Measurements with alanine and film dosimeters for industrial 10 MeV electron reference dosimetry

Alanine and radiochromic film dosimeters were irradiated with absorbed doses from 3 to 10 kGy at a 10 MeV electron accelerator under typical radiation processing conditions. The nominal doses were measured by graphite calorimeters and the dosimeters were irradiated in graphite phantoms. The dosimeters were calibrated by irradiation with ⁶⁰Co photons.The ratios of calorimeter to film and alanine dosimeter readings were generally within 0.99 ± 0.01 for 10 mm phantoms, but larger differences were observed for 20 mm phantoms. The discrepancies may be due to uncertainties in irradiation geometry, or in the stopping power ratios applied.     

A unique calibration curve for alanine EPR dosimetry systems

The alanine EPR dose-response curve was proposed to follow a saturating exponential function. In this study the characteristic parameter D₃₇3of the exponential function was estimated for two types of dosimeters and different EPR spectrometer configurations. The results suggest that only below about 0.3 mW the alanine EPR signal is not saturated with microwave power. A unique alanine calibration curve is suggested for measurements with non-saturating microwave power.     

Application of concentrated TiO2 sols for gamma-ray radiation dosimetry.

Upon exposure to gamma-radiation, a concentrated TiO2 sol changes from colorless to deep blue with an absorption maximum at 540 nm. The absorption has been assigned to trapped electrons or Ti3+ states in the solid matrix based on its spectroscopic similarity to the samples irradiated with UV light. Unlike the conduction-band electrons generated from direct excitation by UV radiation, the origin of the trapped electrons during gamma-ray irradiation may be traced to a series of reducing species produced by the high energy electrons, which in turn, are the direct result of gamma-irradiation. As the absorption intensity is linearly related to the duration of exposure to gamma-radiation, it may have an application in gamma-ray dosimetry. The sensitivity of its dosage response has been found to be influenced by the semiconductor particle concentration and the dispersing solvent.     

Use of the entire spectrum of irradiated alanine for dosimetry.

Alanine is an amino acid commonly used in ESR dosimetry as a reference detector. The classic approach for the measurement of irradiated samples is to determine the amplitude of the central peak of the first derivative spectrum. It is generally considered that this technique represents the best and most reproducible solution for achieving an accurate proportionality between the concentration of free radicals inside the resonant cavity, characterized by the amplitude, and the dose. It is also accepted that this central peak corresponds to the free radical CH3CHCOO-. The hyperfine structure of this radical in the spectrum shows five main peaks with the approximate ratios 1:4:6:4:1 as regards coupling. This paper presents another approach featuring analysis of the entire spectrum: (i) ratios of identified peaks, (ii) ratio variation vs time with regard to several parameters affecting fading. These variations in the alanine spectrum are probably correlated with the variation of the concentrations of different free radical species. These variations and their positions in the spectrum are very important constraints that increase the uncertainty of this type of measurement.     

Use of alanine for dosimetry intercomparisons among Italian radiotherapy centers.

A pilot program of postal dosimetry intercomparison among 16 Italian Radiotherapy Centers was performed using the ISS Alanine/EPR dosimetry as a transfer system. Dosimeters were irradiated at 10 Gy with high-energy photon beams, both in reference condition in a water phantom and in an anthropomorphic phantom during the simulated treatment of rectum cancer. Intercomparison design along with alanine performances analyzing the different contributions to the combined uncertainty in dose assessment are reported. Main results of the pilot intercomparison, terminated in 2002, are also presented.     

Hydroxyanthraquinone dye solutions for radiation dosimetry

An investigation has been carried out on the effect of γ-radiation on the absorption spectra of acqueos solutions of the hydroxyanthraquinone dyes, alizarin and alizarin red S. Ionizing radiation at absorbed doses over the range 10⁵−3 × 10⁶ rad brought about gradual bleaching of aerated (oxygenated) dye solutions. The radiolytic bleaching was enhanced through addition of hydrogen peroxide, as expected. A mechanism for the radiolytic reaction is proposed, based on chemical attack of the chromophore by radicals and radical ions as aqueous radiolysis products. Suggestions are made for possible radiation dosimetry by means of spectrophotometric analysis of the absorption spectra.     

Dosimetry of blood irradiation using an alanine/ESR dosimeter.

A batch of 80 DL-alanine dosimeters was supplied to Hemocentro of the Hospital and Clinics of Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeir?o Preto (HC-FM RP) SP, Brazil for the purpose of quality control of the radiation dose delivered to blood bags. The irradiation was made using two (40 x 40) cm2 parallel opposed radiation fields each with 80 cm of source to surface distance in the Radiotherapy Section of HC-FMRP with the 60Co teletherapy unit. The calculated radiation absorbed dose at the center of the box was 20 Gy. The dosimeter readings were performed using a Varian E-4 ESR Spectrometer operating in X-band. For the 80 dosimeters and over the irradiation volume throughout a blood bag, the minimum and maximum doses were 14 and 23 Gy, respectively. The mean dose was (18 +/- 2) Gy (1sigma), and the coefficient of variability was 11.1%. Alanine dosimeters demonstrated easy handling, good precision and adequate sensitivity for this application.     

全中枢神经系统肿瘤放疗技术的剂量学研究

目的 以三维适形放疗技术为参照,探讨中枢神经系统肿瘤简单调强(sIMRT)放疗技术的剂量学特性。方法 选取5名已行全脑全脊髓放疗患者,为每位患者设计3D-CRT计划、3野和5野sIMRT计划。利用剂量分布和剂量体积直方图(DVH),评价不同照射技术的靶区和正常器官的照射剂量、靶区剂量均匀性(HI),通过总的机器跳数(MU)间接比较不同照射技术的治疗时间。结果 3D-CRT在射野衔接处只有处方剂量的70%。计划靶区后缘的正常组织接受的剂量达到处方剂量的140%。3野和5野sIMRT计划的靶区剂量均匀性分别为0.09±0.01和0.08±0.01,优于3D-CRT计划的0.18±0.02 (t=7.80、7.65,P<0.05);心脏V₁₀分别为(8.4±1.9)%和(8.4±2.0)%,低于3D-CRT计划的(36.0±6.0)%(t=13.3、13,0,P<0.05);甲状腺V₂₀分别为(12.4±1.5)%和(12.4±1.6)%,低于3D-CRT计划的(69.4±5.7)%(t=26.3、26.4,P<0.05);喉V₂₀分别为(17.2±1.2)%和(17.9±1.5)%,低于3D-CRT计划的(89.4±7.0)%(t=25.5、26.5,P<0.05);靶区后缘正常组织V₃₀分别为(4.4±1.4)%,(4.9±1.9)%,低于3D-CRT计划的(31.9±6.1)%(t=8.5、10.1,P<0.05);平均机器跳数(MU)分别为1100±106和1160±129,高于3D-CRT计划的640±78。结论 3野和5野sIMRT计划在剂量分布、危及器官(OAR)保护、靶区剂量均匀性等方面均好于3D-CRT计划。     

The fixed horizontal neutron therapy beam at Edinburgh: dosimetry and radiation protection.

A compact cyclotron producing 15 MeV deuterons has been installed at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, to extend the Medical Research Council's clinical trials of fast neutrons. Two treatment rooms are available one of which has an isocentric unit and the other a fixed horizontal beam which is the subject of this paper. A radiation protection survey has demonstrated safe levels of radiation throughout the building although there is some activation of the fixed horizontal beam cone resulting in doses to radiographers of 10 mrem per week. The calibration of neutron dose is discussed and the measurements of dose distribution described. Isodose and depth-dose data for both the neutron and photon components of the field are presented.     

One year of experience with alanine dosimetry in radiotherapy

Commercially available alanine dosimeters from different manufacturers were purchased for this study. The response of the detectors was evaluated with ⁶⁰Co gamma radiation in the dose range 0.2–200 Gy, using a small EPR spectrometer dedicated to dosimetry. The batch sensitivity, inter-specimen scattering and background signal for the different selection of dosimeters were evaluated. The usefulness of the alanine dosimetry system for clinical routine is illustrated by in vivo measurements during ¹⁹²Ir brachytherapy of cervix carcinoma.     

全国医用辐射防护监测信息系统构建及应用情况

目的 依托全国放射卫生信息平台,建立全国医用辐射防护监测信息系统,支持国家医用辐射防护监测项目数据上报,全面了解医用辐射防护现状。方法 根据国家医用辐射防护监测方案、法规和标准,前端采用HTML、CSS、JavaScript,后端采用JAVA语言,平台数据库采用SQL server,开发中间件为Tomcat。系统通过B/S的架构建立数据上报和分析系统,并对2017年度的监测数据进行了统计分析。结果 平台的业务组成包括数据采集（通过各业务系统）、数据资源整合（整合业务系统公共数据）、应用和展现4个层次。实现架构灵活、信息集中、操作便捷的全国医用辐射防护监测系统,完成2017年国家医用辐射防护信息的上报,汇总和数据统计分析,2017年度共上报33 565所医院放射防护基本情况和10 624台放射诊疗设备性能及防护信息。共完成统计信息报表95个,分别从时间、行政地理信息、医院级别、设备种类4个维度描述全国医用辐射防护现状。结论 医用辐射防护监测系统达到设计目的,顺利完成2017年数据上报,为了解全国医用辐射防护现状和放射诊疗防护管理政策制定提供了数据支持。     

Development of a secondary standard for the absorbed dose to water based on the alanine EPR dosimetry system.

The primary measurand in the dosimetry for radiation therapy is the absorbed dose to water, D(W). An alanine/EPR based secondary standard for D(W) for high-energy photon and electron radiation is presently under construction at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. A technique of transfer dosimetry that makes it possible to reduce the reproducibility to a level below 0.5% in the 5-50 Gy range is presented. It takes advantage of a reference sample. Results of investigations of some effects, such as environmental humidity, are presented.     

Radiopharmaceuticals for lymphoscintigraphy: including dosimetry and radiation considerations

The recognition of the importance of lymphoscintigraphy for identification of the sentinel lymph nodes in melanoma and breast cancer plays a significant role in the clinical management of these patients. The widespread clinical acceptance of this technique and the lack of an agreement on which radiopharmaceutical agent has the most ideal properties has resulted in a wide variety of agents being used clinically with other agents under investigation or development. This article reviews some of the physical properties that a radiopharmaceutical agent should possess and discusses in depth commonly used agents and lists some agents under development. This article also discusses the dosimetry and biological effects various radiopharmaceutical agents have for lymphoscintigraphy in melanoma and breast cancer patients. In view of the lack of a consensus agreement on which radiopharmaceutical agent will provide the optimal clinical information this article will provide an overview of potentially useful radiopharmaceutical agents and radiation dosimetry considerations.     

ALARA and an integrated approach to radiation protection

Exposures of individuals to ionizing radiation have been restricted for many years by a number of guidelines and rules developed by various advisory and regulatory groups. Accompanying these restrictions has been an evolving principle that exposures to individuals and groups should be kept "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA), consistent with provision of the benefits of radiation use to society. Although the ALARA concept is a laudable goal in principle, its implementation in a clinical facility has not been a straightforward process. Problems of implementing ALARA have been confounded further by the efforts of regulatory agencies to incorporate the ALARA concept into regulations governing radiation exposures. To facilitate the implementation of ALARA as a workable construct in a clinical facility, guidelines are needed for its application to both individual and collective exposures to radiation. The provision of such guidelines, including action and inaction levels for both individual and collective exposures, are presented here.     

Reduction of doses in teleradiography of the spine. Criteria of radiation protection and studies of dosimetry

To reduce the radiation exposure during full spine X-ray examinations, the following techniques were instituted: 72" tube to film distance; X-ray beam collimation; fast screen-film combination (rare earth gradual screens with high speed films); additional compensation filters; shielding of the most radiation-sensitive organs. Dosimetric measurements are reported. A very high reduction in exposure, above all of breasts and gonads, was obtained, without significant loss in the quality of radiographs.