Comprehensive I-125 multi-seed comparison for prostate brachytherapy: dosimetry and visibility analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the visibility of different manufacturers I-125, seeds, and to investigate the effect of differences in dosimetry on treatment planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oncura Oncoseed, Oncura Echoseed, IBT Intersource, Bebig Isoseed and Nucletron Selectseed were investigated. The point dose at increasing distances from each seed type was calculated for three different angles; theta=0 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees (where theta=0 degrees lies parallel to seed length). 10 patient plans were used to assess the effect of a change in dosimetry on treatment planning and quality of prostate and rectum implant indices such as Vp100, Vp200, Dp90, Vr100 and Vr69. All implant indices and dosimetry data were compared to Oncoseed. Visibility under X-ray, fluoroscopy, CT and MRI was investigated using prostate phantoms created in-house. Statistical significance was calculated using paired two-tailed t-tests. RESULTS: Dosimetric analysis was carried out for seeds of the same source strength. Differences in dose increase closer to the centre of each source, with the largest changes occurring for the angle theta=0 degrees. Selectseed and Isoseed seed types provide a consistently lower dose in all three directions. Changes to Vp100 are small and statistically insignificant for all seeds except Selectseed which shows a statistically significant decrease of 0.04% (p=0.02). Changes to Vp150 and Vp200 are statistically significant (p<0.01), with Intersource showing the greatest increase in both values. Selectseed shows a decrease in both Vp150 and Vp200. Echoseed shows an increase in both Vp150 and Vp200. Changes to D90 are statistically significant (p<0.01), with Intersource showing the greatest increase, followed by Isoseed then Echoseed. Selectseed shows a decrease in D90. For Vr100 there is no statistically significant change for any seed type. However, all seeds except Selectseed show a statistically significant increase in the value of Vr69, with Intersource showing the greatest increase. On fluoroscopy and X-ray images, Intersource seeds appear least visible, Echoseed and Oncoseed are similar, and Isoseed and Selectseed are most visible. Ultrasound greyscale beam profiles show that all seed images have a FWHM larger than the Oncoseed image. The CT greyscale beam profiles are similar for all seed images. The MRI signal voids are similar for all seed images except Intersource which shows a larger signal void. CONCLUSIONS: The greatest changes to point dose occur at very close distances to the seeds. Changing seed type may require a treatment replan to maintain satisfactory DVH criteria. Visibility on US and CT is similar, though it may vary on MRI, X-ray and fluoroscopy.