Purpose: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of air gaps of 0 - 5.0 cm between bolus and skin for 1.0 cm Superflab bolus on surface dose (DSurf) and depth of maximum dose (dmax) in solid water a...Purpose: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of air gaps of 0 - 5.0 cm between bolus and skin for 1.0 cm Superflab bolus on surface dose (DSurf) and depth of maximum dose (dmax) in solid water and Rando? phantoms. Methods: In this work, the effects of bolus to surface distance on DSurf and variation in dmax were analyzed in a solid water phantom and in an anthropomorphic Rando? phantom for different field sizes, using Gafchromic? EBT films and farmer chamber. Results: For field sizes of 5 × 5 cm2 the DSurf is significantly affected by increasing air gaps greater than 5 mm. For field sizes larger than 10 × 10 cm2, DSurf is nearly the same for air gaps of 0 - 5.0 cm. For small fields and 6 MV photon beam, dmax increases with increasing air gap, while for 10 MV beam and smaller field sizes (i.e. 5 × 5 and 10 × 10 cm2) the dmax first decreases and then increases with the air gaps. For both 3DCRT and IMRT plans on Rando?, DSurf reduction is more prominent with increasing air gaps. Conclusion: For field sizes larger than 10 × 10 cm2 DSurf is largely unaffected by air gaps. However, smaller air gap results in shallower dmax for both 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams at all fields sizes. Special consideration should be taken to reduce air gaps between bolus and skin for field sizes smaller than 10 × 10 cm2 or when surface contour variations are greater or when the bolus covers small area and at the border of the field.展开更多
Ionizing radiation is extensively used in medicine and its contribution to both diagnosis and therapy is undisputable.However,the use of ionizing radiation also involves a certain risk since it may cause damage to tis...Ionizing radiation is extensively used in medicine and its contribution to both diagnosis and therapy is undisputable.However,the use of ionizing radiation also involves a certain risk since it may cause damage to tissues and organs and trigger carcinogenesis.Computed tomography(CT) is currently one of the major contributors to the collective population radiation dose both because it is a relatively high dose examination and an increasing number of people are subjected to CT examinations many times during their lifetime.The evolution of CT scanner technology has greatly increased the clinical applications of CT and its availability throughout the world and made it a routine rather than a specialized examination.With the modern multislice CT scanners,fast volume scanning of the whole human body within less than 1 min is now feasible.Two dimensional images of superb quality can be reconstructed in every possible plane with respect to the patient axis(e.g.axial,sagital and coronal).Furthermore,three-dimensional images of all anatomic structures and organs can be produced with only minimal additional effort(e.g.skeleton,tracheobronchial tree,gastrointestinal system and cardiovascular system).All these applications,which are diagnostically valuable,also involve a significant radiation risk.Therefore,all medical professionals involved with CT,either as referring or examining medical doctors must be aware of the risks involved before they decide to prescribe or perform CT examinations.Ultimately,the final decision concerning justification for a prescribed CT examination lies upon the radiologist.In this paper,we summarize the basic information concerning the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation,as well as the CT dosimetry background.Furthermore,after a brief summary of the evolution of CT scanning,the current CT scanner technology and its special features with respect to patient doses are given in detail.Some numerical data is also given in order to comprehend the magnitude of the potential radiation risk involved 展开更多
Thermoplastic immobilizing masks have dosimetric effects on the patient’s skin dose. The thermoplastic percentage depth dose (PDD), equivalent thickness of water for the masks and surface doses were determined. The s...Thermoplastic immobilizing masks have dosimetric effects on the patient’s skin dose. The thermoplastic percentage depth dose (PDD), equivalent thickness of water for the masks and surface doses were determined. The surface dose factors due to the thermoplastic mask was found to be 1.7949, 1.9456, 2.0563, 2.1967, 2.3827, 2.5459 and 2.6565 for field sizes of 5 × 5, 8 × 8, 10 × 10, 12 × 12, 15 × 15, 18 × 18 and 20 × 20 cm<sup>2</sup> respectively which shifted the percentage depth dose curve to lower values. The physical thermoplastic thickness was measured to be between 2.30 and 1.80 mm, and the equivalent thicknesses of water, d<sub>e</sub>, were determined to be between 1.2 and 1.00 mm. This meant that, as the mask thickness decreased, its water equivalent thickness also decreased. The presence of the mask material increased the skin dose to a factor of 1%. The thermoplastic mask factor was also found to be 0.99.展开更多
Background: Magnetic resonance image-guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT) promises more precise and effective radiation treatments compared to conventional IGRT by using real-time on-board MR imaging. Under the influenc...Background: Magnetic resonance image-guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT) promises more precise and effective radiation treatments compared to conventional IGRT by using real-time on-board MR imaging. Under the influence of a magnetic field, however, secondary electrons exiting a surface can be forced in a circular path and re-enter the medium, resulting in dose increase at a beam-exit surface, called the electron return effect (ERE). The purpose of the study is to compare the exit skin dose computed by Monte Carlo dose calculation with measurements using an adult anthropomorphic phantom and to measure the effect of skin dose reduction by adding 1 cm-thick bolus. Method: The plan was compared with measurements using an adult anthropomorphic phantom combined with radiochromic films and thermoluminescent dosimeters. We also measured the skin dose reduction by adding 1 cm-thick bolus on the frontal surface of the phantom. Results: We found that 1 cm-thick bolus reduced the skin dose by up to 20% both in measurements and calculations. The plan was found to overestimate the measured skin dose by about 10% and there was no significant difference in the bolus effect between the breast skin and the skin (without breast attachment) doses. Conclusion: In conclusion, we confirmed the ERE effect on the anthropomorphic phantom under the magnetic field and the exit skin dose reduction by adding a bolus. Skin dose measurements using anthropomorphic phantom may be helpful to evaluate more realistic skin dose and the bolus effect in the magnetic field.展开更多
文摘Purpose: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of air gaps of 0 - 5.0 cm between bolus and skin for 1.0 cm Superflab bolus on surface dose (DSurf) and depth of maximum dose (dmax) in solid water and Rando? phantoms. Methods: In this work, the effects of bolus to surface distance on DSurf and variation in dmax were analyzed in a solid water phantom and in an anthropomorphic Rando? phantom for different field sizes, using Gafchromic? EBT films and farmer chamber. Results: For field sizes of 5 × 5 cm2 the DSurf is significantly affected by increasing air gaps greater than 5 mm. For field sizes larger than 10 × 10 cm2, DSurf is nearly the same for air gaps of 0 - 5.0 cm. For small fields and 6 MV photon beam, dmax increases with increasing air gap, while for 10 MV beam and smaller field sizes (i.e. 5 × 5 and 10 × 10 cm2) the dmax first decreases and then increases with the air gaps. For both 3DCRT and IMRT plans on Rando?, DSurf reduction is more prominent with increasing air gaps. Conclusion: For field sizes larger than 10 × 10 cm2 DSurf is largely unaffected by air gaps. However, smaller air gap results in shallower dmax for both 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams at all fields sizes. Special consideration should be taken to reduce air gaps between bolus and skin for field sizes smaller than 10 × 10 cm2 or when surface contour variations are greater or when the bolus covers small area and at the border of the field.
文摘Ionizing radiation is extensively used in medicine and its contribution to both diagnosis and therapy is undisputable.However,the use of ionizing radiation also involves a certain risk since it may cause damage to tissues and organs and trigger carcinogenesis.Computed tomography(CT) is currently one of the major contributors to the collective population radiation dose both because it is a relatively high dose examination and an increasing number of people are subjected to CT examinations many times during their lifetime.The evolution of CT scanner technology has greatly increased the clinical applications of CT and its availability throughout the world and made it a routine rather than a specialized examination.With the modern multislice CT scanners,fast volume scanning of the whole human body within less than 1 min is now feasible.Two dimensional images of superb quality can be reconstructed in every possible plane with respect to the patient axis(e.g.axial,sagital and coronal).Furthermore,three-dimensional images of all anatomic structures and organs can be produced with only minimal additional effort(e.g.skeleton,tracheobronchial tree,gastrointestinal system and cardiovascular system).All these applications,which are diagnostically valuable,also involve a significant radiation risk.Therefore,all medical professionals involved with CT,either as referring or examining medical doctors must be aware of the risks involved before they decide to prescribe or perform CT examinations.Ultimately,the final decision concerning justification for a prescribed CT examination lies upon the radiologist.In this paper,we summarize the basic information concerning the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation,as well as the CT dosimetry background.Furthermore,after a brief summary of the evolution of CT scanning,the current CT scanner technology and its special features with respect to patient doses are given in detail.Some numerical data is also given in order to comprehend the magnitude of the potential radiation risk involved
文摘Thermoplastic immobilizing masks have dosimetric effects on the patient’s skin dose. The thermoplastic percentage depth dose (PDD), equivalent thickness of water for the masks and surface doses were determined. The surface dose factors due to the thermoplastic mask was found to be 1.7949, 1.9456, 2.0563, 2.1967, 2.3827, 2.5459 and 2.6565 for field sizes of 5 × 5, 8 × 8, 10 × 10, 12 × 12, 15 × 15, 18 × 18 and 20 × 20 cm<sup>2</sup> respectively which shifted the percentage depth dose curve to lower values. The physical thermoplastic thickness was measured to be between 2.30 and 1.80 mm, and the equivalent thicknesses of water, d<sub>e</sub>, were determined to be between 1.2 and 1.00 mm. This meant that, as the mask thickness decreased, its water equivalent thickness also decreased. The presence of the mask material increased the skin dose to a factor of 1%. The thermoplastic mask factor was also found to be 0.99.
文摘Background: Magnetic resonance image-guided radiation therapy (MR-IGRT) promises more precise and effective radiation treatments compared to conventional IGRT by using real-time on-board MR imaging. Under the influence of a magnetic field, however, secondary electrons exiting a surface can be forced in a circular path and re-enter the medium, resulting in dose increase at a beam-exit surface, called the electron return effect (ERE). The purpose of the study is to compare the exit skin dose computed by Monte Carlo dose calculation with measurements using an adult anthropomorphic phantom and to measure the effect of skin dose reduction by adding 1 cm-thick bolus. Method: The plan was compared with measurements using an adult anthropomorphic phantom combined with radiochromic films and thermoluminescent dosimeters. We also measured the skin dose reduction by adding 1 cm-thick bolus on the frontal surface of the phantom. Results: We found that 1 cm-thick bolus reduced the skin dose by up to 20% both in measurements and calculations. The plan was found to overestimate the measured skin dose by about 10% and there was no significant difference in the bolus effect between the breast skin and the skin (without breast attachment) doses. Conclusion: In conclusion, we confirmed the ERE effect on the anthropomorphic phantom under the magnetic field and the exit skin dose reduction by adding a bolus. Skin dose measurements using anthropomorphic phantom may be helpful to evaluate more realistic skin dose and the bolus effect in the magnetic field.
