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Author Ibanez-Rosello, B.; Bautista-Ballesteros, J.A.; Candela-Juan, C.; Villaescusa, J.I.; Ballester, F.; Vijande, J.; Perez-Calatayud, J.
Title (up) Evaluation of the shielding in a treatment room with an electronic brachytherapy unit Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Journal of Radiological Protection Abbreviated Journal J. Radiol. Prot.
Volume 37 Issue 2 Pages N5-N12
Keywords Esteya; electronic brachytherapy; shielding; radiation protection
Abstract Esteya (R) (Elekta Brachytherapy, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) is an electronic brachytherapy (eBT) system based on a 69.5 kVp x-ray source and a set of collimators of 1 to 3 cm in diameter, used for treating non-melanoma skin cancer lesions. This study aims to estimate room shielding requirements for this unit. The non-primary (scattered and leakage) ambient dose equivalent rates were measured with a Berthold LB-133 monitor (Berthold Technologies, Bad Wildbad, Germany). The latter ranges from 17 mSv h(-1) at 0.25 m distance from the x-ray source to 0.1 mSv h(-1) at 2.5 m. The necessary room shielding was then estimated following US and some European guidelines. The room shielding for all barriers considered was below 2 mmPb. The dose to a companion who, exceptionally, would stay with the patient during all treatment was estimated to be below 1 mSv if a leaded apron is used. In conclusion, Esteya shielding requirements are minimal.
Address [Ibanez-Rosello, Blanca; Ignacio Villaescusa, Juan] La Fe Univ, Radioprotect Dept, E-46026 Valencia, Spain, Email: blanca.ibanez.rosello@gmail.com
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0952-4746 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000413778600001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration no
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3344
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Author Perez-Calatayud, J.; Ballester, F.; Tedgren, C.; DeWerd, L.A.; Papagiannis, P.; Rivard, M.J.; Siebert, F.A.; Vijande, J.
Title (up) GEC-ESTRO ACROP recommendations on calibration and traceability of HE HDR-PDR photon-emitting brachytherapy sources at the hospital level Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Radiotherapy and Oncology Abbreviated Journal Radiother. Oncol.
Volume 176 Issue Pages 108-117
Keywords Brachytherapy; High energy; Calibration; Dosimetry; HDR-PDR
Abstract The vast majority of radiotherapy departments in Europe using brachytherapy (BT) perform temporary implants of high-or pulsed-dose rate (HDR-PDR) sources with photon energies higher than 50 keV. Such techniques are successfully applied to diverse pathologies and clinical scenarios. These recommen-dations are the result of Working Package 21 (WP-21) initiated within the BRAchytherapy PHYsics Quality Assurance System (BRAPHYQS) GEC-ESTRO working group with a focus on HDR-PDR source cal-ibration. They provide guidance on the calibration of such sources, including practical aspects and issues not specifically accounted for in well-accepted societal recommendations, complementing the BRAPHYQS WP-18 Report dedicated to low energy BT photon emitting sources (seeds). The aim of this report is to provide a European-wide standard in HDR-PDR BT source calibration at the hospital level to maintain high quality patient treatments.
Address [Perez-Calatayud, Jose] La Fe Hosp, Radiotherapy Dept, Valencia, Spain, Email: javier.vijande@uv.es
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Ireland Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0167-8140 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000880438000006 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5466
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Author Fletcher, E.M.; Ballester, F.; Beaulieu, L.; Morrison, H.; Poher, A.; Rivard, M.J.; Sloboda, R.S.; Vijande, J.; Thomson, R.M.
Title (up) Generation and comparison of 3D dosimetric reference datasets for COMS eye plaque brachytherapy using model-based dose calculations Type Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication Medical Physics Abbreviated Journal Med. Phys.
Volume 51 Issue Pages 694-706
Keywords Monte Carlo; ocular brachytherapy; treatment planning
Abstract PurposeA joint Working Group of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the Australasian Brachytherapy Group (ABG) was created to aid in the transition from the AAPM TG-43 dose calculation formalism, the current standard, to model-based dose calculations. This work establishes the first test cases for low-energy photon-emitting brachytherapy using model-based dose calculation algorithms (MBDCAs).Acquisition and Validation MethodsFive test cases are developed: (1) a single model 6711 125I brachytherapy seed in water, 13 seeds (2) individually and (3) in combination in water, (4) the full Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) 16-mm eye plaque in water, and (5) the full plaque in a realistic eye phantom. Calculations are done with four Monte Carlo (MC) codes and a research version of a commercial treatment planning system (TPS). For all test cases, local agreement of MC codes was within & SIM;2.5% and global agreement was & SIM;2% (4% for test case 5). MC agreement was within expected uncertainties. Local agreement of TPS with MC was within 5% for test case 1 and & SIM;20% for test cases 4 and 5, and global agreement was within 0.4% for test case 1 and 10% for test cases 4 and 5.Data Format and Usage NotesDose distributions for each set of MC and TPS calculations are available online () along with input files and all other information necessary to repeat the calculations.Potential ApplicationsThese data can be used to support commissioning of MBDCAs for low-energy brachytherapy as recommended by TGs 186 and 221 and AAPM Report 372. This work additionally lays out a sample framework for the development of test cases that can be extended to other applications beyond eye plaque brachytherapy.
Address [Fletcher, Elizabeth M.; Thomson, Rowan M.] Carleton Univ, Phys Dept, Carleton Lab Radiotherapy Phys, Ottawa, ON, Canada, Email: rthomson@physics.carleton.ca
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Wiley Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0094-2405 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:001058112300001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5632
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Author Rivard, M.J.; Granero, D.; Perez-Calatayud, J.; Ballester, F.
Title (up) Influence of photon energy spectra from brachytherapy sources on Monte Carlo simulations of kerma and dose rates in water and air Type Journal Article
Year 2010 Publication Medical Physics Abbreviated Journal Med. Phys.
Volume 37 Issue 2 Pages 869-876
Keywords biomedical materials; brachytherapy; dosimetry; iodine; iridium; Monte Carlo methods; palladium; radioisotopes
Abstract Methods: For Ir-192, I-125, and Pd-103, the authors considered from two to five published spectra. Spherical sources approximating common brachytherapy sources were assessed. Kerma and dose results from GEANT4, MCNP5, and PENELOPE-2008 were compared for water and air. The dosimetric influence of Ir-192, I-125, and Pd-103 spectral choice was determined. Results: For the spectra considered, there were no statistically significant differences between kerma or dose results based on Monte Carlo code choice when using the same spectrum. Water-kerma differences of about 2%, 2%, and 0.7% were observed due to spectrum choice for Ir-192, I-125, and Pd-103, respectively (independent of radial distance), when accounting for photon yield per Bq. Similar differences were observed for air-kerma rate. However, their ratio (as used in the dose-rate constant) did not significantly change when the various photon spectra were selected because the differences compensated each other when dividing dose rate by air-kerma strength. Conclusions: Given the standardization of radionuclide data available from the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC) and the rigorous infrastructure for performing and maintaining the data set evaluations, NNDC spectra are suggested for brachytherapy simulations in medical physics applications.
Address [Rivard, Mark J.] Tufts Univ, Sch Med, Dept Radiat Oncol, Boston, MA 02111 USA, Email: mrivard@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Assoc Physicists Medicine Amer Inst Physics Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0094-2405 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes ISI:000274075600048 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ elepoucu @ Serial 504
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Author Granero, D.; Perez-Calatayud, J.; Vijande, J.; Ballester, F.; Rivard, M.J.
Title (up) Limitations of the TG-43 formalism for skin high-dose-rate brachytherapy dose calculations Type Journal Article
Year 2014 Publication Medical Physics Abbreviated Journal Med. Phys.
Volume 41 Issue 2 Pages 021703 - 8pp
Keywords HDR; brachytherapy; skin; Monte Carlo; Geant4; Co-60; Ir-192; Yb-169
Abstract Purpose: In skin high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, sources are located outside, in contact with, or implanted at some depth below the skin surface. Most treatment planning systems use the TG-43 formalism, which is based on single-source dose superposition within an infinite water medium without accounting for the true geometry in which conditions for scattered radiation are altered by the presence of air. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric limitations of the TG-43 formalism in HDR skin brachytherapy and the potential clinical impact. Methods: Dose rate distributions of typical configurations used in skin brachytherapy were obtained: a 5 cm x 5 cm superficial mould; a source inside a catheter located at the skin surface with and without backscatter bolus; and a typical interstitial implant consisting of an HDR source in a catheter located at a depth of 0.5 cm. Commercially available HDR Co-60 and Ir-192 sources and a hypothetical Yb-169 source were considered. The Geant4Monte Carlo radiation transport code was used to estimate dose rate distributions for the configurations considered. These results were then compared to those obtained with the TG-43 dose calculation formalism. In particular, the influence of adding bolus material over the implant was studied. Results: For a 5 cm x 5 cm Ir-192 superficial mould and 0.5 cm prescription depth, dose differences in comparison to the TG-43 method were about -3%. When the source was positioned at the skin surface, dose differences were smaller than -1% for Co-60 and Ir-192, yet -3% for Yb-169. For the interstitial implant, dose differences at the skin surface were -7% for Co-60, -0.6% for Ir-192, and -2.5% for Yb-169. Conclusions: This study indicates the following: (i) for the superficial mould, no bolus is needed; (ii) when the source is in contact with the skin surface, no bolus is needed for either Co-60 and Ir-192. For lower energy radionuclides like Yb-169, bolus may be needed; and (iii) for the interstitial case, at least a 0.1 cm bolus is advised for Co-60 to avoid underdosing superficial target layers. For Ir-192 and Yb-169, no bolus is needed. For those cases where no bolus is needed, its use might be detrimental as the lack of radiation scatter may be beneficial to the patient, although the 2% tolerance for dose calculation accuracy recommended in the AAPM TG-56 report is not fulfilled.
Address [Granero, Domingo] Hosp Gen Univ, ERESA, Dept Radiat Phys, Valencia 46014, Spain, Email: dgranero@eresa.com
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Assoc Physicists Medicine Amer Inst Physics Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0094-2405 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000331213300006 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 1704
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Author Vijande, J.; Granero, D.; Perez-Calatayud, J.; Ballester, F.
Title (up) Monte Carlo dosimetric study of the medium dose rate CSM40 source Type Journal Article
Year 2013 Publication Applied Radiation and Isotopes Abbreviated Journal Appl. Radiat. Isot.
Volume 82 Issue Pages 283-288
Keywords Brachytherapy; Cs-137 seed; TG-43 based dosimetry; Monte Carlo
Abstract The Cs-137 medium dose rate (MDR) CSM40 source model (Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG, Germany) is in clinical use but no dosimetric dataset has been published. This study aims to obtain dosimetric data for the CSM40 source for its use in clinical practice as required by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO). Penelope2008 and Geant4 Monte Carlo codes were used to characterize this source dosimetrically. It was located in an unbounded water phantom with composition and mass density as recommended by AAPM and ESTRO. Due to the low photon energies of Cs-137, absorbed dose was approximated by collisional kerma. Additional simulations were performed to obtain the air-kerma strength, sic. Mass-energy absorption coefficients in water and air were consistently derived and used to calculate collisional kerma. Results performed with both radiation transport codes showed agreement typically within 0.05%. Dose rate constant, radial dose function and anisotropy function are provided for the CSM40 and compared with published data for other commercially available Cs-137 sources. An uncertainty analysis has been performed. The data provided by this study can be used as input data and verification in the treatment planning systems. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Address [Vijande, J.; Ballester, F.] Univ Valencia, Dept Atom Mol & Nucl Phys, E-46100 Burjassot, Spain, Email: Javier.vijande@uv.es
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0969-8043 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000328804000043 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration no
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 1678
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Author Vijande, J.; Tedgren, A.C.; Ballester, F.; Baltas, D.; Papagiannis, P.; Rivard, M.J.; Siebert, F.A.; De Werd, L.; Perez-Calatayud, J.
Title (up) Source strength determination in iridium-192 and cobalt-60 brachytherapy: A European survey on the level of agreement between clinical measurements and manufacturer certificates Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication Physics and Imaging in Radiation Oncology Abbreviated Journal Phys. Imag. Radiat. Oncol.
Volume 19 Issue Pages 108-111
Keywords RAKR; Calibration; HDR; PDR; Brachytherapy
Abstract Background and purpose: Brachytherapy treatment outcomes depend on the accuracy of the delivered dose distribution, which is proportional to the reference air-kerma rate (RAKR). Current societal recommendations require the medical physicist to compare the measured RAKR values to the manufacturer source calibration certificate. The purpose of this work was to report agreement observed in current clinical practice in the European Union. Materials and methods: A European survey was performed for high- and pulsed-dose-rate (HDR and PDR) highenergy sources (Ir-192 and Co-60), to quantify observed RAKR differences. Medical physicists at eighteen hospitals from eight European countries were contacted, providing 1,032 data points from 2001 to 2020. Results: Over the survey period, 77% of the Ir-192 measurements used a well chamber instead of the older Krieger phantom method. Mean differences with the manufacturer calibration certificate were 0.01% +/- 1.15% for Ir-192 and -0.1% +/- 1.3% for Co-60. Over 95% of RAKR measurements in the clinic were within 3% of the manufacturer calibration certificate. Conclusions: This study showed that the agreement level was generally better than that reflected in prior societal recommendations positing 5%. Future recommendations on high-energy HDR and PDR source calibrations in the clinic may consider tightened agreements levels.
Address [Vijande, Javier; Ballester, Facundo] Univ Valencia UV, Dept Fis Atom Mol & Nucl, Burjassot, Spain, Email: Javier.vijande@uv.es
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000694711800017 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4969
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Author Ballester, F.; Granero, D.; Perez-Calatayud, J.; Venselaar, J.L.M.; Rivard, M.J.
Title (up) Study of encapsulated Tm-170 sources for their potential use in brachytherapy Type Journal Article
Year 2010 Publication Medical Physics Abbreviated Journal Med. Phys.
Volume 37 Issue 4 Pages 1629-1637
Keywords brachytherapy; cancer; dosimetry; prosthetics; radioisotopes; thulium
Abstract Methods: The authors have assumed a theoretical Tm-170 cylindrical source encapsulated with stainless steel and typical dimensions taken from the currently available HDR Ir-192 brachytherapy sources. The dose-rate distribution was calculated for this source using the GEANT4 Monte Carlo (MC) code considering both photon and electron Tm-170 spectra. The AAPM TG-43 U1 brachytherapy dosimetry parameters were derived. To study general properties of Tm-170 encapsulated sources, spherical sources encapsulated with stainless steel and platinum were also studied. Moreover, the influence of small variations in the active core and capsule dimensions on the dosimetric characteristics was assessed. Treatment times required for a Tm-170 source were compared to those for Ir-192 and Yb-169 for the same contained activity. Results: Due to the energetic beta spectrum and the large electron yield, the bremsstrahlung contribution to the dose was of the same order of magnitude as from the emitted gammas and characteristic x rays. Moreover, the electron spectrum contribution to the dose was significant up to 4 mm from the source center compared to the photon contribution. The dose-rate constant Lambda of the cylindrical source was 1.23 cGy h(-1) U-1. The behavior of the radial dose function showed promise for applications in brachytherapy. Due to the electron spectrum, the anisotropy was large for r < 6 mm. Variations in manufacturing tolerances did not significantly influence the final dosimetry data when expressed in cGy h(-1) U-1. For typical capsule dimensions, maximum reference dose rates of about 0.2, 10, and 2 Gy min(-1) would then be obtained for Tm-170, Ir-192, and Yb-169, respectively, resulting in treatment times greater than those for HDR Ir-192 brachytherapy. Conclusions: The dosimetric characteristics of source designs exploiting the low photon energy of Tm-170 were studied for potential application in HDR-brachytherapy. Dose-rate distributions were obtained for cylindrical and simplified spherical Tm-170 source designs (stainless steel and platinum capsule materials) using MC calculations. Despite the high activity of Tm-170, calculated treatment times were much longer than for Ir-192.
Address [Ballester, Facundo] Univ Valencia, Dept Atom Mol & Nucl Phys, E-46100 Burjassot, Spain, Email: fballest@uv.es
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Assoc Physicists Medicine Amer Inst Physics Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0094-2405 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes ISI:000276211200027 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ elepoucu @ Serial 478
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Author Granero, D.; Candela-Juan, C.; Vijande, J.; Ballester, F.; Perez-Calatayud, J.; Jacob, D.; Mourtada, F.
Title (up) Technical Note: Dosimetry of Leipzig and Valencia applicators without the plastic cap Type Journal Article
Year 2016 Publication Medical Physics Abbreviated Journal Med. Phys.
Volume 43 Issue 5 Pages 2087 - 4pp
Keywords Leipzig applicators; Valencia applicators; skin brachytherapy; Monte Carlo; dosimetry
Abstract Purpose: High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for treatment of small skin lesions using the Leipzig and Valencia applicators is a widely used technique. These applicators are equipped with an attachable plastic cap to be placed during fraction delivery to ensure electronic equilibrium and to prevent secondary electrons from reaching the skin surface. The purpose of this study is to report on the dosimetric impact of the cap being absent during HDR fraction delivery, which has not been explored previously in the literature. Methods: GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations (version 10.0) have been performed for the Leipzig and Valencia applicators with and without the plastic cap. In order to validate the Monte Carlo simulations, experimental measurements using radiochromic films have been done. Results: Dose absorbed within 1 mm of the skin surface increases by a factor of 1500% for the Leipzig applicators and of 180% for the Valencia applicators. Deeper than 1 mm, the overdosage flattens up to a 10% increase. Conclusions: Differences of treating with or without the plastic cap are significant. Users must check always that the plastic cap is in place before any treatment in order to avoid overdosage of the skin. Prior to skin HDR fraction delivery, the timeout checklist should include verification of the cap placement. (C) 2016 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
Address [Granero, D.] Hosp Gen Univ, Dept Radiat Phys, ERESA, Valencia 46014, Spain, Email: dgranero@eresa.com
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Amer Assoc Physicists Medicine Amer Inst Physics Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0094-2405 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000378924200010 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 2753
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Hueso-Gonzalez, F.; Ballester, F.; Perez-Calatayud, J.; Siebert, F.A.; Vijande, J.
Title (up) Towards clinical application of RayStretch for heterogeneity corrections in LDR permanent I-125 prostate brachytherapy Type Journal Article
Year 2017 Publication Brachytherapy Abbreviated Journal Brachytherapy
Volume 16 Issue 3 Pages 616-623
Keywords Brachytherapy; Low-dose rate; Heterogeneities; Prostate; Calcifications; Dosimetry
Abstract PURPOSE: RayStretch is a simple algorithm proposed for heterogeneity corrections in low-dose-rate brachytherapy. It is built on top of TG-43 consensus data, and it has been validated with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. In this study, we take a real clinical prostate implant with 71 1251 seeds as reference and we apply RayStretch to analyze its performance in worst-case scenarios. METHODS AND MATERIALS: To do so, we design two cases where large calcifications are located in the prostate lobules. RayStretch resilience under various calcification density values is also explored. Comparisons against MC calculations are performed. RESULTS: Dose volume histogram related parameters like prostate D-90, rectum D-2cc, or urethra D-10 obtained with RayStretch agree within a few percent with the detailed MC results for all cases considered. CONCLUSIONS: The robustness and compatibility of RayStretch with commercial treatment planning systems indicate its applicability in clinical practice for dosimetric corrections in prostate calcifications. Its use during intraoperative ultrasound planning is foreseen.
Address [Hueso-Gonzalez, Fernando] Target Systemelekt GmbH, Wuppertal, Germany, Email: javier.vijande@uv.es
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Science Inc Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1538-4721 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000402231600019 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 3151
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