呼吸幅度对旋转容积调强剂量分布的影响研究

目的 研究呼吸幅度对旋转容积调强放疗(VMAT)剂量分布的影响。方法 采用呼吸运动模拟模体(QUASAR)模拟人体头脚方向的一维呼吸运动,二维电离室矩阵采集不同呼吸幅度等中心层面的剂量分布。通过Verisoft软件及绝对剂量分析,分析采集数据与计划数据比较的剂量分布、等中心绝对剂量百分误差和射野通过率。结果 呼吸运动对靶区等中心点剂量影响小于剂量允许误差5%(t=-22.614~-10.756,P<0.05),使靶区边缘剂量偏高、靶区内热点少、冷点多,且随着呼吸幅度的增大,对靶区整体剂量分布影响越大。6、8、10 mm整个射野γ通过率与静态相比差异有统计学意义(t=3.095、8.685、14.096,P<0.05)。8、10 mm靶区内射野通过率与静态相比差异有统计学意义(t=6.081、9.841,P<0.05)。结论 呼吸运动可导致VMAT剂量传输误差,且误差随靶区运动幅度的增加而升高,且呼吸运动方向靶区边缘的正常组织实际治疗受照剂量高于计划评价。     

基于光学体表监测的左侧乳腺癌深吸气屏气放疗实时三维在体剂量验证分析

目的 对光学体表监测下的左侧乳腺癌深吸气屏气门控放疗(DIBH-SGRT)患者进行三维在体剂量验证,研究靶区剂量学差异以及影响通过率指标的相关因素。方法 选取浙江大学医学院附属妇产科医院放疗科行DIBH-SGRT的20例左侧乳腺癌患者,记录光学体表监测下患者DIBH过程中的分次内位移偏差,同时所有患者在治疗过程中均进行基于电子射野影像装置的三维在体剂量(EIVD)验证,统计2 mm/2%、3 mm/3%与3 mm/5%的3类γ通过率。以剂量体积直方图(DVH)参数,评估肿瘤靶区与危及器官的剂量学差异。采用Pearson相关性分析,计算3类γ通过率与剂量学差异、位移偏差间的相关性。结果 2 mm/2%、3 mm/3%和3 mm/5%的平均γ通过率分别为73.43%、86.00%和92.96%,EIVD测量剂量与计划剂量在计划瘤床靶区体积 (PTV_TB)和计划靶区体积(PTV)D_mean 的平均剂量偏差为0.23%和0.59%(P＞0.05)。Pearson分析显示,γ通过率与肿瘤靶区的剂量学差异相关性较弱(R＜0.7),与分次内DIBH的左右(Lat)方向和升降(Vert)方向位移偏差相关性较强(R＞0.7)。结论 三维EIVD验证能够有效保证左侧乳腺癌DIBH-SGRT过程中肿瘤靶区剂量传递的精准性,同时EIVD系统能够潜在发现患者屏气过程中的位移偏差。     

呼吸运动状态对动态调强放疗剂量分布影响的研究

目的 探讨不同幅度、周期、方向的呼吸运动对动态调强放疗（IMRT）计划中靶区剂量分布的影响。方法 选取30例肺癌病例,按靶区体积大小分为A（72.0~200.2 cm³）、B（271.7~380.0 cm³）、C（498.9~684.9 cm³）3组,每组10例,平均体积分别为151.5、327.1和583.3 cm³。使用呼吸运动模拟平台带动含二维电离室矩阵的模体沿枪靶方向运动。分别转动准直器至0°和90°,在不同呼吸运动幅度（0、4、8、12和15 mm）与周期（3、4和5 s）下,采集模体等中心层面剂量。其中周期为4 s测量5次,以绝对剂量及γ通过率（3 mm/3%）为指标,分析采集剂量与治疗计划系统（TPS）输出的剂量分布差异。结果 在两个方向上,呼吸运动降低了靶区边缘内侧剂量,提高了靶区边缘外侧剂量。呼吸运动周期之间的γ通过率差异最大达3.54%（t=2.301,P<0.05）。当呼吸运动幅度超过8 mm时,γ通过率<90%,且随幅度增大而减小。静态与呼吸运动之间γ通过率的差值和靶区体积呈负相关,A、B、C 3组的平均γ通过率依次增大。5次叠加剂量的γ通过率高于单次剂量平均γ通过率,且差异有统计学意义（t=-9.36~-5.95,P<0.05）。结论 动态IMRT靶区剂量分布主要受呼吸运动幅度及自身体积影响,部分幅度下呼吸运动周期对剂量分布有影响。多次剂量实施后,可消除部分单次剂量实施误差。医师需要根据呼吸运动幅度对靶区进行合理外扩,同时优化呼吸运动方向上靶区边缘组织受量。对于靶区体积过小以及呼吸运动幅度过大的患者,应采取呼吸管理技术提高靶区剂量实施的精准性。     

呼吸运动对部分乳腺外照射靶区剂量学的影响

目的 探讨呼吸运动对部分乳腺外照射（EB-PBI）靶区和危及器官（OAR）剂量学的影响。方法 选取保乳术后符合EB-PBI条件的20例患者,在四维CT（4D-CT）10个时相上,由同一勾画者基于术腔边界金属夹结合术腔血清肿勾画靶区（TB）。以0时相为参考时相,制定三维适形放疗计划（3D-CRT）,并将0时相的3D-CRT复制到其余9个时相上。观察呼吸周期中呼吸运动导致的靶区及OAR剂量学变化,其中相关剂量学参数如下：平均剂量（D_mean）、均匀性指数（HI）、适形度指数（CI）以及接受x Gy照射的百分体积（V_x）。结果 自由呼吸状态下TB在左右、前后、头脚方向上的位移中位数分别为0.90、0.75和0.80 mm,三维位移矢量中位数为0.95 mm。在头脚方向上,TB位移与靶区D_mean、HI和CI具有相关性（r=-0.458、-0.451和0.462,P < 0.05）,尤其与靶区D_mean呈负相关,并且TB位移在头脚方向上与患侧正常乳腺的D_mean、V₂₀和V₃₀呈正相关（r=0.527、0.488和0.526,P < 0.05）。在三维运动矢量上,TB位移与患侧肺的D_mean、V₅、V₁₀和V₂₀呈正相关（r=0.416、0.503、0.522和0.498,P < 0.05）。心脏的D_mean、V₅和V₁₀仅与心脏体积变化相关（r=0.727、0.704和0.695,P < 0.05）。 结论 自由呼吸状态下呼吸运动引起EB-PBI靶区小幅度的位移能引起靶区剂量学的变化,从而有可能造成照射过程中靶区剂量脱靶或漏照。肺脏受照剂量体积参数的变化受靶区位移及胸廓扩张的双重影响,但心脏受照剂量受呼吸运动的影响并不显著。     

咖啡酸苯一酯对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞的放射增敏作用

目的 探讨咖啡酸苯一酯(CAPE)对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞的放射增敏作用。方法 将宫颈癌HeLa细胞经不同浓度的CAPE作用24 h,四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法(MTT)法检测细胞抑制效应与CAPE浓度的关系。将HeLa细胞设对照组和药物组,两组均经⁶⁰Coγ射线照射0、2、4、6和8 Gy,计数细胞克隆;另将HeLa细胞设对照组、CAPE组、单纯照射组、照射+CAPE组,流式细胞检测技术分析CAPE对细胞周期的影响。结果 CAPE对HeLa细胞的抑制率呈剂量依赖性增加(F=126.49~3654.88,P<0.01);细胞经⁶⁰Coγ射线照射后,HeLa细胞克隆存活率随着照射剂量的增加而降低(F=174.42~9422.81,P<0.01);相同剂量下,药物组的HeLa细胞克隆存活率低于对照组(F=120.14~251.91,P<0.01);药物组和对照组HeLa细胞的平均致死剂量(D₀)为1.45和1.82 Gy、准阈剂量(D_q)为1.89和3.21 Gy, 药物组较小,放射增敏比(SER)为1.26>1;与对照组相比, CAPE组及单纯照射组G₂/M期的细胞比例升高(P<0.01),而在照射+CAPE组则降低(P<0.01)。结论CAPE通过对人宫颈癌HeLa细胞G₂/M期的阻滞及可能抑制细胞亚致死性损伤修复能力,发挥放射增敏作用。     

乳腺癌根治术后调强放疗的一体化射野设计

目的 比较一种一体化调强射野设计方式与常规射野设计方法在乳腺癌根治术后调强放疗中的剂量学差异。方法 选取41例左侧乳腺癌根治术后患者的CT图像,进行胸壁、部分腋窝、锁骨上、内乳等靶区及危及器官（OAR）勾画。对每一套CT图像分别制作一体化射野设计的调强计划和常规调强计划。评估两种计划靶区和OAR剂量学分布。结果 两种计划靶区剂量分布和OAR受照剂量均满足临床要求,靶区剂量学参数差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。一体化调强计划相比于常规计划：患侧肺V₅降低9.7%（t=2.407,P<0.05）、V₁₀降低11.2%（t=2.160,P<0.05）、V₂₀降低17.3%（t=2.465,P<0.05）、V₃₀降低13.4%（t=2.119,P<0.05）、D_mean降低13.8%（t=2.258,P<0.05）;心脏V₃₀下降28.4%（t=2.589,P<0.05）、D_mean下降23.2%（t=2.409,P<0.05）;其他OAR剂量学差异不具有统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 一体化调强射野设计技术显著降低了患侧肺和心脏的受照体积与受照剂量,有望减轻乳腺癌根治术后放疗的不良反应。新型设计方案选取了较多的样本,包含不同分期的左乳癌根治术患者,对乳腺癌根治术后调强放疗临床应用具有普遍性,可以作为一种新的照射方式推广。     

宫颈癌术后调强放疗中射野方向和数量对计划优化影响的初步探讨

目的 探索射野方向及数量对宫颈癌计划优化的影响。方法 选取9例进行调强放疗的宫颈癌患者,分别设计射野方向均分、起始角度分别为0°、180°的15主野30子野和7主野55子野计划,比较4组计划的治疗时间、机器跳数及靶区、危及器官和靶区外正常组织的剂量分布。结果 7野计划起始角度为180°时小肠V₃₀比另外3组计划高约4%(F=6.164,P<0.05)。相同数量射野不同入射方向的计划间比较,靶区及危及器官各项剂量学结果差异无统计学意义;不同射野数量相同起始角度计划的直肠、膀胱的V₄₀、V₃₀和小肠的V₄₀相似;15野计划危及器官的V₂₀、D_mean 明显减小(F=3.665~10.503,P<0.05),靶区的均匀性稍逊于7野计划(F=12.933,P<0.05)。15野计划治疗时间略有增加(F=0.312,P<0.05),但是计划跳数明显减少(F=4.650,P<0.05)。结论 增加入射野数量可以基本抵消子野减少带来的负面影响,获得相近的剂量学结果。     

乳腺癌保乳术后部分乳腺三种放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的 比较容积弧形调强（VMAT）、固定野动态调强（IMRT）及三维适形放疗（3D-CRT）技术对乳腺癌保乳术后采用部分乳腺放疗的剂量学差异。方法 选取20例临床分期为T_1-2N₀M₀的早期乳腺癌保乳术后患者进行VMAT,并同时设计IMRT及3D-CRT,比较3种计划的剂量学参数,包括剂量-体积直方图（DVH）、靶区剂量适形度、靶区及危及器官的剂量、机器跳数及治疗时间。结果 IMRT及VMAT计划靶区剂量分布优于3D-CRT计划,其中最大剂量,平均剂量及适形指数（CI）组间比较差异具有统计学意义（F=14.86、8.57、18.23,P<0.05）。正常组织受量：VMAT计划在患侧乳腺V₅上优于IMRT及3D-CRT计划（F=5.83,P<0.05）;IMRT在患侧肺V₂₀、V₅及D₅上有优势（F=16.39、3.62、4.81,P<0.05）;在对侧肺的统计中,IMRT计划在最大剂量及D₅上可以得到比VMAT和3D-CRT更低的剂量（F=3.99、3.43,P<0.05）;VMAT、3D-CRT和IMRT计划所需机器跳数值分别为621.0±111.9、707.3±130.9、1161.4±315.6,计划间的差异有统计学意义（F=31.30,P<0.05）。VMAT、3D-CRT和IMRT计划所需治疗时间分别为（1.5±0.2）、（7.0±1.6）、（11.5±1.9）min。结论 IMRT和VMAT计划靶区剂量分布优于3D-CRT计划,而不提高患侧肺剂量。对于部分乳腺癌的放疗,容积弧形调强放疗在降低机器跳数和减少治疗时间方面具有明显优势。     

铅门跟随技术与铅门固定技术在直肠癌术前调强放疗中的剂量学比较

目的 研究固定射野动态调强放疗铅门跟随技术与铅门固定技术在直肠癌术前调强放疗中的剂量学差异.方法 采用两种治疗技术对10例直肠癌术前患者设计治疗计划.在95%体积的计划靶区(PTV)和计划肿瘤区(PGTV)满足处方剂量的前提下,尽量降低危及器官的剂量.比较两组治疗计划的剂量-体积直方图,评估靶区及危及器官的剂量分布.分别将两组治疗计划用电离室矩阵2D-Array 729和OCTAVIUS(PTW)模体进行剂量验证.结果 两组计划的靶区均达到临床处方剂量的要求.PTV和PGTV的最大剂量与平均剂量差异无统计学意义.铅门跟随动态调强计划中全身的V₅、V₁₀、V₂₀、V₃₀、V₄₀、D_mean以及双侧股骨头、膀胱、小肠的V₁₀、V₂₀、V₃₀和D_mean均低于铅门固定动态调强计划的相应值,差异有统计学意义(t=-2.32~12.24,P<0.05);双侧股骨头、膀胱、小肠的V₄₀以及D_max差异无统计学意义.采用γ-2D分析两组计划的通过率,两组计划均通过剂量验证.结论 直肠癌术前放疗患者采用固定射野动态调强放疗铅门跟随技术与铅门固定技术两种技术,其靶区和危及器官受量均能满足临床治疗要求,而铅门跟随技术能够更好地降低正常组织和危及器官的低剂量照射.     

国产自主研发二维水箱应用于螺旋断层 加速器束流质控的可行性研究

目的 使用国产二维水箱在螺旋断层加速器(TOMO)上测量百分深度剂量(PDD)和射野离轴剂量分布,探索其应用于TOMO束流质控的可行性。方法 使用国产二维水箱在TOMO上采集数据。选择40.0 cm × 1.0 cm、40.0 cm × 2.5 cm、40. 0 cm × 5.0 cm 3个射野测量水下1.5、5.0、10.0、15.0、20.0 cm深度的横向离轴剂量分布,选择25.0 cm × 1.0 cm、25.0 cm × 2.5 cm、25.0 cm × 5.0 cm 3个射野测量百分深度剂量曲线以及水下1.5、5.0、10.0、15.0、20.0 cm 深度的纵向离轴剂量分布,将所有数据导入TEMS软件进行γ分析。结果 以厂家金标准数据为基准,国产水箱PDD曲线在3个射野条件下基本吻合,建成区差异偏大,PDD₂₀/PDD₁₀相对偏差>1%。横向离轴剂量分布在3个不同射野条件下除20.0 cm外其他4个深度处所测四分之一高宽(FWQM)均<1%;在3个不同射野、不同深度条件下所测数据在2%/1 mm标准下γ值均>1。纵向离轴剂量分布除射野25.0 cm × 1.0 cm外,其他两个射野不同深度条件下所测半高宽(FWHM)均<1%;除射野25.0 cm × 5.0 cm、深度为15.0和20.0 cm外,其他不同射野不同深度条件下所测数据在2%/1%射野宽度的分析标准下γ值均>1。结论 国产二维水箱部分满足TOMO日常质控需求但仍需进一步优化改进以完全满足TOMO的临床验收需求。     

Investigation of optimum energies for chest imaging using film-screen and computed radiography

The purpose of the study was to compare the image quality of film-screen (FS) and computed radiography (CR) for adult chest examinations across a range of beam energies. A series of images of the CDRAD threshold contrast detail detection phantom were acquired for a range of tube potential and exposure levels with both CR and FS. The phantom was placed within 9 cm of Perspex to provide attenuation and realistic levels of scatter in the image. Hardcopy images of the phantom were scored from a masked light-box by two scorers. Threshold contrast indices were used to calculate a visibility index (VI). The relationships between dose and image quality for CR and for FS are fundamentally different. The improvements in VIs obtained using CR at 75 kVp and 90 kVp were found to be statistically significant compared with 125 kVp at matched effective dose levels. The relative performance of FS and CR varies as a function of energy owing to the different k-edges of each system. When changing from FS to CR, the use of lower tube potentials may allow image quality to be maintained whilst reducing effective dose. A tube voltage of 90 kVp is indicated by this work, but may require clinical verification.     

Evaluation of irradiation position in respiratory-gated radiotherapy using a phantom system simulating patient respiration

Respiratory-gated (RG) radiotherapy is useful for minimizing the irradiated volume of normal tissues resulting from the shifting of internal structures caused by respiratory movement. The present study was conducted to evaluate the treatment field in RG radiotherapy using a phantom system simulating patient respiration. A phantom system consisting of a 3-cm ball-shaped dummy tumor and film placed in a cork lung phantom was used (THK Co., Ltd.). RG radiotherapy was employed in the expiratory phase. The phantom movement distance was set to 2 cm, and the gating signals from a respiratory-gating system (AZ-733V, Anzai Medical) were varied. The settings used for irradiation were an X-ray energy of 6 MV (PRIMUS, Toshiba Medical Systems), treatment field of 5 cm x 7 cm, and X-ray dose of 100 MU. Images were acquired using an electric portal-imaging device (EPID, OPTIVUE 500), and the X-ray dose distribution was measured by the film method. In images acquired using the EPID, the tumor margins became less clear when the gating signals were increased, and the ITVs were determined to be 3.6 cm, 3.7 cm, 4.2 cm, and 5.1 cm at gating rates of 10%, 25%, 50%, and no gate, respectively. With regard to the X-ray dose distribution measured by the film method, the dose profile in the cephalocaudal direction was shifted toward the expiratory phase, and the degree of shift became greater when the gating signals were increased. In addition, the optimal treatment fields in the cephalocaudal direction were determined to be 5.2 cm, 5.2 cm, 5.6 cm, and 7.0 cm at gating rates of 10%, 25%, 50%, and no gating, respectively. Although RG radiotherapy is useful for improving the accuracy of radiotherapy, the characteristics of the RG radiotherapy technique and the radiotherapy system must be clearly understood when this method is to be employed in clinical practice. Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is now assuming a central role in radiotherapy, and properly identifying internal margins is an important issue for ensuring optimal treatment. The results of this study confirmed that it is necessary to ensure the optimal treatment field in radiotherapy of the trunk and that it is essential to confirm tumor position on the basis of image evaluation.     

Evaluation of absorbed dose in respiratory-gated radiotherapy using a phantom system that simulates patient respiration

Respiratory-gated (RG) radiotherapy is useful for minimizing the irradiated volume of normal tissues resulting from the shifting of internal structures caused by respiratory movement. In this technique, although improvement in the dose distribution of the target can be expected, the actual absorbed dose distribution is not clearly determined. Therefore, it is important to clarify the absorbed dose at the tumor and at the evaluation points according to the patient's respiration. We have developed a phantom system that simulates patient respiration (TNK Co., Ltd.), to evaluate the absorbed dose and ensure precise RG radiotherapy. Actual patient respiratory signals were obtained using a respiratory synchronization and gating system (AZ-733V, Anzai Medical). The acquired data were then transferred to a phantom system driven by a ball screw to simulate the shifting of internal structures caused by respiratory movement. We measured the absorbed dose using a micro-ionization chamber dosimeter and the dose distribution using the film method for RG irradiation at expiratory phase by using Linac (PRIMUS, Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.) X-rays. When the distance of phantom movement was set to the average patient respiratory movement distance of 1.5 cm, we first compared absorbed dose with RG irradiation with a gating signal of 50% or less, and without RG irradiation. The absorbed dose at the iso-center was improved by 6.0% and 4.4% at a field size of 4x4 cm2, and by 1.3% and 0.7% at a field size of 5x5 cm2 with an X-ray energy of 6 MV and 10 MV, respectively. There was, however, no dose change at a field size of 10x10 cm2 and 15x15 cm2. When the gating signal was reduced to 25% and 10%, absorbed dose was also improved. With regard to the flatness of the dose profile, no changes in dose distribution were observed in the lateral direction, e.g., beam flatness was within 1.4% and 1.6% at field sizes of 5x5 cm2 and 10x10 cm2, respectively, with an X-ray energy of 6 MV. In the cranial-caudal direction, the dose profile was relatively large even if a gating signal of 50% was applied, i.e., 8.1% and 10.4% at field sizes of 5x5 cm2 and 10x10 cm2, respectively. Beam flatness without RG was much worse, i.e., 37.8% and 38.2%, at field sizes of 5x5 cm2 and 10x10 cm2, respectively. In both cases, the dose was insufficient in the expiratory direction. Although RG radiotherapy is quite useful, the margins in the inspiratory and expiratory phases should be considered based on the level of gating signal and field size in order to formulate appropriate radiotherapy planning in terms of the shifting of internal structures. To ensure accurate radiotherapy, the characteristics of the RG irradiation technique and the radiotherapy equipment must be clearly understood when this technique is to be employed in clinical practice.     

Radiation dose in pelvic imaging

OBJECTIVE: To compare the radiation dose during pelvic x-ray examinations using computed radiography (CR) and film-screen (FS) radiography at various x-ray tube voltages (kV) and tube-current time product (mAs) values. METHODS: A pelvic phantom was imaged using FS and CR systems. The entrance surface dose was measured using an ionization chamber, and the gonadal dose and effective dose were calculated using the XDOSE program. The diagnostic quality of the images was assessed using a 5-point subjective scoring system. RESULTS: At standard kV values, the image quality did not vary significantly between the CR and the FS system, but at higher kV values, the CR images werefound to be of better quality than FS images. In addition, the lower limit of entrance skin dose consistent with diagnostically acceptable CR images was 50% lower than that for FS images. CONCLUSION: The gonadal dose and effective dose for pelvic x-ray examinations can be reduced by 50% when CR systems are used and appropriate exposure factors are established.     

Radiation dose and image quality in pediatric CT: effect of technical factors and phantom size and shape

PURPOSE: To evaluate effects of varying tube current and voltage on radiation dose, image noise, and image contrast with different phantom sizes and shapes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four round lucite phantoms with 8-32-cm diameters were scanned with multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) and 80-120 kVp. Radiation dose was based on CT dose index, image noise, and iodine contrast and measured with constant and variable tube currents that were age appropriate for each tube voltage. Radiation dose and image noise and contrast were compared in round and oval 24-cm phantoms. For various combinations of technical factors and phantom sizes and shapes, percentage differences were calculated for radiation dose and image noise and contrast. Associations between tube voltage and radiation dose, image noise, and image contrast in round and oval phantoms were determined by fitting second-degree polynomials to data. Differences in radiation dose and image noise and contrast, which were attributable to differences in tube voltage, were tested with paired t tests. RESULTS: With 165-mAs tube current, radiation doses with 140- and 80-kVp tube voltages were 103% ([41.9 mGy - 20.6 mGy]/20.6 mGy) and 58% ([10.2 mGy - 4.2 mGy]/10.1 mGy) higher in the 8-cm phantom than in the 32-cm phantom. When tube current was adapted for phantom size, radiation dose at 80 kVp in the 8-cm phantom was reduced by 82% ([10.1 mGy - 1.8 mGy]/10.1 mGy). In the 8-cm phantom, tube voltage was decreased from 120 to 80 kVp and tube current remained at 165 mAs, resulting in a 68% noise increase ([3.1 HU - 1.8 HU]/1.8 HU). With variable tube current, 80-kVp tube voltage in the 8-cm phantom led to a 138% noise increase ([7.3 HU - 3.1 HU]/3.1 HU). With reduced tube voltage, image contrast increased. In the 8-cm phantom, with a constant 165-mAs tube current and a decrease in tube voltage from 120 to 80 kVp, there was a 35% ([333 HU - 217 HU]/333 HU) increase in contrast. No difference was noted in radiation dose or noise between round and oval phantoms (P = .604 and P = .06, respectively), but a small statistically significant difference (1%) in contrast attenuation was demonstrated (P = .025). CONCLUSION: Reduced tube voltage for pediatric contrast material-enhanced CT reduces radiation dose and maintains image contrast. Image noise increases, but the effect is minimal in smaller phantoms. An additional reduction in tube current further reduces radiation dose.     

Evaluation of surface dose and image quality using the half-scan mode in chest computed tomography-guided interventional radiology: a phantom study

The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of the half-scan mode on image quality and physician exposure to radiation in computed tomography (CT)-guided interventional radiology (IVR) to the right lung using an intermittent CT fluoroscopy technique for measuring phantom surface dose distribution and image noise. For the half-scan mode, settings at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° were used as the central axis of the X-ray exposure range on the chest phantom. With the center of the ventral side in the chest phantom defined as 0°, optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters were attached at five positions at 30° intervals on the right side of the phantom surface. Securing a space for device operation during the procedure is necessary. The couch was shifted downward by 50 mm to reproduce the conditions used for measurement in clinical settings. Image noise and contrast-to-noise ratio were measured to assess image quality; subjective evaluation was performed using simulated lung nodules placed in the phantom. The phantom surface dose distribution in the measured half-scan mode depended on the angle setting. Additionally, the phantom surface dose in the half-scan mode at the 90° setting was reduced by approximately 50%; however, image quality was clearly decreased. In CT-guided IVR to the right lung, using a lead drape and half-scan mode according to the procedural situation is important.     

Optimization of dose distributions in moving-strip therapy using a minicomputer.

Optimized 60-Co dose distributions for the moving-strip technique were calculated for 3 patients using a PC-12 minicomputer program which corrects for field obliquity and changes in patient thickness. Beam profiles were measured using an ionization chamber in a water phantom. A Masonite phantom was constructed to simulate a patient and used to measure optimized and unoptimized midplane dose distributions by thermoluminescent dosimetry. Measured midplane doses agreed with computer-calculated doses within experimental error. The computer optimization technique improved dose uniformity, reducing the midplane dose variation from plus or minus 12-13% to plus or minus 3-4%.     

Fat-suppressed three-dimensional dual echo Dixon technique for contrast agent enhanced MRI

PURPOSE: To develop a fast T1-weighted, fat-suppressed three-dimensional dual echo Dixon technique and to demonstrate its use in contrast agent enhanced MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A product fast three-dimensional gradient echo pulse sequence was modified to acquire dual echoes after each RF excitation with water and fat signals in-phase (IP) and opposed-phase (OP), respectively. An on-line reconstruction algorithm was implemented to automatically generate separate water and fat images. The signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the new technique was compared to that of the product technique in phantom. In vivo abdomen and breast images of cancer patients were acquired at 1.5 Tesla using both techniques before and after intravenous administration of gadolinium contrast agent. RESULTS: In phantom, the new technique yields a close to the theoretically predicted 41% increase in SNR in comparison to the product technique without fat suppression (FS). In vivo images of the new technique show noticeably improved FS and image quality in comparison to the images acquired of the same patients using the product technique with FS. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional dual echo Dixon technique provides excellent image quality and can be used for T1-weighted, fat-suppressed imaging with contrast agent injection.     

Calculation of the dosage distributions in intracavitary radium applicators based on measurements of the directional dependence of the dose rate

A simple method for the calculation of dose distributions around intracavitary radium applicators has been developed. The cylindrical activity distribution of a single radium source is simulated by a row of point sources. The inverse square law for point sources is modified by two factors, one depending on direction and the other on distance, to account for absorption and scatter in the sources, applicator, and tissue. Factors depending on direction for Buchler applicators (intrauterine tubes, round plates, and cones) have been determined from measurements in a water phantom, because the angular dependence of dose rate in tissue differs from that in air owing to the influence of scatter.     

Dosimetry with phantom for total body irradiation(TBI)

Total body irradiation(TBI) is being used as a method of preparation for bone marrow transplantation(BMT). In TBI, the dose calculation is based on dosimetry using a phantom. We measured the basic dose with a phantom using a 10 MV X-rays. We confirmed the accuracy of the dose calculation performed in our facilities and investigated a method of more accurate dosimetry. We measured the variation in dose according to the size of the phantom and the depth using a tough water phantom, and examined the difference in TMR according to SCD, field size, and size of the phantom. Consequently, the dose has been changed regardless of the size of the phantom at larger than 80 x 30 x 30 cm(3), and it is about 1% larger than 30 x 30 x 30 cm(3). Also TMR has changed according to various conditions, including the size of the phantom, field size, and SCD. Therefore, it was found that dosimetry using the 30 x 30 x 30 cm(3) phantom leads to underestimation in dose calculation, and there is no difference in dose between the field size of 151.5 x 160 cm(2) and 151.5 x 80 cm(2). It is also necessary to consider the effect of the vertical size of the phantom.