冲洗和扫描条件对胶片剂量响应的影响

目的 分析冲洗和扫描条件对胶片剂量与吸光度(A)值的影响,建立基于卤化银胶片剂量仪的临床质量保证程序。方法 选择不同洗片温度、不同批次胶片、不同批次药水及同批次药水和胶片分析剂量与A值的响应。测试扫描仪不均匀性、稳定工作时间和噪声对胶片剂量响应的影响。结果 同一剂量水平A值随温度升高而增大;不同批次胶片剂量与A值响应差异较大;不同批次药水、胶片剂量与A值响应差异明显;同一批次胶片剂量与A值响应与药水时间呈现一定规律。扫描仪扫描的不均匀性最大达0.03,相同剂量A值在预热10 min后稳定,噪声影响随剂量和分辨率增加而加大。结论 最佳洗片温度为 29~31℃;不同批次胶片不能混用,更换胶片、药水时需重新获取刻度片。扫描仪需进行不均匀性校准,最佳扫描设置为72 dpi、16 bit,且要预热 5~10 min。     

剂量胶片在放疗设备质量保证中的应用

在放射治疗的质量保证执行过程中，用胶片剂量计测试射线野等中心精度、同时检查光野和照射野一致性以及照射野的平坦度及对称性，是目前常用的方法之一，它具有准确、方便等特点。我们采用Kodak公司的OmatV剂量胶片对射野特性进行测量，再用奥沃公司的DFS4.0胶片剂量分析软件处理测量数据，获得较好的效果，具体方法介绍如下。 1 实验方法 1.1 射线野等中心检查 射线野等中心检查时,通常把照射野开成一条狭缝。狭缝的宽窄要根据胶片的大小来调节，其目的是要使曝光后交叉点的远端狭缝可以在胶片上分开。用胶片来检测等中心时，按放疗设备生产厂家的验收手册要求对胶片进行曝光，射线在胶片上形成了星形的辐射状交叉阴影粗线。由于等中心误差通常在半径为1mm的圆内，在胶片上直接测量误差较大，我们用图像处理软件在胶片文件图像上画出中心线，在图上测量这些中心线的相交处分离的情况，便可以比较准确地确定等中心精度。     

调强验证中胶片刻度方法的研究

胶片测量方法因空间分辨率高，是目前临床上用于调强放疗（IMRT）计划剂量分布验证的主要方法。虽然在胶片测量过程中其精度会受多种因素影响，但通过一系列质量保证措施可达到调强验证要求。在众多控制措施中最重要的方法是，每次都必须建立一个胶片光密度和剂量的转换曲线，对验证测量胶片进行剂量刻度，使胶片在处理过程中的误差降至最低。[第一段]     

用放射性铬胶片进行调强放疗剂量验证的研究

目的研究新型放射性铬胶片(RCF)的剂量响应特性,探讨其用于个体化调强放疗(IMRT)平面剂量验证的临床应用方法和剂量精度,简化传统胶片剂量测量系统的质控过程,建立更可靠易行的调强放疗剂量分布验证系统。方法采用阶梯式剂量-光密度刻度方法校正RCF和传统胶片(EDR2),比较两者剂量学特性与测量精度差别及过程的质控要求。采用模体内剂量实测方法,以RCF和EDR2胶片分别测量验证IMRT计划在同一平面的剂量分布,并与治疗计划系统计算的剂量注量分布、离轴剂量分布曲线、等剂量曲线等进行比较,评价RCF用于IMRT剂量分布验证的效果。结果在0～500 cGy外照射剂量范围内,RCF/VXR-16和EDR2/VXR-16胶片剂量系统的测量离散度均不超过0.70%,平均不确定度分别为0.37%和0.68%。IMRT剂量分布验证的RCF测量和严格执行冲片质控的EDR2胶片测量结果十分相近,两者在模体内同一平面与计划计算的最大离轴剂量偏差分别为3.1%和3.6%,相同DTA与△D设定值的γ像素符合率分别为94.28%和92.92%。结论RCF的剂量系统应用于临床个体化IMRT平面剂量验证,有较高可靠性和可信度,且操作和质控过程与传统剂量胶片相比大大简化,可以在临床推广应用。     

32P持续低剂量率辐射敷贴治疗的胶片剂量验证

目的:对32P的敷贴治疗进行胶片剂量验证.方法: 直线加速器建立25-575cGy的胶片辐射剂量曲线.放射性核素32P溶液4.14MBq吸附在 1.1cm×1.2cm 的长方形滤纸上制成放射性敷贴器.将20张1.5cm×1.5cm的辐射直接显色(RC)胶片(胶片厚0.225mm)重叠放置(总厚度4.5mm),把放射性敷贴器放置在最顶端,辐射0.5小时.通过辐射剂量曲线计算每张胶片辐射剂量,根据胶片厚度推算距离敷贴器不同距离处的辐射剂量,并绘制相应的剂量-距离曲线.结果: 距离敷贴器 0、 0.225、 0.45、0.675、0.9、1.125、1.35、1.8、2.025、2.25、2.475mm处的0.5小时辐射测量吸收剂量为265、175、120、98、68、55、39、25、19、16、12、5cGy,拟合曲线为Y=257.28e-1.4521X.结论: 放射性核素32P敷贴器的辐射剂量随距离增加呈指数方式衰减,敷贴器表面和2.5mm处的辐射剂量相差约53倍.     

EBT剂量胶片测量电子线百分深度剂量的应用研究

目的 研究EBT剂量胶片在临床电子线百分深度剂量(PDD)中的测量方法.方法 采用14.7 cm×5.1 cm的矩形射野,在同一张EBT胶片上进行5阶梯度的剂量刻度.应用上述刻度方法,针对4、6、8、10、12和15 MeV电子线,在小水箱中采用竖直和倾斜5°两种方式测量PDD,并与半导体探头的三维水箱扫描结果以及平行板电离室在小水箱中测量结果进行比较和分析°结果当剂量胶片上端与水面平齐时,EBT测量的PDD曲线与两种探头测量的结果具有较好一致性,并且倾斜和竖直测量两种方式无明显差异.当剂量胶片上端伸出水面时,在竖自测量方式下剂量建成区内测量结果明显低于其他测量结果,而倾斜测量方式下则无明显影响.结论 新的剂量刻度方式快捷可靠,可显著减少剂量胶片用量.在测量电子线PDD时建议将胶片倾斜一定角度进行,以便减小胶片上端与水面不平齐所引起的测量误差.     

EBT剂量胶片测量电子线百分深度剂量的应用研究

目的 研究EBT剂量胶片在临床电子线百分深度剂量(PDD)中的测量方法.方法 采用14.7 cm×5.1 cm的矩形射野,在同一张EBT胶片上进行5阶梯度的剂量刻度.应用上述刻度方法,针对4、6、8、10、12和15 MeV电子线,在小水箱中采用竖直和倾斜5°两种方式测量PDD,并与半导体探头的三维水箱扫描结果以及平行板电离室在小水箱中测量结果进行比较和分析°结果当剂量胶片上端与水面平齐时,EBT测量的PDD曲线与两种探头测量的结果具有较好一致性,并且倾斜和竖直测量两种方式无明显差异.当剂量胶片上端伸出水面时,在竖自测量方式下剂量建成区内测量结果明显低于其他测量结果,而倾斜测量方式下则无明显影响.结论 新的剂量刻度方式快捷可靠,可显著减少剂量胶片用量.在测量电子线PDD时建议将胶片倾斜一定角度进行,以便减小胶片上端与水面不平齐所引起的测量误差.     

EBT剂量胶片测量电子线百分深度剂量的应用研究

目的 研究EBT剂量胶片在临床电子线百分深度剂量(PDD)中的测量方法.方法 采用14.7 cm×5.1 cm的矩形射野,在同一张EBT胶片上进行5阶梯度的剂量刻度.应用上述刻度方法,针对4、6、8、10、12和15 MeV电子线,在小水箱中采用竖直和倾斜5°两种方式测量PDD,并与半导体探头的三维水箱扫描结果以及平行板电离室在小水箱中测量结果进行比较和分析°结果当剂量胶片上端与水面平齐时,EBT测量的PDD曲线与两种探头测量的结果具有较好一致性,并且倾斜和竖直测量两种方式无明显差异.当剂量胶片上端伸出水面时,在竖自测量方式下剂量建成区内测量结果明显低于其他测量结果,而倾斜测量方式下则无明显影响.结论 新的剂量刻度方式快捷可靠,可显著减少剂量胶片用量.在测量电子线PDD时建议将胶片倾斜一定角度进行,以便减小胶片上端与水面不平齐所引起的测量误差.     

辐射显色剂量胶片的特性及其在放射医学的应用

近十几年来，随着辐射直接显色（RC）剂量胶片灵敏度不断提高，成像技术不断发展，以及商业产品体系的完善，RC剂量胶片在医学领域的应用迅速拓展，成为医用放射剂量测量的有效手段。新类型的RC剂量胶片——EBT，标称测量范围0．1cGy～80kGy，空间分辨率更高，更近组织等效，使小射野剂量测量更准确。这对肿瘤放疗剂量的准确测量、调强放疗剂量分布的精确验证等具有显著优越性。     

ADAC逆向调强放射治疗计划的验证

目的：验证ADAC逆向调强治疗计划系统的物理精度。方法：用胶片和电离室，检测IMRT的MLC形状、空间点的绝对吸收剂量和等剂量曲线。结果：IMRT的MLC形状符合度误差1mm,空间点绝对吸收剂量与计划计算的误差3．6％，等剂量曲线分布的胶片测量结果与计划计算的很接近。结论：ADAC逆向治疗计划系统符合临床要求。     

Misonidazole and irradiation in the treatment of high-grade astrocytomas: further report of the Vienna Study Group

A randomized study investigating the value of misonidazole in patients irradiated for grade III and IV supratentorial astrocytomas was started in June 1977. With a minimum follow-up time of 6 months, 45 patients who completed therapy are available for analysis. All patients received the same radiation treatment (66.5 Gy in 31 fractions over 7.5 weeks, field size reduction after 45 Gy). In the first, second and eighth week, a 4 Gy tumor dose was given on Monday and Thursday. Misonidazole was given 4 hours before irradiation to 18 randomized patients on those 6 treatment days (2.1-2.7 g/m2 per treatment day). Daily tumor doses of 1.7 Gy were administered Monday through Friday from the third until the seventh week. Median survival for patients treated with misonidazole is 13.8 months; for those treated by irradiation alone it was 9.8 months. The corresponding 1 year survival rates are 64 and 25%, respectively. Survival plots indicate some advantage for the patients treated with misonidazole, however statistically there is no significant difference observed (p greater than 0.08). There are no significant differences in Karnofsky performance status, sex and in histological grade or in age distribution between the groups. However, the type of surgery (complete or subtotal) influenced survival markedly: patients with complete surgery lived significantly longer (p less than 0.0009). Neurotoxic side effects of misonidazole were minimal.     

Review of the first 50 cases completed by the RACR mammography QA programme: Phantom image quality,processor control and dose considerations

The Mammography Quality Assurance Programme, recently established by the Royal Australasian College of Radiologists, has processed the first 50 applications. This programme, which closely follows the programme of the American College of Radiology (ACR), utilizes phantom film images, thermoluminescent dosimetry measurement of mean glandular dose, processor control charts, clinical images, equipment reports and required survey information to establish that a centre conforms to a minimum standard in mammography. The present paper describes the initial results of the first phantom images, dose measurements, processor control and survey information. A film review panel of six members has been trained in phantom film reading. Their evaluation of phantom films was compared with film readings by members of the ACR and was found to be in close agreement. Fifty films have been evaluated up to the present time with a failure rate of 26%. The major causes of failure were unacceptable film artefacts and poor contrast (as indicated by reduced fibre and mass visibility). A surprising result was the high failure in processing, where 23% of units reviewed had significant problems, including failure to keep the processor within required control limits. Only one centre recorded a mean glandular dose above 2 mGy with no centre over the 3 mGy limit. A review of the frequency of the quality control testing shows that the acceptance of quality assurance in mammography, while greater than in the initial stages of the ACR programme, is less than current US practice. These initial results for the accreditation process probably reflect an initial period of adjustment, as seen by the high pass rate achieved by centres that have resubmitted material to gain accreditation.     

Assessment of dose inhomogeneities in clinical practice by film dosimetry.

AIM: To use portal images acquired in routine circumstances for assessment of midplane dose variations in the patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Optical density readings are performed on routinely acquired Verification films of breast and ear-nose-throat (ENT) cancer patients and these readings are converted into relative doses with the sensitometric curve. ( 1 ) The impact of redistribution is evaluated on films taken close to the patient exit surface and at routine focus film distance. (2) Midplane doses are estimated from film readings to assess dose variations in the patient. The influence of wedges is evaluated. Film measurements doses are compared with calculated exit doses. RESULTS: (1) In regions with large variations in the distance between the patient exit surface and the film but without inhomogeneities in tissue density, the relative doses distributions read on films acquired at large focus-film-distance (FFD) are proportional to exit doses. In regions with flat exit surfaces but with inhomogeneities in tissue density, the redistribution has only a small impact. (2) Large variations in relative midplane doses were found in both breast (85-115%) and ENT (-3.6 to +15%) patients. The application of a wedge was shown to increase dose homogeneity in the midplane. A good agreement (differences < 3%) was found between exit doses obtained from film readings and exit doses calculated with the treatment planning system (TPS). CONCLUSION: Films acquired in routine circumstances at large FFD can be used to obtain information on exit doses and to assess midplane doses in breast and ENT, without the use of a TPS. Film dosimetry can also provide a quality assurance tool to check actually delivered doses in patients by comparing exit doses estimated on film to expected exit doses calculated by the TPS.     

Hyperfractionated radiotherapy in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

From January, 1976 to January, 1980, 141 patients (135 males and 6 females) with Stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck received a split course of hyperfractionated radiotherapy (HFR). In the first group, involving 91 patients, the therapeutic schedule was as follows: first and fourth week, 7.2 Gy per day in 8 sessions of .9 Gy from Monday to Friday, the second and third week no irradiation was given. Thus, patients were given 72 Gy total dose, fractionated into 80 sessions. Mucosal necrosis and severe hemorrhage were responsible for the death of 26 patiens (28%). Therefore the therapeutic protocol was altered for the 50 patients of the second group: during the first and sixth week 6.6 Gy per day in 6 sessions of 1.1 Gy from Monday to Friday. The total dose was thus reduced to 66 Gy fractionated into 60 sessions, resulting in the decrease of toxicity. Regardless of the therapeutic protocol and site of primary, 114 patients (80%) achieved a complete remission and 8 showed a partial remission (>50%), whereas no change was seen for the 19 remainders. Local recurrence appeared in 60 patients (48%). Acute mucositis and laryngeal edema regularly occurred a week after every course of HFR and were considered severe in 40 patients. In spite of toxicity, the median survival is 14 months and 22 patients are still alive in November 1981: 19 without disease, and 8 of these patients have a survival time of at least 3 years.     

Investigations of beta-dosimetry at two different sources for the cardiovascular brachytherapy

The intracoronary brachytherapy is used at the Hamburg University Hospital as a method to treat in-stent restenosis. Two different radiochromic film types were applied to obtain dosimetric information of the beta-sources used (32P and 90Sr/90Y). First, these films were analyzed for their suitability for dosimetry. Within the investigated dose range (MD-55-2: 0 to 33 Gy, HD-810: 0 to 105 Gy), both films showed a linear behavior between the dose and the optical density (OD). Because radiochromic films are subject to time-based changes in OD, a method for colour stabilization was investigated (RCS-method). This method allowed to greatly shorten the time between irradiation and evaluation from 24 hours (time necessary for the film to reach a quasi-stable status) to 2.5 hours. Colour-stabilized films can also be stored for a long time and reanalyzed with almost the same results. Within the limits of the measurements error, both film types showed an energy independent response. Within the dose profiles, analyses of the two source types resulted in differences of 13.5% (32P) and 21% (90Sr/90Y). These inhomogenities are consistent with the fabrication tolerances given by the manufactures.     

Quality control in interstitial brachytherapy of the breast using pulsed dose rate: treatment planning and dose delivery with an Ir-192 afterloading system.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the Radiotherapy Department of Leuven, about 20% of all breast cancer patients treated with breast conserving surgery and external radiotherapy receive an additional boost with pulsed dose rate (PDR) Ir-192 brachytherapy. An investigation was performed to assess the accuracy of the delivered PDR brachytherapy treatment. Secondly, the feasibility of in vivo measurements during PDR dose delivery was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two phantoms are manufactured to mimic a breast, one for thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) measurements, and one for dosimetry using radiochromic films. The TLD phantom allows measurements at 34 dose points in three planes including the basal dose points. The film phantom is designed in such a way that films can be positioned in a plane parallel and orthogonal to the needles. RESULTS: The dose distributions calculated with the TPS are in good agreement with both TLD and radiochromic film measurements (average deviations of point doses <+/-5%). However, close to the interface tissue-air the dose is overestimated by the TPS since it neglects the finite size of a breast and the associated lack of backscatter (average deviations of point doses -14%). CONCLUSION: Most deviations between measured and calculated doses, are in the order of magnitude of the uncertainty associated with the source strength specification, except for the point doses measured close to the skin. In vivo dosimetry during PDR brachytherapy treatment was found to be a valuable procedure to detect large errors, e.g. errors caused by an incorrect data transfer.     

In-vivo dosimetry by diode semiconductors in combination with portal films during TBI: reporting a 5-year clinical experience.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In-vivo dosimetry is vital to assure an accurate delivery of total body irradiation (TBI). In-vivo lung dosimetry is strongly recommended because of the risk of radiation-induced interstitial pneumonia (IP). Here we report on our 5-year experience with in-vivo dosimetry using diodes in combination with portal films and assessing the effectiveness of in-vivo dosimetry in improving the accuracy of the treatment. Moreover, we wished to investigate in detail the possibility of in-vivo portal dosimetry to yield individual information on the lung dose and to evaluate the impact of CT planning on the correspondence between stated and in-vivo measured doses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1994 to March 1999, 229 supine-positioned patients were treated at our Institute with TBI, using a 6 MV X-rays opposed lateral beam technique. 146 patients received 10 Gy given in three fractions, once a day (FTBI), shielding the lungs by the arms; 70 received 12-13.2 Gy, given in 6-11 fractions, 2-3 fractions per day (HFTBI): in this case about 2/3 of the lungs were shielded by moulded blocks (mean shielded lung dose equal to 9 or 9.5 Gy). Thirteen patients received 8 Gy given in a single fraction (SFTBI, lung dose: 7 Gy). For all HFTBI and FTBI patients, midline in-vivo dosimetry was performed at the first fraction by positioning two diodes pairs (one at entrance and one at the exit side) at the waist (umbilicus) and at the pelvis (ankles). If at least one of the two diodes doses (waist-pelvis) was outside +/-5% from the prescribed dose, actions could be initiated, together with possible checks on the following fractions. Transit dosimetry by portal films was performed for most patients; for 165 of them (117 and 48, respectively for FTBI and HFTBI) the midline in-vivo dose distribution of the chest region was derived and mean lung dose assessed. As a CT plan was performed for all HFTBI patients, for these patients, the lung dose measured by portal in-vivo dosimetry was compared with the expected value. RESULTS: Concerning all diodes data, 528 measurements were available: when excluding the data of the first fraction(s) of the patients undergoing corrections (n = 392), mean and SD were respectively 0.0% and 4.5% (FTBI: -0.3 +/- 4.8%; HFTBI: 0.4 +/- 3.9%). In total 105/229 patients had a change after the first fraction and 66/229 were controlled by in-vivo dosimetry for more than one fraction. Since January 1998 a CT plan is performed for FTBI patients too: when comparing the diodes data before and after this date, a significant improvement was found (i.e. rate of deviations larger than 5% respectively equal to 30.7% and 13.1%, P = 0.007). When considering only the patients with a CT plan, the global SD reduced to 3.5%. Concerning transit dosimetry data, for FTBI, the mean (midline) lung dose was found to vary significantly from patient to patient (Average 9.13 +/- 0.81 Gy; range 7.4-11.4 Gy); for the HFTBI patients the mean deviation between measured and expected lung dose was 0.0% (1 SD = 3.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In vivo dosimetry is an effective tool to improve the accuracy of TBI. The impact of CT planning for FTBI significantly improved the accuracy of the treatment delivery. Transit dosimetry data revealed a significant inter-patient variation of the mean lung dose among patients undergoing the same irradiation technique. For patients with partial lung shielding (HFTBI), an excellent agreement between measured and expected lung dose was verified.     

Clinical evaluation of the delivery and safety of aerosolized liposomal 9-nitro-20(s)-camptothecin in patients with advanced pulmonary malignancies.

PURPOSE: The purpose is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of aerosol administration of the topoisomerase I inhibitor, 9-nitrocamptothecin, in a liposome formulation, and to recommend a dosage for a Phase II trial for an 8-week daily treatment schedule. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients with primary or metastatic lung cancer received aerosolized liposomal 9-nitrocamptothecin for 5 consecutive days/week for 1, 2, 4, or 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks of rest to determine feasibility. For the Phase I part, the dose was increased stepwise from 6.7 up to 26.6 micro g/kg/day Monday to Friday for 8 weeks followed by 2 weeks of rest. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients received treatment. The mean baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second for all patients was 85% of predicted. A dose-limiting toxicity was chemical pharyngitis seen after 1 week in 2 of 2 patients at 26.6 micro g/kg/day. At 20.0 micro g/kg/day, grade 2 and 3 fatigue prompting a dose reduction was seen after 4 weeks in 2 of 4 patients. Grade 2 toxic effects included nausea/vomiting (9 patients), cough and bronchial irritation (6 patients), fatigue (5 patients), anemia (4 patients), neutropenia (2 patients), anorexia (1 patient), and skin rash around the face mask (1 patient). 9-Nitro-20(S)-camptothecin (9NC) was absorbed systemically. Partial remissions were observed in 2 patients with uterine cancer, and stabilization occurred in 3 patients with primary lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Aerosol administration of liposomal 9NC was found to be feasible and safe. 9NC delivered as an aerosol was detected in patient's plasma shortly after the start of treatment. The recommended dose for Phase II studies is 13.3 micro g/kg/day (equivalent to 0.5 mg/m(2)/day), which constitutes two consecutive 30-min nebulizations/day from a nebulizer reservoir with 4 mg of 9NC in 10 ml of sterile water, Monday to Friday for 8 weeks every 10 weeks.