Evaluating the use of anti-scatter grids in adult knee radiography

IntroductionAnti-scatter grids efficiently reduce scatter radiation from reaching the imaging receptor, enhancing image quality; however, the patient radiation dose increases in the process. There is disagreement regarding the thickness thresholds for which anti-scatter grids are beneficial. This study aims to establish a thickness threshold for the use of anti-scatter grids to optimise adult knee radiography.MethodsThe study consisted of two phases. In Phase 1 phantom knee radiographs were acquired at varying thicknesses (10–16 cm) and tube voltages (60–80 kV). For each thickness and tube voltage, images with and without an anti-scatter grid were obtained. In Phase 2, two radiologists and three radiographers, evaluated the image quality of these images. Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) scores were analysed using Visual Grading Characteristics (VGC) based on the visualisation of five anatomic criteria.ResultsThe average DAP decreased by 72.1% and mAs by 73.1% when removing the anti-scatter grid. The VGC revealed that overall images taken with an anti-scatter grid have better image quality (AUC ≥0.5 for all comparisons). However, the anti-scatter grids could be removed for thicknesses 10, 12 and 14 cm in conjunction with using 80 kVp,.ConclusionAnti-scatter grids can be removed when imaging adult knees between 10 and 12 cm using any kVp setting since the radiation dose is reduced without significantly affecting image quality. For thicknesses >12 cm, the use of anti-scatter grids significantly improves image quality; however, the radiation dose to the patient is increased. The exception is at 14 cm used with 80 kVp, where changes in image quality were insignificant.Implications for practiceOptimisation by removing anti-scatter grids in adult knee radiography seems beneficial below 12 cm thickness with any kVp value. Since the average knee thickness ranges between 10 and 13 cm, anti-scatter grid can be removed for most patients. Nevertheless, further studies are recommended to test if this phantom-based threshold applies to human subjects.     

Risk factors for neurocognitive decline in lung cancer patients treated with prophylactic cranial irradiation: A systematic review

BackgroundProphylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) reduces brain metastasis incidence in lung cancer, however with risk of neurocognitive decline. Nevertheless, risk factors for neurocognitive decline after PCI remain unclear.MethodsWe systematically reviewed the PubMed database according to the PRISMA guideline. Inclusion criteria were: randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and observational/single arm trials evaluating PCI, including ≥20 patients, reporting neurocognitive test results for lung cancer. Primary aim: evaluate risk factors associated with neurocognitive decline after PCI.ResultsTwenty records were eligible (8 different RCTs, 8 observational studies), including 3553 patients in total (858 NSCLC, 2695 SCLC) of which 73.6% received PCI. Incidence of mild/moderate cognitive decline after PCI varied from 8 to 89% (grading not always provided); for those without PCI, this was 3.4–42%. Interestingly, 23–95% had baseline cognitive impairment. Risk factors were often not reported. In one trial, both age (>60 years) and higher PCI dose (36 Gy) including twice-daily PCI were associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline. In one trial, white matter abnormalities were more frequent in the concurrent or sandwiched PCI arm, but without significant neuropsychological differences. One trial identified hippocampal sparing PCI to limit the neurocognitive toxicities of PCI and another reported an association between hippocampal dose volume effects and memory decline. As neurocognition was a secondary endpoint in most RCTs, and was assessed by various instruments with often poor/moderate compliance, high-quality data is lacking.ConclusionsAge, PCI dose, regimen and timing might be associated with cognitive impairment after PCI in lung cancer patients, but high-quality data is lacking. Future PCI trials should collect and evaluate possible risk factors systematically.     

Treatment planning for a synchrotron-based radiotherapy modality

Contrast enhanced radiotherapy (CERT) achieves biologically localised dose enhancement through the preferential uptake of high-Z media by the tumour cells. A treatment planning software originally developed for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has been developed to evaluate treatment plans for CERT. A realistic test case of a brain tumour based on actual CT scans was used to calculate dose distributions with and without the presence of an iodinated contrast medium. An enhancement of dose was observed at all depths with the introduction of iodine and the corresponding dose enhancement factors were calculated for various concentrations.     

Protontherapy of eye tumours in the UK: A review of treatment at Clatterbridge

The Scanditronix MC-60 PF cyclotron at Clatterbridge was commissioned in 1984 for fast neutrontherapy trials. It also produced a 60.0 MeV clinical beam suitable for treating ocular tumours with a maximum penetration of 31 mm (water) and a 0.9 mm fall-off. An additional treatment room was built with an ocular beamline constructed in-house. The first group of eye patients was treated in June 1989, making this the first hospital-based proton facility. More than 1700 eye patients have been treated by the only UK proton service.     

一种关于RPM放疗呼吸门控系统束流时间延迟性能的参考质控方法

目的：提出一种关于RPM放疗呼吸门控系统束流时间延迟性能的参考质控方法,给出参考条件下VB与EDGE加速器的时间延迟测量结果。方法：首先设计梯形质控呼吸曲线并加载运动模体,利用定位CT扫描由运动模体驱动的W-L模体,然后设计用于束流出束和截止延迟测量的两类质控计划,最后在加速器上执行质控计划,使用EPID采集模体的静态参考图像与运动测量图像,通过分析致密金属球在运动图像和参考图像中的位置差,反推束流的时间延迟,分别在VB与EDGE两台加速器上做方法验证。结果：VB与EDGE加速器的束流出束时间延迟均小于100 ms,截止时间延迟基本一致,VB加速器约为14 ms,EDGE约为22 ms。10FFF各剂量率的出束时间延迟基本一致,而6FFF、6 MV和10 MV则随剂量率的变化略有增加。4个能量各剂量率的束流截止时间延迟均较小且相对一致,部分能量有随剂量率变大而延迟缩小的趋势。结论：本研究提出的RPM束流时间延迟参考质控方法和条件具有较高的测量可信度和较强的临床实操性,测量结果表明RPM呼吸门控系统响应灵敏,研究结果为呼吸门控系统的时间延迟质控提供了重要的方法学指导与数据参考。