E. Casal

Monte Carlo dosimetric characterization of the Cs-137 selectron/LDR source: evaluation of applicator attenuation and superposition approximation effects.

The purpose of this study is to calculate the dose rate distribution for the Amersham Cs-137 pellet source used in brachytherapy with the Selectron low-dose-rate remote afterloading system in gynaecological applications using the Monte Carlo code GEANT4. The absolute dose rate distribution for the pellet source was obtained and presented as a one-dimensional absolute dose rate table as well as in the Task Group 43 dose-calculation formalism. In this study, excellent agreement was found between the point source theoretical model using fitted polynomial values and Monte Carlo calculations of the dose rate distribution for the pellet source. A comparison study was also made between the dose rate distribution obtained from a complete Monte Carlo simulation (Cs-137 pellet sources + remote afterloading system plastic guide tube + gynaecological applicator) and that calculated by applying the superposition principle to Monte Carlo data of the individual pellet sources. The data were obtained for a portion of uterine tandem of typical train source configurations. Significant differences with a strong dependence on polar angle have been found that must be kept in mind for clinical dosimetry.

Technical note: Monte-Carlo dosimetry of the HDR 12i and Plus 192Ir sources

In this study a complete set of dosimetric data for the GammaMed high dose rate (HDR) 12i and Plus 192Ir sources are presented. These data have been calculated by means of the Monte Carlo simulation code GEANT3. Absolute dose rate distributions in water are presented as conventional two dimensional (2D) Cartesian look-up tables, and in the TG43 formalism.

Monte Carlo dosimetric study of Best Industries and Alpha Omega Ir-192 brachytherapy seeds

Ir-192 seeds are widely used in the USA for low dose rate interstitial brachytherapy. There are two commercially available models: those manufactured by Best Industries filtered with stainless steel, and those manufactured by Alpha-Omega seeds filtered with Pt. Newly developed 3D correction algorithms for brachytherapy are based on dosimetry data obtained on unbounded phantom size, allowing corrections for heterogeneities and actual tissue boundaries. Published dosimetric datasets for both seeds have been obtained under bounded conditions. The aim of the present study is to obtain dosimetric datasets for these seeds under full scatter conditions. The Monte Carlo GEANT4 code has been used to estimate air-kerma strength and dose rate in water around the Ir-192 seeds. Functions and parameters following the TG43 formalism are obtained and presented in tabular forms: the dose rate constant, the radial dose function, and the anisotropy function. Tables for the anisotropy factor have been obtained in order to apply punctual approximation. Differences between dose rate distributions for both seeds show that specific dataset must be used for each type of seed in clinical dosimetry. The data in the present study improve on published data in the following aspects: (i) dosimetric data were obtained under full scatter conditions, which affect dose values at distances greater than 4-5 cm from the source; (ii) the dose rate tables are given at greater distances from the source; and (iii) the spatial resolution in high dose gradient areas, such as those near the longitudinal source axis, has been improved.

Design and evaluation of a HDR skin applicator with flattening filter

The purposes of this study are: (i) to design field flattening filters for the Leipzig applicators of 2 and 3 cm of inner diameter with the source traveling parallel to the applicator contact surface, which are accessories of the microSelectron-HDR afterloader (Nucletron, Veenendaal, The Netherlands). These filters, made of tungsten, aim to flatten the heterogeneous dose distribution obtained with the Leipzig applicators. (ii) To estimate the dose rate distributions for these Leipzig+filter applicators by means of the Monte Carlo (MC) method. (iii) To experimentally verify these distributions for prototypes of these new applicators, and (iv) to obtain the correspondence factors to measure the output of the applicators by the user using an insert into a well chamber. The MC GEANT4 code has been used to design the filters and to obtain the dose rate distributions in liquid water for the two Leipzig+filter applicators. In order to validate this specific application and to guarantee that realistic source-applicator geometry has been considered, an experimental verification procedure was implemented in this study, in accordance with the updated recommendations of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group No. 43 U1 Report. Thermoluminescent dosimeters, radiochromic film, and a pin-point ionization chamber in a plastic [polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)] phantom were used to verify the MC results for the two applicators of a microSelectron-HDR afterloader with the mHDR-v2 source. To verify the output of the Leipzig +filter applicators, correspondence factors were deduced for the well chambers HDR100-plus (Standard Imaging, Inc., Middleton, WI) and TM33004 (PTW, Freiburg, Germany) using a specific insert for both applicators. The doses measured in the PMMA phantom agree within experimental uncertainties with the dose obtained by the MC calculations. Percentage depth dose and off-axis profiles were obtained normalized at a depth of 3 mm along the central applicator axis in a cylindrical 20 x 20 cm water phantom. A table of output factors, normalized to 1 U of source air kerma strength at this depth, is presented. Correspondence factors were obtained for the two well chambers considered. The matrix data obtained in the MC simulation with a grid separation of 0.5 mm has been used to build a data set in a convenient format to model these distributions for routine use with a brachytherapy treatment planning system.

A dosimetric study on the Ir-192 high dose rate Flexisource

In this work, the dose rate distribution of a new Ir-192 high dose rate source (Flexisource used in the afterloading Flexitron system, Isodose Control, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) is studied by means of Monte Carlo techniques using the GEANT4 code. The dosimetric parameters of the Task Group No. 43 Report (TG43) formalism and two-dimensional rectangular look-up tables have been obtained.

Monte Carlo dosimetric study of the BEBIG Co-60 HDR source

Although not as widespread as Ir-192, Co-60 is also available on afterloading equipment devoted to high dose rate brachytherapy, mainly addressed to the treatment of gynaecological lesions. The purpose of this study is to obtain the dosimetric parameters of the Co-60 source used by the BEBIG MultiSource remote afterloader (BEBIG GmbH, Germany) for which there are no dosimetric data available in the literature. The Monte Carlo code GEANT4 has been used to obtain the TG43 parameters and the 2D dose rate table in Cartesian coordinates of the BEBIG Co-60 HDR source. The dose rate constant, radial dose function and anisotropy function have been calculated and are presented in a tabular form as well as a detailed 2D dose rate table in Cartesian coordinates. These dosimetric datasets can be used as input data and to validate the treatment planning system calculations.

Monte Carlo calculations of dose rate distributions around the Amersham CDCS-M-type 137Cs source

The Amersham CDCS-M-type 137Cs stainless-steel encapsulated source is widely used in low dose rate brachytherapy with manual afterloading. However there is a need for more accurate dosimetry data. In this study we present Monte Carlo calculations of absolute dose rate in water around this source using the Monte Carlo code GEANT, discuss dosimetric features of these data, and compare them with Krishnaswamys results for 137Cs intracavitary sources. Dose rate distributions are presented in the form of along-away tables and in the TG43 formalism. Simulated absolute dose rate values can be used as benchmark data to verify the treatment planning system calculation results or directly as input data for treatment planning. Best-fit values of attenuation coefficients suitable for use in Sievert integral type calculations have been derived comparing dose rate distributions calculated using this algorithm with those obtained from Monte Carlo calculations.

Dosimetric study of the 15 mm ROPES eye plaque

The main aim of this paper is to make a study of dose-rate distributions obtained around the 15 mm, radiation oncology physics and engineering services, Australia (ROPES) eye plaque loaded with 125I model 6711 radioactive seeds. In this study, we have carried out a comparison of the dose-rate distributions obtained by the algorithm used by the Plaque Simulator (PS) (BEBIG GmbH, Berlin, Germany) treatment planning system with those obtained by means of the Monte Carlo method for the ROPES eye plaque. A simple method to obtain the dose-rate distributions in a treatment planning system via the superposition of the dose-rate distributions of a seed placed in the eye plaque has been developed. The method uses eye plaque located in a simplified geometry of the head anatomy and distributions obtained by means of the Monte Carlo code GEANT4. The favorable results obtained in the development of this method suggest that it could be implemented on a treatment planning system to improve dose-rate calculations. We have also found that the dose-rate falls sharply along the eye and that outside the eye the dose-rate is very low. Furthermore, the lack of backscatter photons from the air located outside the eye-head phantom produces a dose reduction negligible for distances from the eye-plaque r<1 cm but reaches up to 20% near the air-eye interface. Results showed that the treatment planning system lacks accuracy around the border of the eye (in the sclera and the surrounding area) due to the simplicity of the algorithm used. The BEBIG treatment planning system uses a global attenuation factor that takes into account the effect of the eye plaque seed carrier and the lack of backscatter photons caused by the metallic cover, which in the case of a ROPES eye plaque has a default value of T= 1 (no correction). In the present study, a global attenuation factor T=0.96 and an air-interface correction factor which improve on treatment planning system calculations were obtained.

Monte Carlo and experimental derivation of TG43 dosimetric parameters for CSM‐type Cs‐137 sources

In this study, complete dosimetric datasets for the CSM2 and CSM3 Cs-137 sources were obtained using the Monte Carlo GEANT4 code. The application of this calculation method was experimentally validated with thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD). Functions and parameters following the TG43 formalism are presented: the dose rate constant, the radial dose functional, and the anisotropy function. In addition, to aid the quality control process on treatment planning systems, a two-dimensional (2D) rectangular dose rate table (the traditional along-away table), coherent with the TG43 dose calculation formalism, is given. The data given in this study complement existing information for both sources on the following aspects: (i) the source asymmetries were considered explicitly in the Monte Carlo calculations, (ii) TG43 data were derived directly from Monte Carlo calculations, (iii) the radial range of the different tables was increased as well as the angular resolution in the anisotropy function, including angles close to the longitudinal source axis. The CSM2 source TG-43 data of Liu et al. [Med. Phys. 31, 477-483 (2004)] are not consistent with the Williamson 2D along-away data [Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol., Phys. 15, 227-237 (1988)] at distances closer than approximately 2 cm from the source. The data presented here for this source are consistent with this 2D along-away table, and are suitable for use in clinical practice.

Monte Carlo dosimetry of the Buchler high dose rate 192Ir source

In this study a complete set of dosimetric data is presented for the high dose rate (HDR) source from Amersham used in the Buchler remote afterloading HDR unit. These data have been calculated by means of the Monte Carlo simulation code GEANT taking into account the detailed geometry of the source. Absolute dose rate distributions in water were calculated around this source and are presented as conventional 2D Cartesian look-up tables. All dosimetric quantities recommended by the AAPM Task Group 43 report have been calculated. Quantities determined are: dose rate constant, radial dose function, anisotropy function, anisotropy factor and anisotropy constant. The dose rate distributions of the Buchler HDR source are compared with those of other HDR sources used in brachytherapy, showing that the differences are large in zones near the long source axis due to oblique filtration. These Monte Carlo simulated data in water can be used for clinical applications.