Andre Asena

PAGAT gel dosimeters for dose distribution measurements in the vicinity of high-density implants: A preliminary study

This work examined the suitability of the PAGAT gel dosimeter for use in dose distribution measurements around high-density implants. An assessment of the gels reactivity with various metals was performed and no corrosive effects were observed. An artefact reduction technique was also investigated in order to minimise scattering of the laser light in the optical CT scans. The potential for attenuation and backscatter measurements using this gel dosimeter were examined for a temporary tissue expanders internal magnetic port.

Technical Note: Dose distributions in the vicinity of high‐density implants using 3D gel dosimeters

Purpose In this work, we develop a methodology for using Fricke gel dosimeters for dose distribution measurements surrounding high‐density implants which circumvents artifact production by removing the obstruction during imaging. Methods Custom 3D printed molds were used to set cavities in Fricke gel phantoms to allow for the suspension of high‐density implants in different geometries. This allowed for the metal valve extracted from a temporary tissue expander to be suspended during irradiation, and removed during optical‐CT scanning. Results The removal of the metal implant and subsequent backfilling of the remaining cavity with optically matched fluid prior to dose evaluation enables accurate optical‐CT scanning of the gel dosimeters. Results have shown very good agreement between measured and calculated doses within 2 mm from the surface of the implant. Slight deviations are present within 1 mm of the interface. Conclusions Artifacts in the form of radial streaking, cold spots, and hot spots were all reduced using this technique, enabling the broader and more accurate use of optical‐CT for the imaging of gels containing opaque objects.

Can a commercial gel dosimetry system be used to verify stereotactic spinal radiotherapy treatment dose distributions

This study investigated the use of the TruView xylenol-orange-based gel and VISTA optical CT scanner (both by Modus Medical Inc, London, Canada), for use in verifying the accuracy of planned dose distributions for hypo-fractionated (stereotactic) vertebral treatments. Gel measurements were carried out using three stereotactic vertebral treatments and compared with planned doses calculated using the Eclipse treatment planning system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, USA) as well as with film measurements made using Gafchromic EBT3 film (Ashland Inc, Covington, USA), to investigate the accuracy of the gel system. The gel was calibrated with reference to a moderate-dose gradient region in one of the gel samples. Generally, the gel measurements were able to approximate the close agreement between the doses calculated by the treatment planning system and the doses measured using film (which agreed with each other within 2%), despite lower resolution and bit depth. Poorer agreement was observed when the dose delivered to the gel exceeded the range of doses delivered in the calibration region. This commercial gel dosimetry system may be used to verify hypo-fractionated treatments of vertebral targets, although separate gel calibration measurements are recommended.

Reduction of artefacts caused by missing ray-sum data in optical-CT imaging of implants in gel dosimeters

This study demonstrates the degradation in image quality, and subsequent dose evaluation inaccuracies, that are encountered when an optical-CT system reconstructs an image slice of a gel dosimeter containing an opaque implant, and evaluates the feasibility of a simple correction method to improve the accuracy of radiotherapy dose distribution measurements under these circumstances. MATLAB was used to create a number of different virtual phantoms and treatment plans along with their synthetic projections and reconstructed data sets. The results have illustrated that accurately evaluating 3D gel dose distributions in the vicinity of high-Z interfaces is not possible using the filtered back projection method, without correction, as there are serious artefacts throughout the dose volume that are induced by the missing ray-sum data. Equivalent artefacts were present in physical measurements of irradiated PAGAT gel containers when read by an optical-CT system. An interpolation correction performed prior to reconstruction via the filtered back projection algorithm has been shown to significantly improve dose evaluation accuracy to within approximately 15 mm of the opacity. With careful placement of the implant within the gel sample, and use of the linear interpolation method described in this study, there is the potential for more accurate optical CT imaging of gels containing opaque objects.

Photon beam dose distributions for patients with implanted temporary tissue expanders

This study examines the effects of temporary tissue expanders (TTEs) on the dose distributions of photon beams in breast cancer radiotherapy treatments. EBT2 radiochromic film and ion chamber measurements were taken to quantify the attenuation and backscatter effects of the inhomogeneity. Results illustrate that the internal magnetic port present in a tissue expander causes a dose reduction of approximately 25% in photon tangent fields immediately downstream of the implant. It was also shown that the silicone elastomer shell of the tissue expander reduced the dose to the target volume by as much as 8%. This work demonstrates the importance for an accurately modelled high-density implant in the treatment planning system for post-mastectomy breast cancer patients.

SU‐E‐T‐391: Assessment and Elimination of the Angular Dependence of the Response of the NanoDot OSLD System in MV Beams

PURPOSE Assess the angular dependence of the nanoDot OSLD system in MV X-ray beams at depths and mitigate this dependence for measurements in phantoms. METHODS Measurements for 6 MV photons at 3 cm and 10 cm depth and Monte Carlo simulations were performed. Two special holders were designed which allow a nanoDot dosimeter to be rotated around the center of its sensitive volume (5 mm diameter disk). The first holder positions the dosimeter disk perpendicular to the beam (en-face). It then rotates until the disk is parallel with the beam (edge on). This is referred to as Setup 1. The second holder positions the disk parallel to the beam (edge on) for all angles (Setup 2). Monte Carlo simulations using GEANT4 considered detector and housing in detail based on microCT data. RESULTS An average drop in response by 1.4±0.7% (measurement) and 2.1±0.3% (Monte Carlo) for the 90° orientation compared to 0° was found for Setup 1. Monte Carlo simulations also showed a strong dependence of the effect on the composition of the sensitive layer. Assuming 100% active material (Al??O??) results in a 7% drop in response for 90° compared to 0°. Assuming the layer to be completely water, results in a flat response (within simulation uncertainty of about 1%). For Setup 2, measurements and Monte Carlo simulations found the angular dependence of the dosimeter to be below 1% and within the measurement uncertainty. CONCLUSION The nanoDot dosimeter system exhibits a small angular dependence off approximately 2%. Changing the orientation of the dosimeter so that a coplanar beam arrangement always hits the detector material edge on reduces the angular dependence to within the measurement uncertainty of about 1%. This makes the dosimeter more attractive for phantom based clinical measurements and audits with multiple coplanar beams. The Australian Clinical Dosimetry Service is a joint initiative between the Australian Department of Health and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.