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Objective:To propose an automatic planning approach for Eclipse15.6 planning system based on Eclipse scripting application programming interface (ESAPI) and evaluate its clinical application.Methods:20 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and 20 cases of rectal cancer were selected in the clinical planning. The developed automatic planning script SmartPlan and RapidPlan were used for automatic planning and dosimetric parameters were compared with manual planning. The differences were compared between two groups by using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results:The dosimetric results of automatic and manual plans could meet clinical requirements. There was no significant difference in target coverage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma planning between two groups ( P>0.05), and automatic plans were superior to manual plans in organs at risk sparing ( P<0.05). Except for the homogeneity index of PTV and the maximum dose of bowel in rectal cancer plans, the other dosimetric parameters of the automatic plans were better than those of the manual plans (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with the manual plans, the automatic plans have the same or similar target coverage, similar or better protection of organs at risk, and more convenient implementation. The developed SmartPlan based on ESAPI has clinical feasibility and effectiveness.
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Objective:In Shanghai Advanced Proton Therapy Facility (SAPT) of Ruijin Hospital Proton Therapy Center, the calculation accuracy of the commercial proton treatment planning system RayStation (V10), especially the accuracy of the proton range calculation, was measured and verified, aiming to provide reference for the clinical application of the treatment planning system.Methods:A head phantom was used to verify the calculation accuracy of RayStation. The phantom CT was imported into treatment planning system (TPS). The phantom was followed closely by a water tank with a one-liter cubic target. A single field verification plan with the prescribed dose of 200 cGy (relative biological effectiveness) was designed and implemented. Then, the measured distribution results were compared with the calculation results.Results:When the verification plan of the phantom was designed with the default settings of RayStation, the measured longitudinal dose distribution was approximately 4 mm deeper than that of TPS, indicating that RayStation overestimated the water equivalent thickness (WET) of the tissue substitute materials in the phantom. To study the range error, the actual beam was used to measure the WET of the soft tissue substitute material. The default setting of RayStation was fine-tuned according to the measured results. It was found that the error between the measured SOBP and TPS calculations was reduced to only 2 mm.Conclusions:Using the default setting of RayStation to calculate the stopping power of the phantom may cause a large range error. A method that combines tissue segmentation with the measured WET of the tissue substitute material is proposed to improve the range calculation accuracy of the TPS. The results show that the proposed method can improve the dose and range accuracy of the commercial TPS including RayStation for tissue substitute materials.
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Objective:To introduce the method and result of the modeling and preliminary dose verification of the treatment planning system used in the first domestic proton therapy device of China (Raystation 10B, a system of scientific research version with no available registration certificate) and to verify the modeling accuracy using dose verification result.Methods:The modeling method for a treatment planning system (TPS) mainly included the data acquisition and modeling of integrated depth dose (IDD) curves, the data acquisition and modeling of beam spot profiles in air, and the calibration and modeling of absolute dose by scanning a 10 cm ×10 cm square field with a spot spacing of 2.5 mm. By measuring the dose distributions in three cases with different complexity levels and comparing them with the dose distributions calculated using the TPS, this study verified and analyzed the modeling accuracy and proposed the requirements for beam parameters and the commissioning suggestions of the proton device.Results:The peak values of the IDD curves of low-energy regions fitted using the TPS model were less than the measured values, while those of medium- and high-energy regions fitted using the TPS model approximated the measured values. The range in all energy regions fitted accurately. For the three cases with different complexity levels, the deviation between the average dose calculated by the TPS and that measured was within ±5% (national standard for type tests of medical devices). Moreover, the DTA of high-dose-gradient areas was less than 3 mm.Conclusions:The modeling accuracy of the TPS generally meets the verification requirements. However, due to the low resolution of IDDs obtained by Monte Carlo simulation in the TPS model and the sharp Bragg peaks of low-energy regions, the IDD modeling accuracy of low-energy regions is insufficient.
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Objective:To build a systemic and automatic importing scheme for importing CT images and structures into the treatment planning systems (TPSs) of Eclipse and Monaco.Methods:Based on two TPSs of Eclipse and Monaco, the files of CT images and structures were automatically transported from OAR auto-delineation system to the importing directory of these two TPSs using batch script in Windows system. Following the standard importing procedures of these two TPSs, the automatically importing script of CT images and structures were developed using the application of UiBot. Finally, the CT images and structures were imported into these two TPSs opportunely.Results:By comparing the importing time using script and manual methods, the script not only achieved auto-importing CT images and structures into TPSs, but also yielded almost the same efficiency to manual method. The number of imaging layers in most patients was between 130 and 180, and the average manual and automatic importing time within this interval was 76 s and 75 s.Conclusions:Automatic scripts can be developed by using the automation function of UiBot combined with the actual problems of radiotherapy and repeated workflow. The efficiency of radiotherapy work can be significantly improved. Manual and time costs can be saved. It provides a novel alternative for the automation of radiotherapy procedures.
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@#This is a retrospective study, the organ doses of the bladder and the rectum were compared between routine PLATO V14.2.3 (Nucletron B.V., Veenendaal, The Netherlands) and newer version software Oncentra MasterPlan (OMP) V4.3 (Nucletron B.V., Veenendaal, The Netherlands) treatment planning systems (TPS). The treatment data of 32 intracavitary brachytherapy patients at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from January 2010 to June 2015 were used. These data sets were used for catheter reconstruction for both PLATO and OMP TPS followed by independent verification using Excel. There was no significant difference in mean doses to organs at risk (OARs) that calculated by both TPS (p>0.05). The mean percentage of doses calculated by PLATO TPS for bladder and rectum were 66.58 ± 27.42% and 46.27 ± 14.47%, respectively. While, the mean percentage of doses for bladder and rectum calculated by OMP TPS were 65.68 ± 24.24% and 46.46 ± 16.66%, respectively. The mean percentage difference in doses comparison between independent verification calculation and PLATO TPS was 1.96 ± 6.00% and then became 6.37 ± 5.17% when it was compared with OMP TPS. Overall, the dose calculation differences for both versions of TPS were within the range recommended by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The dose calculations of the two treatment planning systems showed good agreement and both could be used in planning intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer. Whereas, Excel based independent verification is suitable to be implemented as routine dose verification programme prior to treatment delivery.
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Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the clinical effect and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (US-PMWA) assisted by three-dimensional (3D) visualization operative treatment planning system in larger adrenal metastasis (LAM) (D ≥ 4 cm). Materials and Methods: From Dec 2011 to Dec 2017, 12 consecutive LAM patients with pathologically proven with a mean diameter of 5.2±1.3cm (range 4.1-7.6) were treated. Artificial ascites and thermal monitoring system as ancillary technique were used. The patients were followed up with imagings and complications were recorded. Results: The median follow-up period was 31 months (ranged 6–52 m). All LAM achieved completely ablation according to the 3D planning preoperation. Complete ablation was achieved in 10 (10/12, 83.3%) patients by one session and 2 patients (2/12, 16.7%) by two sessions. Recurrence was detected at the treated site in 3 patients (3/12, 25.0%) at 5, 9, and 13 months after ablation and received another ablation. Progression of metastasis disease at extra-adrenal sites occurred in 9 patients (9/12, 75%). Seven (7/12, 58.3%) patients died during the follow-up period. Therefore, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year local tumor control rates were 83.3%, 75.0%, and 75.0%, and 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year overall survival rates were 91.7%, 75.0%, 50.0%, and 41.7%, respectively. No severe complications related to ablation occurred, except 3 (3/12, 25%) patients developed hypertension during ablation. Conclusions: US-PMWA assisted by 3D visualization preoperative treatment planning system maybe a safe and efficient therapy for LAM, which could promote ablation precision, improve the clinical outcomes
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Objective@#To report an implementation method and results of an independent brachytherapy dose verification software (DVS).@*Methods@#The DVS was developed based on Visual C+ + and the modular structure design was adopted. The DICOM RT files exported from the treatment planning system (TPS) were automatically loaded into the DVS. The TG-43 formalism was employed for dose calculation. Six cervical cancer patients who underwent brachytherapy were retrospectively selected to test the DVS. Different applicators were utilized for each patient. Dosimetric parameters and γ analysis (0.1cm, 5%) were used to evaluate the dose difference between the DVS and the TPS.@*Results@#Compared with the TPS dose, the γ pass rates of the doses calculated by the DVS were higher than 98%. For CTV, the dosimetric differences were less than 0.29% and 0.53% for D100% and D90%. For bladder, rectum and sigmoid, the agreement of D0.1cm3, D1cm3 and D2cm3 within a 0.5% level.@*Conclusion@#With minimal human-computer interactions, the DVS can verify the accuracy of dose calculated by TPS for brachytherapy.
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Objective To report an implementation method and results of an independent brachytherapy dose verification software (DVS).Methods The DVS was developed based on Visual C++ and the modular structure design was adopted.The DICOM RT files exported from the treatment planning system (TPS) were automatically loaded into the DVS.The TG-43 formalism was employed for dose calculation.Six cervical cancer patients who underwent brachytherapy were retrospectively selected to test the DVS.Different applicators were utilized for each patient.Dosimetric parameters and γ analysis (0.1 cm,5％) were used to evaluate the dose difference between the DVS and the TPS.Results Compared with the TPS dose,the γ pass rates of the doses calculated by the DVS were higher than 98％.For CTV,the dosimetric differences were less than 0.29％ and 0.53％ for D100％ and D90％.For bladder,rectum and sigmoid,the agreement of D0.1cm3,D1cm3 and D2cm3 within a 0.5％ level.Conclusion With minimal human-computer interactions,the DVS can verify the accuracy of dose calculated by TPS for brachytherapy.
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Aim: The aim was to measure doses of eyes and lenses in the presence and absence of shield during whole brain irradiation (WBI). In addition, the dose calculations accuracy of radiation therapy dose plan treatment planning system (TPS) in dose calculation of the eyes and lenses in WBI was evaluated. Materials and Methods: To measure the eyes and lenses doses during WBI, an inhomogeneous phantom of human head was used. Then, the eyes and lenses doses in the presence and absence of shield were measured by EBT3 film. Results: In single fraction with 200 cGy to reference point, average doses received by the left and right eyes in the absence of shield were 20 ± 1.5 and 22 ± 1.0 cGy, respectively, and for the left and right eyes in the presence of shield were 18 ± 2.2 and 21 ± 2 cGy, respectively. In addition, the average dose received by the left and right lenses in the absence of shield were 19.5 ± 0.5 and 18.5 ± 0.5 cGy, respectively, and for the left and right lenses in the presence of shield were 20.5 ± 1.5 and 19.5 ± 1.5 cGy, respectively. The results showed the TPS compared to the film underestimates doses for the eyes and lenses. Conclusion: The average dose received by the eyes and lenses during WBI were estimated around 9–11% of prescribed dose. According to the results, there is probability of radiation-induced cataractogenesis during WBI. By investigating the effect of shield on the lenses and eyes doses, using shield during WBI is not recommended. In addition, the results showed dose calculation accuracy of the TPS for the estimation of doses received by the eyes and lenses during WBI is not acceptable
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Objective@#To investigate the effect of simple artifacts on the calculation of radiation dose in actual clinical operations by the aid of artificially caused CT artifacts.@*Methods@#The phantom was scanned using CT before and after replacing the titanium alloy component. Then, the CT values were measured at different distances before and after replacement. After correcting the CT value of the titanium alloy region to the CT value of the water phantom, the doses to the phantom were calculated by using Varian′s AAA algorithm, AXB algorithm and Pinnacle system′s CCC algorithm. The absolute dose values at different distances were furtherly analyzed.@*Results@#Varian system was consistent with Pinnacle system in evaluating the CT values. When the CT value deviated by less than 30 HU for a uniform phantom, the dose deviations of the three different algorithms were within 6.0 %-12.0 % at a distance of 0.5 cm from the body surface, and less than 1.0% at a distance of more than 1.5 cm from the body surface. When the CT value deviated by 15 HU for the lung phantom, both Varian′s AAA algorithm and Varian′s AXB algorithm showed about 1.0% dose deviation. However, the CCC algorithm of the Pinnacle system had a significant difference (5.0%) in dose values under the same conditions.@*Conclusions@#CT artifacts have noticeable effects on the calculation of radiation dose and change tissue dose distribution which may result in insufficient or excessive exposure doses.
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Objective Because of statistical noise in Monte Carlo dose calculations,the effective point doses may not be accurately calculated.A user-defined sphere volume was adopted to substitute the effective point to take sphere sampling around the effective point,which minimize the random errors and improve the accuracy of statistical dose.Methods Direct dose measurements were performed at 0°and 90° using a 0.125 cm3 Semiflex ionization chamber (IC) 31010 isocentrically placed in the center of a homogeneous Cylindric sliced RW3 phantom (PTW,Germany).In the scanned CT phantom series,the sensitive volume length of the IC (6.5 mm) was delineated and the isocenter was defined as the simulated effective point.All beams were simulated in the treatment planning system (TPS) in accordance to the measured model.The grid spacing was calculated by 2 mm voxels and the relative standard deviation should be ≤ 0.5％.The statistical and measured doses were statistically compared among three IC models with different electron densities (ED;esophageal lumen ED =0.210 g/cm3 for model A,air ED =0.001 g/cm3 for model B and the default CT scanned ED for model C) at different sampling sphere radius (2.5,2.0,1.5 and 1.0 mm) to evaluate the effect of Monte Carlo.calculation uncertainty upon the dose accuracy.Results In the Monaco TPS,the statistical value was in the highest accordance with the measured value with an absolute average deviation of 0.49％ when the IC was set as esophageal lumen ED =0.210 g/cm3 and the sampling sphere radius was 1.5 mm.When the IC was set as air ED=0.001 g/cm3 and default CT scanned ED,and,the recommended statistical sampling sphere radius was 2.5 mm,the absolute average deviations were 0.61％ and 0.70％.Conclusion In the Monaco TPS,the calculation model with an ED of 0.210 g/cm3 and a sampling radius of 1.5 mm is recommended for the ionization chamber 31010 to substitute the effective point dose measurement to decrease the random stochastic errors of Monte Carlo.
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Objective To investigate the dosimetric effect of carbon fiber couch through virtual simulation in the XiO treatment planning system (TPS).Methods A treatment couch model of iBEAM evo Extension 650 was scanned with a big bore spiral CT and its contour was stored in the XiO TPS.The attenuation coefficient of couch was obtained by measuring the attenuated dose with and without a solid water phantom on the couch at different gantry angles (100°-180°).The optimal relative electron density (RED) values of the carbon fiber (CF) cover and foam core (FC) were adjusted according to the comparison between measured and simulated attenuation dose.The effects of the couch in the TPS on pass rate were evaluated by Octavius 4D phantom with 10 cases with lung cancer.Results The optimal RED values of CF and FC were 0.75 and 0.10 g/cm3,respectively.The measured attenuation error was the maximal at gantry angle of 120° (4.84％) without the treatment couch in the TPS.The average measured attenuation errors without the couch in the TPS dropped significantly from (2.54 ± 1.48) ％ to (-0.04 ± 0.36) ％ after inclusion of the treatment couch during dose calculation (Z =-3.621,P ＜ 0.05).The three-dimensional dose verification γ pass rate (3 mm/3％) without the couch increased significantly from (91.79± 1.25)％ to (94.74± 1.69)％ after inclusion of the couch in the dose calculation (t =6.027,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The effect of couch on the attenuation dose is significant.Inclusion of a virtual model of couch in XiO TPS can simulate the attenuation effect properly and improve the accuracy of dose calculation.
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Objective To assess the feasibility of secondary check by LinaTech TiGRT treatment planning systems.Methods Choosing the Linatech TiGRT treatment planning system,researched and developed by Linatech company,as the third-party check tools.First,using Linatech TPS for recomputing treatment plans for geometrical phantoms designed in TG-119 and patients.after computation,compared the point dose with the measured data of phantoms (Using chameber No.2571 to measure point dose) and original plans.Using PTW verisoft with a criteria of 3% dose difference and 5 mm distance to agreement to assess the dose distribution on center level.After then,you can assess the accuracy of treatment plans.Results Tiny volume changes were found in ROI,especially in small size phantoms orcuspidal regions.For comparing measured data with recomputed plans and original plans,the dose data were found basically identical in TG-119 phantoms.And for patients,the differences between recomputed plans and AAA original plans or AXB original plans were smaller in breast cancer,but they were even bigger innasopharynx cancer,all patient cases showed a gamma passing rate more than 90%.The gamma passing rate of AAA original plans and AXB original plans were 95.6% and 97.53% for breast cancer,and 94.67% and 96.83% for nasopharynx cancer.Conclusions The method of utilizing the LinaTech TiGRT treatment planning system as a third-party check tools to assess the accuracy of plans is feasible,and the validation process is convenient,but some functions still need to improve and the scope of differences still need more patient cases to determine.
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Objective To compare the planned radiation dose and the actual dose received after 125I radioactive seeds implantation supported by coplanar template (CPT) in lung cancer patients with mediastinal node metastases 4R,and to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Methods Totally 32 patients with lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastases 4R who had been diagnosed via cellular pathology studies were selected from January 2008 to December 2014.The mediastinal lymph node metastases were treated by CPT-assisted 125I radioactive seed implantation.Digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) data were acquired by chest CT scan before implantation,brachytherapy radiation treatment planning system (BTPS) was introduced to carry out the plan,and the prescribed dose(PD) was 120 Gy.CPT was used to control the precision of needle penetration and implantation of radioactive seeds.Computer tomography (CT) was used to ensure the correct position of needles and radioactive seeds.Dose evaluation was performed immediately after implantation and was compared with planned dose using paired t-test.The 6-months postoperative chest CT was conducted to evaluate treatment efficacy according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors(RECIST Version 1.1).Results All patients went through implantation procedure successfully.Dose evaluation after implantation was as followed.The average dose received (231.9 ±29.6)Gy,the dose received by 90％ of the target(D90) (150.8 ± 16.6) Gy,the dose received by 100％ of the target(D100) (100.4 ± 12.6)Gy,the volume of 100％PD covering the target(V100)(94.1 ± 2.6) ％,the volume of 200％ PD covering the target(V200) (33.0 ± 5.7) ％,the conformal index (CI) 0.75 ±0.06,the external index(EI) (22.7 ± 5.8)％,the average dose received by the superior vena cava (19.3 ± 7.2)Gy,and the average dose received by aorta (12.1 ± 5.1)Gy.Efficacy was followed for 6 months after implantation and the effective rate was 84.37％.There was no serious complications (such as radioactive lung injury,major vascular injury,bleeding,and et al.) occurred in follow-up period.Conclusions CPT assisted CT guided 125I radioactive seed imnplantation in treating mediastinal node metastases 4R can achieve preoperative BTPS,minimize major vascular or organ injury.It is an accurate,effective and safe treatment approach and may be of great value to standardize the procedure of radioactive seed implantation in mediastinal metastases.
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Objective To divide computed tomography (CT) values into different ranges and investigate the influence of CT value division on dose calculation, and to propose a method to combine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with assigned CT values.Methods Ten CT images each were collected from patients with head and neck, chest, and pelvic tumors.Random sampling was performed for the CT values of main tissues or organs at the three parts, and then the mean CT value of each tissue or organ was calculated to divide the CT values into different ranges.A virtual phantom was built in the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system, and for the prescribed dose of 100 cGy, the machine output was recorded at different CT values.The influence of different CT value ranges on dose calculation was analyzed.The treatment plans of intensity-modulated radiotherapy were selected from 5 cervical cancer patients, and new CT values were assigned to the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk to obtain new CT images.The plans were transferred to the new CT images and compared with the results on the original CT images in terms of dosimetric parameters.Results After dividing the CT values into different ranges and verifying the results in dose calculation, the CT values corresponding to different human tissues or organs were-100 to 100 HU.The influence of CT value variation on dose calculation was within 3%.In the same treatment plan, there were small differences in dosimetric parameters between new CT images and original CT images.Dmax, Dmean, D98%, D95%, D5%, and D2% of PTV were all below 3%, and Dmax and Dmean of the bladder, rectum, small intestine, femoral head, and bone marrow were below 2%.Conclusions The influence of CT value division on dose calculation in the treatment planning for pelvic tumors is acceptable, so it can be used in combination with MRI.
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Objective To analyze the differences between calculated and actual volumes of regions of interest ( ROIs) in three treatment planning systems ( TPSs):PrecisePlan, Xio, and Oncentra, to transfer different ROIs and compare their calculated volume between the three TPSs, and to provide a basis for clinical application. Methods Different sizes of ROIs were delineated on 5 sets of computed tomography ( CT) images with different slice thickness. Square and round regions with different slice numbers were contoured in a homogeneous phantom. Three groups of patients ( n=5) with head and neck tumor, chest and abdomen tumor, and pelvic tumor, respectively, were enrolled as subjects. All the ROIs were independently transferred back and forth between three TPSs and different workstations with the same system in DICOM RT format. The changes in actual and calculated ROI volumes were evaluated after back and forth transfer. Results There was a significant positive linear correlation between the calculated volume, slice thickness, slice number, and actual volume of ROI in each TPS ( PrecisePlan:R2=0. 994, P<0. 01;Xio:R2=0. 997, P<0. 01;Oncentra:R2=0. 995, P<0. 01) . There were significant differences in all calculated ROI volumes of the head, chest and abdomen between the three TPS ( P<0. 05) except for the calculated ROI volumes of the chest and abdomen between Oncentra and Xio ( P=0. 114 ) . Conclusions The variations in volume calculation algorithm and slice thickness are the main causes of differences in calculated ROI volume. Particularly, small?volume ROIs have the greatest variation in calculated volume. To avoid a secondary reconstruction of ROI volume, it is recommended to transfer ROI back and forth between dose calculation workstations with the same TPS.
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Objective@#To calculate out the Hausdorff distance based on the scripting in RayStation treatment planning system, which was then applied in measuring the deformation error of brain stem during image automatic registration between CT and MR.@*Methods@#Scripting was edited in RayStation system (version 4.7) by using IronPython. The set of point coordinates on the contour of any two region of interest (ROI) had been found firstly, then the Hausdorff distance between the two point sets was calculated out. A graphical user interface (GUI) was designed by using XAML to acquire the visualized output of Hausdorff distance. GUI appeared when the script was run, where two ROIs was selected, then the corresponding Hausdorff distance and the running time were displayed by pressing the "Calculate" button.@*Results@#The mean Hausdorff distance of brain stem in 20 patients with head and neck neoplasms was 1.20 cm while the mean elapsed time was 11.01s.@*Conclusions@#Hausdorff distance of any two ROIs can be calculated out by using the developed method. GUI is designed to realize the visual interaction with RayStation system. Therefore, the RayStation system satisfies the demands of Hausdorff distance calculation in both clinical and research work.
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Objective To investigate the impacts of the CT value-electron density transformation curves on radiotherapy dosage for different scanning sites.Methods The CT value-electron density transformation curves under head,chest and abdomen modes were obtained with CIRS062 nonuniform equivalent phantom,a CT simulator and the same scanning parameters.Totally 8 patients with glioma,lung cancer or gastric cancer had the radiotherapy dosages calculated with Pinnacle 9.8 TPS and CT value-electron density transformation curve under the three modes,so as to analyze the dosage deviation involving in hop value as well as the dose volume histogram (DVH) for the target area and organs at risk (OAR).Results With the scanning parameters kept the same,the head area had no significant differences in the CT value-electron density transformation curve and exposure dosage with the abdomen area (P＞0.05),while the head and abdomen areas had statistical differences in the CT value-electron density transformation curve with the chest area (P＜0.05).CT values varied greatly at the high-density tissue,while the dosage deviations at the target area and OAR were both less than 2％.Conclusion CT value-electron density transformation curve for different scanning sites has influences on radiotherapy dosage,and head and chest tumors should have the dosage calculation based on the CT value-electron density transformation curve with corresponding scanning modes to ensure dosage computation precision during treatment planning.
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Objective To analyze the effect of needle arrangement on the lung dose in interstitial brachytherapy for lung cancer. Methods For 15 patients undergoing interstitial brachytherapy for lung cancer, a virtual radiotherapy plan in which needle arrangement was not restricted by the ribs was designed and compared with the original plan. For the two plans, V5, V20, V30, and mean lung dose(MLD)of the whole lung were determined when the prescribed doses were 10,30, 60, and 120 Gy, respectively. The data were analyzed by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results The lung V5,V20, V30, and MLD were significantly smaller in the virtual plan than in the actual plan(all P<0.05). Conclusions Irregular needle arrangement prevents a further reduction in the lung dose in interstitial brachytherapy for lung cancer. In the implantation surgery, therefore, the needles should be arranged as regularly as possible.
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Objective To study the dosimetric effect of two source patterns, including equal spacing and peripheral dense intermediate sparse by assuming a tumor shrinking speed of 20%per month after 125 I seed implantation. Methods A virtual cylindrical tumor with 4 cm in height and 5 cm in diameter was contoured on a three-dimensional treatment planning system ( TPS ) . Two groups of preoperative plans were made with 1. 85 × 107 Bq 125 I seeds using two source patterns respectively. It was assumed that the tumor height was unchanged, while the diameter of tumor would decrease at a speed of 20%per month, and the locations of seeds would concentrate towards the tumor core. The 90%target volume dose ( D90 ) , the ratio of 90%isodose volume over the target volume ( V90 ) , and the ratio of 150%isodose volume over the target volume (V150) were calculated at 0, 1, 2, 3 months after 125I implantation respectively. Results In equal spacing group, 85 seeds were implanted. The values of D90 were 126. 20, 130. 41, 133. 82 and 139. 48 Gy after 0, 1, 2 and 3 months respectively. The values of V90 were 97. 0%, 98. 1%, 99. 3%and 100%, while those of V150 were 70. 2%, 69. 9%, 71. 1% and 71. 5%. The dense in-periphery and sparse-in the middle group was loaded with 75 seeds. The D90 values were 126. 46, 125. 41, 123. 50 and 128. 83 Gy, the V9095. 2%, 95. 7%, 94. 9%and 97. 6%, and the V15052. 8%, 60. 4%, 62. 7%and 59. 3%after 0, 1, 2 and 3 months, respectiviely. Conclusions When the tumor diameter reduces at a rate of 20%per month after 125 I seed implantation, the expected tumor dose absorption will gradually increase using the equal spacing sources pattern. However, the expected dose does not vary withsource distribution of dense-in the-surrounding and sparse-in-middle, which also reduces high dose volume more than the equal spacing pattern.