Wayne N. LaJoie

Radiation exposure to operating room personnel during transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy

PURPOSE To identify factors associated with radiation exposure (RE) to operating room personnel during transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy (TIPPB). METHODS AND MATERIALS Between May 1998 and December 2000, 155 patients underwent TIPPB with fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance. Data for each case included: operating room time (OT), anesthesia time (AT), fluoroscopy time (FT), number and type of seed implanted, total seed activity, and resident participation. RESULTS Personnel RE per case, FT, OT, and AT decreased as case number increased. Whole body badge dose per case decreased from a mean of 0.15+/-0.01 mSv (15+/-1 mrem) in 1998 to 0.074+/-0.011 mSv (7+/-1 mrem) in 2000. Average FT per case decreased from a mean of 17:27 min (range, 10:40-28:23) in 1998 to 12:08 min (range, 6:40-31:00) in 2000. Resident participation was associated with increased FT. Mean whole body and ring badge doses for the treating radiation oncologist were 0.0076 mSv/min (0.76 mrem/min) and 0.05 mSv/min (5.26 mrem/min) of FT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS FT was the predominant factor that related to RE during TIPPB. Treating radiation oncologists were exposed to less than 20 mSv per 100 cases, significantly less than other fluoroscopically guided procedures. Nonetheless, appropriate radiation exposure precautions during TIPPB should continue.

A buccal mucosa carcinoma treated with high dose rate brachytherapy.

This manuscript presents a case of early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the left buccal mucosa treated with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) followed by a high‐dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy boost. With limited literature available on HDR mold (stent) radiotherapy for oral cancer, a discussion on the issues encountered during treatment planning and delivery may prove to be insightful for facilities faced with a similar challenge. PACS numbers: 87.53.Jw, 87.53.Tf, 87.59.Ci, 87.59.Fm

Brachytherapy Seed Localization from Fluoroscopic Images Using a Statistical Classifier

A method to determine the number and location of seed images in clusters on a fluoroscopic image was developed based on a statistical analysis of cluster size in simulated fluoroscopic images. A modified 3-film technique was used to reconstruct the 3D positions of seeds from their image locations. Preliminary results suggest that this new method can identify all the seeds and localize them to an average precision of 0.55 mm. This is an important step toward intraoperative radiation dose analysis.