• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyze the dose distribution when wedge filter is used in the various tissue electron density materials. The dose distribution was assessed that the enhanced dynamic wedge filter and physical wedge filter were used in the solid water phantom, cork phantom, and air cavity. The film dosimetry was suitable simple to measure 2D dose distribution. Therefore, the radiochromic films (Gafchromic EBT2, ISP, NJ, USA) were selected to measure and to analyze the dose distributions. A linear accelerator using 6 MV photon were irradiated to field size of $10{\times}10cm^2$ with 400 MUs. The dose distributions of EBT2 films were analyzed the in-field area and penumbra regions by using dose analysis program. In the dose distributions of wedge field, the dose from a physical wedge was higher than that from a dynamic wedge at the same electron density materials. A dose distributions of wedge type in the solid water phantom and the cork phantom were in agreements with 2%. However, the dose distribution in air cavity showed the large difference with those in the solid water phantom or cork phantom dose distributions. Dose distribution of wedge field in air cavity was not shown the wedge effect. The penumbra width, out of the field of thick and thin, was observed larger from 1 cm to 2 cm at the thick end. The penumbra of physical wedge filter was much larger average 6% than the dynamic wedge filter. If the physical wedge filter is used, the dose was increased to effect the scatter that interacted with photon and physical wedge. In the case of difference in electron like the soft tissue, lung, and air, the transmission, absorption, and scattering were changed in the medium at high energy photon. Therefore, the treatment at the difference electron density should be inhomogeneity correction in treatment planning system.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.277-283
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• 1995

Purpose : This study was performed to measure dose alteration at the air-tissue interface resulting from rebuild-up to the loss of charged particle equilibrium in the tissues around the air-tissue interfaces. Materials and Methods : The 6 and 10-MV photon beam in dual energy linear accelerator were used to measure the surface dose at the air-tissue interface The polystyrene phantom sized $25{\times}25{\times}5\;cm^3$ and a water phantom sized $29{\times}29{\times}48\;cm^3$ which incorporates a parallel-plate ionization chamber in the distal side of air gap were used in this study. The treatment field sizes were $5{\times}5\;cm^2,\;10{\times}10\;cm^2\;and\;20{\times}20\;cm^2$. Air cavity thickness was variable from 10 mm to 50 mm. The observed-expected ratio (OER) was defined as the ratio of dose measured at the distal junction that is air-tissue interface to the dose measured at the same point in a homogeneous phantom. Results : In this experiment, the result of OER was close or slightly over than 1.0 for the large field size but much less (about 0.565) than 1.0 for the small field size in both photon energy. The factors to affect the dose distribution at the air-tissue interface were the field size, the thickness of air cavity. and the photon energy. Conclusion : Thus, the radiation oncologist should take into account dose reduction at the air-tissue interface when planning the head and neck cancer especially pharynx and laryngeal lesions, because the dose can be less nearly $29{\%}$ than predicted value.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 1983

To evaluate the usefulness of computed tomography (CT) in radiotherapy treatment planning in malignant tumors of thoracic cage, the computer generated dose distributions were compared between plans based on conventional studies and those based on CT scan. 22 cases of thoracic malignancies, 15 lung cancers and 7 esophageal cancers, diagnosed and treated in Department of Therapeutic Radiology of Seoul National University Hospital from September, 1982 to April, 1983, were analyzed. In lung cancers, dose distribution in plans using AP, PA parallel opposing ports with posterior spinal cord block and in plans using box technique both based on conventional studies were compared with dose distribution using AP, PA and two oblique ports based on CT scan. In esophageal cancers, dose distribution in plans based on conventional studies and those based on CT scans, both using 3 port technique were compared. The results are as follows: 1. Parallel opposing field technique were inadequate in all cases of lung cancers, as portion of primary tumor in 13 of 15 cases and portion of mediastinum in all were out of high dose volume. 2. Box technique was inadequate in 5 of 15 lung cancers as portion of primary tumor was not covered and in every case the irradiated normal lung volume was quite large. 3. Plans based on CT scan were superior to those based on conventional studies as tumor was demarcated better with CT and so complete coverage of tumor and preservation of more normal lung volume could be made. 4. In 1 case of lung cancer, tumor localization was nearly impossible with conventional studies, but after CT scan tumor was more clearly defined and localized. 5. In 1 of 7 esophageal cancers, the radiation volume should be increased for marginal coverage after CT scan. 6. Depth dose correction for tissue inhomogeneity is possible with CT, and exact tumor dose can be calculated. As a result radiotherapy treatment planning based on CT scan has a pteat advantage over that based on conventional studies.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2006

Purpose: To study effectiveness of heterogeneity correction of internal-body inhomogeneities and patient positioning immobilizers in dose calculation, using images obtained from CT-Simulator. Materials and Methods: A water phantom($250{\times}250{\times}250mm^3$) was fabricated and, to simulate various inhomogeneity, 1) bone 2) metal 3) contrast media 4) immobilization devices(Head holder/pillow/Vac-lok) were inserted in it. And then, CT scans were peformed. The CT-images were input to Radiation Treatment Planning System(RTPS) and the MUs, to give 100 cGy at 10 cm depth with isocentric standard setup(Field Size=$10{\times}10cm^2$, SAD=100 cm), were calculated for various energies(4, 6, 10 MV X-ray). The calculated MUs based on various CT-images of inhomogeneities were compared and analyzed. Results: Heterogeneity correction factors were compared for different materials. The correction factors were $2.7{\sim}5.3%$ for bone, $2.7{\sim}3.8%$ for metal materials, $0.9{\sim}2.3%$ for contrast media, $0.9{\sim}2.3%$ for Head-holder, $3.5{\sim}6.9%$ for Head holder+pillow, and $0.9{\sim}1.5%$ for Vac-lok. Conclusion: It is revealed that the heterogeneity correction factor calculated from internal-body inhomogeneities have various values and have no consistency. and with increasing number of beam ports, the differences can be reduced to under 1%, so, it can be disregarded. On the other hand, heterogeneity correction from immobilizers must be regarded enough to minimize inaccuracy of dose calculation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 1991

An interstitial radiofrequency needle electrode system was constructed for interstitial heating of brain tissue. Radiofrequency electrodes with Thermotron RF 8 were tested in an agar phantom and in a normal canine brain to determine how variations in physical factors affected temperature distributions. Temperature distributions were checked after heating with 1 mm diameter needle electrode implants on the corners of 1 and 2 cm squares in a phantom and plot isotherms for various electrodes arrangement. We observed that the 1 cm square array would heat a volume with a 1.25 cm radius circular field cross section to therapeutic temperatures ($90\%$ relative SAR using Tm) and the 2 cm square array with a 1.75 cm radius rectangular field with central inhomogeneity. With 2 cm long electrode implants, we observed that the 1 cm square array would heat a 3 cm long sagittal section to therapeutic temperature ($90\%$ relative SAR using Tm). We found that radiofrequency electrodes could be selected to match the length of the heating area without affecting its performance. The histopathological changes associated with RF heating of normal canine brains have been correlated with thermal distributions. RF needle electrode heating was applied for 50min to generate tissue temperatures of $43^{\circ}C$. We obtained a quarter of the heated tissue material immediately after heating and sacrificed at intervals from $7\sim30$days. The acute stage (immediately after heating) was demonstrated by liquefactive necrosis, pyknosis of neuronal element in the gray matter and by some polymer-phonuclear leukocytes infiltration. The appearance of lipid-laden macrophages surrounding the area of liquefaction necrosis was demonstrated in all three sacrificed dogs. Mild gliosis occurring around the necrosis was demonstrated in the last sacrificed (Days 30) canine brain.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 1999

In this paper, as a preliminary study for developing a full 3D electron dose calculation algorithm, We developed 2.5D electron dose calculation algorithm by extending 2D pencil-beam model to consider three dimensional geometry such as air-gap and obliquity appropriately. The dose calculation algorithm was implemented using the IDL5.2(Research Systems Inc., USA), For calculation of the Hogstrom's pencil-beam algorithm, the measured data of the central-axis depth-dose for 12 MeV(Siemens M6740) and the linear stopping power and the linear scattering power of water and air from ICRU report 35 was used. To evaluate the accuracy of the implemented program, we compared the calculated dose distribution with the film measurements in the three situations; the normal incident beam, the 45$^{\circ}$ oblique incident beam, and the beam incident on the pit-shaped phantom. As results, about 120 seconds had been required on the PC (Pentium III 450MHz) to calculate dose distribution of a single beam. It needs some optimizing methods to speed up the dose calculation. For the accuracy of dose calculation, in the case of the normal incident beam of the regular and irregular shaped field, at the rapid dose gradient region of penumbra, the errors were within $\pm$3 mm and the dose profiles were agreed within 5%. However, the discrepancy between the calculation and the measurement were about 10% for the oblique incident beam and the beam incident on the pit-shaped phantom. In conclusions, we expended 2D pencil-beam algorithm to take into account the three dimensional geometry of the patient. And also, as well as the dose calculation of irregular field, the irregular shaped body contour and the air-gap could be considered appropriately in the implemented program. In the near future, the more accurate algorithm will be implemented considering inhomogeneity correction using CT, and at that time, the program can be used as a tool for educational and research purpose. This study was supported by a grant (＃HMP-98-G-1-016) of the HAN(Highly Advanced National) Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, R.O.K.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2006

Purpose: To demonstrate that water bolus in the patient surface can decrease the dose inhomogeneity by patient surface large tissue defect when the surface is in an electron-beam field. And We tried to find a easy way to water control. Methods and Materials: To demonstrate the use of water bolus in the irregular surface clinically, the case of a patient with myxofibrosarcoma of the chest wall who was treated with electrons. We obtained dose distribution using missing tissue option of PINACLE 6.2b (ADAC, USA). We fabricate a Mev-green for water bolus in patient with defect of tissue. Then put the water bolus which is vinyl packed water into the designed Mev-green. We peformed CT scan with CT-simulator. Three-dimensional (3D) dose distributions with and without water bolus in the large irregular chest wall were calculated for a representative patient. Resulting dose distributions and dose-volume histograms of water bolus were compared with missing tissue option and non bolus plans. We fabricate a new water control device. Results: Controlled Water bolus markedly decrease the dose heterogeneity, and minimizes normal tissue exposure caused by the surface irregularities of the chest wall mass. In the test case, The non bolus plan has a maximum target dose of 132%. After applying water bolus, the maximum target dose has been reduced substantially to 110.4%. The maximum target dose was reduced by 21.6% using this technique. Conclusion: The results showed that controlled water bolus could significantly improve the dose homogeneity in the PTV for patients treated with electron therapy using water control device. This technique may reduce the incidence of normal organ complications that occur after electron-beam therapy in irregular surface. And our new device shows handiness of water control.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.101-106
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• 2009

Purpose of this study is to compare the signal intensity (SI) and CNR with T1 weighted image using FLASH at 3T abdominal MRI by varying flip angle (FA). Totally 20 patients (male : 12, female : 8, Age : $28{\sim}63$ years with mean : 51) were examined by 3 Tesla MR scanner (Magnetom Tim Trio, SIEMENS, Germany) with 8 channel body array coil between september and October 2008. Imaging parameters were as follows : FLASH sequence, TR : 120 ms, TE : minimum, FOV (field of view) : $360{\times}300\;mm$, Matrix : $256{\times}224$, slice : 6 mm, scan time : 15 sec and Breath-hold technique. Abdominal image, with a 50 ml syringe filled with water placed in the FOV measuring the water signal, were acquired with varying FA through $10^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ with $10^{\circ}$ interval. SI's were measured three times at liver parenchyme, water, spleen and background and averaged. The CNR's were measured between the ROIs (region of interest). Statistic analysis was performed with ANOVA test using SPSS software (version 17.0). Less than FA $30^{\circ}$, abdominal images were severely inhomogeneity. Especially, T1 effect of water signal was weak. As the flip angle increased, the signal intensity decreased at all the regions. Especially, flip angle of the highest signal intensity was observed with $40^{\circ}$ at the liver parenchyme, $20^{\circ}$ at water, $30^{\circ}$ at the spleen, respectively. The CNR between liver and water was -60.92 at FA $10^{\circ}$ and 15.16 at FA $80^{\circ}$. The CNR between liver and spleen was -3.18 at FA $10^{\circ}$ and 9.65 at $80^{\circ}$. In conclusion, FA $80^{\circ}$ is optimal for T1 weighted effect using FLASH pulse sequence at 3.0 T abdominal MRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to confirm the exactitude of in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(NMRS) and to complement the defect of in vivo NMRS. It has been difficult to understand the metabolism of a cerebellum using in vivo NMRS owing to the generated inhomogeneity of magnetic fields (B0 and B1 field) by the complexity of the cerebellum structure. Thus, this study tried to more exactly analyze the metabolism of a canine cerebellum using the cell extraction and high resolution NMRS. In order to conduct the absolute metabolic quantification in a canine cerebellum, the spectrum of our phantom included in various brain metabolites (i.e., NAA, Cr, Cho, Ins, Lac, GABA, Glu, Gln, Tau and Ala) was obtained. The canine cerebellum tissue was extracted using the methanol-chloroform water extraction (M/C extraction) and one group was filtered and the other group was not under extract processing. Finally, NMRS of a phantom solution and two extract solution (90% D2O) was progressed using a 500MHz (11.4 T) NMR machine. Filtering a solution of the tissue extract increased the signal to noise ratio (SNR). The metabolic concentrations of a canine cerebellum were more close to rat’s metabolic concentration than human’s metabolic concentration. The present study demonstrates the absolute quantification technique in vitro high resolution NMRS with tissue extraction as the method to accurately measure metabolite concentration.