, image guidance, and dose monitoring systems have led to improvement in the local control rates and in some cases improved the survival rates. The development of these highly advanced and complicated treatment modalities has been accompanied by challenges, which have made the existence of quality assurance protocols a must to ensure the integrity of the treatment process. Quality assurance aims at standardizing the technical and clinical procedures involved in the treatment of patients, which could eventually decrease the source of uncertainties whether technical (source/equipment related) or clinical. This commentary review sheds light (from a clinical point of view) on some potential sources of uncertainties associated with the use of modern brachytherapy in the treatment of gynecological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer Soror
- Radiation Oncology Department, University of Lübeck/UKSH-CL, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
- Radiation Oncology Department, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University, Cairo 11796, Egypt
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-176-2369-5626
| | - Frank-André Siebert
- Clinic of Radiotherapy, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, 24105 Campus Kiel, Germany;
| | - Valentina Lancellotta
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.L.); (E.P.); (B.F.); (L.T.)
| | - Elisa Placidi
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.L.); (E.P.); (B.F.); (L.T.)
| | - Bruno Fionda
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.L.); (E.P.); (B.F.); (L.T.)
| | - Luca Tagliaferri
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy; (V.L.); (E.P.); (B.F.); (L.T.)
| | - György Kovács
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Radioterapia Oncologica, Gemelli-INTERACTS, 00168 Roma, Italy;
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Yukihara EG, Kron T. APPLICATIONS OF OPTICALLY STIMULATED LUMINESCENCE IN MEDICAL DOSIMETRY. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 192:122-138. [PMID: 33412585 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
If the first decade of the new millennium saw the establishment of a more solid foundation for the use of the Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) in medical dosimetry, the second decade saw the technique take root and become more widely used in clinical studies. Recent publications report not only characterization and feasibility studies of the OSL technique for various applications in radiotherapy and radiology, but also the practical use of OSL for postal audits, estimation of staff dose, in vivo dosimetry, dose verification and dose mapping studies. This review complements previous review papers and reports on the topic, providing a panorama of the new advances and applications in the last decade. Attention is also dedicated to potential future applications, such as LET dosimetry, 2D/3D dosimetry using OSL, dosimetry in magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiotherapy (MRIgRT) and dosimetry of extremely high dose rates (FLASH therapy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo G Yukihara
- Department of Radiation Safety and Security, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5200 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Tomas Kron
- Department of Physical Sciences, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 3000 Melbourne, Australia
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Dose assessment in high dose rate brachytherapy with cobalt-60 source for cervical cancer treatment: a phantom study. POLISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/pjmpe-2020-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Transition from low dose rate brachytherapy to high dose rate brachytherapy at our department necessitated the performance of dose verification test, which served as an end-to-end quality assurance procedure to verify and validate dose delivery in intracavitary brachytherapy of the cervix and the vaginal walls based on the Manchester system. An in-house water phantom was designed and constructed from Perspex sheets to represent the cervix region of a standard adult patient. The phantom was used to verify the whole dose delivery chain such as calibration of the cobalt-60 source in use, applicator, and source localization method, the output of treatment planning with dedicated treatment planning system, and actual dose delivery process. Since the above factors would influence the final dose delivered, doses were measured with calibrated gafchromic EBT3 films at various points within the in-house phantom for a number of clinical implants that were used to treat a patient based on departmental protocol. The measured doses were compared to those of the treatment planning system. The discrepancies between measured doses and their corresponding calculated doses obtained with the treatment planning system ranged from -29.67 to 40.34% (mean of ±13.27%). These compared similarly to other studies.
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40
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Ding L, Wu Q, Wang Q, Li Y, Perks RM, Zhao L. Advances on inorganic scintillator-based optic fiber dosimeters. EJNMMI Phys 2020; 7:60. [PMID: 33025267 PMCID: PMC7538482 DOI: 10.1186/s40658-020-00327-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This article presents a new perspective on the development of inorganic scintillator-based fiber dosimeters (IOSFDs) for medical radiotherapy dosimetry (RTD) focusing on real-time in vivo dosimetry. The scintillator-based optical fiber dosimeters (SFD) are compact, free of electromagnetic interference, radiation-resistant, and robust. They have shown great potential for real-time in vivo RTD. Compared with organic scintillators (OSs), inorganic scintillators (IOSs) have larger X-ray absorption and higher light output. Variable IOSs with maximum emission peaks in the red part of the spectrum offer convenient stem effect removal. This article outlines the main advantages and disadvantages of utilizing IOSs for SFD fabrication. IOSFDs with different configurations are presented, and their use for dosimetry in X-ray RT, brachytherapy (BT), proton therapy (PT), and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is reviewed. Challenges including the percentage depth dose (PDD) deviation from the standard ion chamber (IC) measurement, the angular dependence, and the Cherenkov effect are discussed in detail; methods to overcome these problems are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Ding
- School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Qiong Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, General Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yamei Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Baoshan Luodian Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Institute for Translational Medicine Research, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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Towards real time in-vivo rectal dosimetry during trans-rectal ultrasound based high dose rate prostate brachytherapy using MOSkin dosimeters. Radiother Oncol 2020; 151:273-279. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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42
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Fonseca GP, Johansen JG, Smith RL, Beaulieu L, Beddar S, Kertzscher G, Verhaegen F, Tanderup K. In vivo dosimetry in brachytherapy: Requirements and future directions for research, development, and clinical practice. PHYSICS & IMAGING IN RADIATION ONCOLOGY 2020; 16:1-11. [PMID: 33458336 PMCID: PMC7807583 DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Brachytherapy can deliver high doses to the target while sparing healthy tissues due to its steep dose gradient leading to excellent clinical outcome. Treatment accuracy depends on several manual steps making brachytherapy susceptible to operational mistakes. Currently, treatment delivery verification is not routinely available and has led, in some cases, to systematic errors going unnoticed for years. The brachytherapy community promoted developments in in vivo dosimetry (IVD) through research groups and small companies. Although very few of the systems have been used clinically, it was demonstrated that the likelihood of detecting deviations from the treatment plan increases significantly with time-resolved methods. Time–resolved methods could interrupt a treatment avoiding gross errors which is not possible with time-integrated dosimetry. In addition, lower experimental uncertainties can be achieved by using source-tracking instead of direct dose measurements. However, the detector position in relation to the patient anatomy remains a main source of uncertainty. The next steps towards clinical implementation will require clinical trials and systematic reporting of errors and near-misses. It is of utmost importance for each IVD system that its sensitivity to different types of errors is well understood, so that end-users can select the most suitable method for their needs. This report aims to formulate requirements for the stakeholders (clinics, vendors, and researchers) to facilitate increased clinical use of IVD in brachytherapy. The report focuses on high dose-rate IVD in brachytherapy providing an overview and outlining the need for further development and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel P Fonseca
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, Doctor Tanslaan 12, 6229 ET Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jacob G Johansen
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ryan L Smith
- Alfred Health Radiation Oncology, Alfred Health, 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Luc Beaulieu
- Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Optics and Cancer Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Research Center of CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Sam Beddar
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1420, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Gustavo Kertzscher
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Frank Verhaegen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, Doctor Tanslaan 12, 6229 ET Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Kari Tanderup
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
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Error detection thresholds for routine real time in vivo dosimetry in HDR prostate brachytherapy. Radiother Oncol 2020; 149:38-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2020.04.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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44
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Woulfe P, Sullivan FJ, Kam W, O’Keeffe S. Optical fiber dosimeter for real-time in-vivo dose monitoring during LDR brachytherapy. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2020; 11:4027-4036. [PMID: 33014583 PMCID: PMC7510901 DOI: 10.1364/boe.385610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
An optical fiber sensor for monitoring low dose radiation is presented. The sensor, based on radiation sensitive scintillation material, terbium doped gadolinium oxysulphide (Gd2O2S:Tb), is embedded in a cavity of 700µm diameter within a 1mm plastic optical fiber. The sensor is compared with the treatment planning system for repeatability, angular dependency, distance and accumulated radiation activity. The sensor demonstrates a high sensitivity of 152 photon counts/Gy with a temporal resolution of 0.1 seconds, with the largest repeatability error of 4.1%, to 0.361mCi of Iodine-125 the radioactive source most commonly used in LDR brachytherapy for treating prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Woulfe
- Optical Fiber Sensors Research Centre, University of Limerick, Ireland
- Dept. of Radiotherapy Physics, Galway Clinic, Ireland
| | - F. J. Sullivan
- Prostate Cancer Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
- Department of Radiotherapy, Galway Clinic, Ireland
| | - W. Kam
- Optical Fiber Sensors Research Centre, University of Limerick, Ireland
| | - S. O’Keeffe
- Optical Fiber Sensors Research Centre, University of Limerick, Ireland
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45
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Linares Rosales HM, Archambault L, Beddar S, Beaulieu L. Dosimetric performance of a multipoint plastic scintillator dosimeter as a tool for real‐time source tracking in high dose rate Ir brachytherapy. Med Phys 2020; 47:4477-4490. [DOI: 10.1002/mp.14246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Haydee M. Linares Rosales
- Département de physique de génie physique et d’optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer Université Laval Québec Canada
- Département de radio‐oncologie et Axe Oncologie du CRCHU de Québec CHU de Québec ‐ Université Laval Québec QC Canada
| | - Louis Archambault
- Département de physique de génie physique et d’optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer Université Laval Québec Canada
- Département de radio‐oncologie et Axe Oncologie du CRCHU de Québec CHU de Québec ‐ Université Laval Québec QC Canada
| | - Sam Beddar
- Department of Radiation Physics The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston TX USA
- The University of Texas MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Houston TX USA
| | - Luc Beaulieu
- Département de physique de génie physique et d’optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer Université Laval Québec Canada
- Département de radio‐oncologie et Axe Oncologie du CRCHU de Québec CHU de Québec ‐ Université Laval Québec QC Canada
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Ruiz-Arrebola S, Fabregat-Borrás R, Rodríguez E, Fernández-Montes M, Pérez-Macho M, Ferri M, García A, Cardenal J, Pacheco MT, Anchuelo J, Tornero-López AM, Prada PJ, Guirado D. Characterization of microMOSFET detectors for in vivo dosimetry in high-dose-rate brachytherapy with 192 Ir. Med Phys 2020; 47:2242-2253. [PMID: 32031263 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to characterize the Best Medical Canada microMOSFET detectors for their application in in vivo dosimetry for high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDRBT) with 192 Ir. We also developed a mathematical model to correct dependencies under the measurement conditions of these detectors. METHODS We analyzed the linearity, reproducibility, and interdetector variability and studied the microMOSFET response dependence on temperature, source-detector distance, and angular orientation of the receptor with respect to the source. The correction model was applied to 19 measurements corresponding to five simulated treatments in a custom phantom specifically designed for this purpose. RESULTS The detectors (high bias applied in all measurements) showed excellent linearity up to 160 Gy. The response dependence on source-detector distance varied by (8.65 ± 0.06)% (k = 1) for distances between 1 and 7 cm, and the variation with temperature was (2.24 ± 0.05)% (k = 1) between 294 and 310 K. The response difference due to angular dependence can reach (10.3 ± 1.3)% (k = 1). For the set of measurements analyzed, regarding angular dependences, the mean difference between administered and measured doses was -4.17% (standard deviation of 3.4%); after application of the proposed correction model, the mean difference was -0.1% (standard deviation of 2.2%). For the treatments analyzed, the average difference between calculations and measures was 4.7% when only the calibration coefficient was used, but it is reduced to 0.9% when the correction model is applied. CONCLUSION Important response dependencies of microMOSFET detectors used for in vivo dosimetry in HDRBT treatments, especially the angular dependence, can be adequately characterized by a correction model that increases the accuracy of this system in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ruiz-Arrebola
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Rosa Fabregat-Borrás
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Eduardo Rodríguez
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Manuel Fernández-Montes
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Mercedes Pérez-Macho
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - María Ferri
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Ana García
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Juan Cardenal
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - María T Pacheco
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Javier Anchuelo
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Ana M Tornero-López
- Servicio de Radiofísica y Protección Radiológica, Hospital Universitario Dr. Negrín, Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Pedro J Prada
- Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiophysics, Santander, Spain
| | - Damián Guirado
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), Hospital Clínico Universitario San Cecilio, Unidad de Radiofísica, Granada, Spain.,CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Granada, Spain
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Jamalludin Z, Jong W, Malik R, Rosenfeld A, Ung N. Evaluation of rectal dose discrepancies between planned and in vivo dosimetry using MOSkin detector and PTW 9112 semiconductor probe during 60Co HDR CT-based intracavitary cervix brachytherapy. Phys Med 2020; 69:52-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2019.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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The impact of rectal/bladder filling and applicator positioning on in vivo rectal dosimetry in vaginal cuff brachytherapy using an enhanced therapy setting. Brachytherapy 2019; 19:168-175. [PMID: 31883803 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The impact of rectal filling and bladder volume on in vivo rectal dosimetry (IVD) in vaginal cuff brachytherapy (VCBT) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare rectal doses from IVD with those calculated from treatment planning and to identify influencing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS We collected data of 80 VCBT sessions, four for each of 20 patients. Each was retrospectively compared with doses determined by the treatment planning system. Factors potentially predicting the IVD rectum dose were analyzed. RESULTS For a series of 80 brachytherapy applications, the calculated mean dose to the rectum was 2.52 Gy. The mean difference between all calculated and measured doses for the 80 applications with five probe positions each was 0.09 Gy (p = 0.952) proving high overall accordance between IVD and calculated doses at the rectum. The mean volume of the rectum was 119 ± 57 cm³. The rectal volume was not statistically significantly associated with the IVD or the calculated rectum doses. At the third and fourth rectal probe position in craniocaudal ordering, increased filling of the urinary bladder resulted in decreased measured and calculated doses (p < 0.05 for both). A rectum pointing position of the applicator significantly increased the maximum rectum dose compared with a bladder-oriented position (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS IVD provided valuable data for rectal exposure in VCBT. Increased bladder filling and vaginal applicator positioning off the rectum elicited related with less rectal radiation exposure, whereas rectal filling did not. Further confirmation including assessment of IVD in bladder is pending to define optimal dosimetric conditions in VCBT.
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Masitho S, Kallis K, Strnad V, Fietkau R, Bert C. Error detection using an electromagnetic tracking system in multi-catheter breast interstitial brachytherapy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 64:205018. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab4336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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50
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Kallis K, Abu-Hossin N, Kreppner S, Lotter M, Strnad V, Fietkau R, Bert C. Estimation of inter-fractional variations in interstitial multi-catheter breast brachytherapy using a hybrid treatment delivery system. Radiother Oncol 2019; 141:312-320. [PMID: 31495517 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2019.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Irradiation of the tumor bed using interstitial multi-catheter brachytherapy is one of the treatment options for breast cancer patients. In order to ensure the planned dose delivery an advanced quality intervention method using an electromagnetic tracking (EMT) system is presented. The system is used to assess inter-fractional variations within the framework of a patient study. METHODS AND MATERIALS Until now 41 patients were included in the study for the evaluation and overall 355 EMT measurements were performed. The catheter traces are measured automatically and sequentially using an afterloader prototype (Flexitron, Elekta, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) equipped with an EMT sensor. The implant geometry is tracked directly after implantation, after CT imaging and after each irradiation fraction. The acquired data is rigidly registered to the catheter traces defined in the treatment plan and the dwell positions (DP) are reconstructed. DPs defined in treatment planning serve as reference. Breathing motion was corrected and recorded using three reference 6DoF sensors placed on the patients' skin. The Euclidean distance between the planned and reconstructed DPs provides information about possible inter-fractional deviations. Further, the influence of various factors on the occurrence of large deviations was investigated, like the patients' age, the length of the catheter, the breast volume, etc. RESULTS: Over all patient measurements a median Euclidean distance of 2.19 mm was determined between the reconstructed DPs and the reference DPs. The median deviation combining all datasets was minimal (1.67 mm) at the measurement directly after CT imaging. The deviations between the different fractions have a median distance of 2.31 mm which could be improved to 2.05 mm by adapting the treatment plan according to the follow-up CT. No correlation between the distance to the skin, ribs, mammilla or the breast volume and the occurrences of large deviations was found. The largest deviations were determined in the upper inner quadrant of the breast. CONCLUSION The afterloader prototype could be well integrated into the clinical routine and is beneficial for ensuring the quality of the brachytherapy. Overall, a small median DP deviation, lower than the used step size of 2.5 mm, was detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline Kallis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Nadin Abu-Hossin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephan Kreppner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Lotter
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vratislav Strnad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fietkau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Bert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
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