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Comparison of Automated and Manual Shielding Block Fabrication
136
Medical Dosimetry
have a clinically significant malignant disease, i.e. disease being significant enough to war-rent investigation and/or therapy. Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphomas are discussed in detail covering clinical presentation, treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy, side effects and results. Lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly are also outlined with regards to the AIDS patient.
MARCIA
PRICE
IN BRACH~THERAP~ QUALITY ASSURANCE
I~~PR~vEMENTS
Eric Slessinger, M.S., Perry W. Grigsby, M.D., and Jackie Williams Mallinckrodt
Institute of Radiology Radiation Center, St. Louis, MO
Volume 14, Number 2, 1989 it was found that the distal tip of the tandem has separated from the body of the tandem. This was discussed when the orthogonal radiographs were taken and reviewed. The situation was corrected by removal of the packing, ovoids and tandem from the patient and a ureteral calculus forceps were inserted into the uterus. The uterine contents was sampled until the tip was retrieved. The manufacturer reported that only one similar event has occurred. The manufacturer feels that due to improper cleaning and sterilization procedures, a weakening of the brazed joint occurred. The institution, in which this event occurred, feels that probably due to pressure from the dummy against the end of the tandem as the cap was screwed on, helped precipitate this event. This pressure can occur if the tandem source holder or dummy is of excessive length. All institutions using this system are recommended to check it.
Oncology
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Vol. 16, No. 2, February, 1989, pp. 497-500 This article gives a brief summary of the Quality Assurance program practiced at the Mallinckrodt Institute when dealing with brachytherapy procedures, source identification and inventory.
COMPARISONOF AUTOMATED AND MANUAL SHIELDING BLOCK FABRICATION K. J. Weeks, Ph.D., B. A. Fraass, Ph.D., D. L. McShan, Ph.D., S. S. Hardybala, E. A. Hargreaves and A. S. Lichter, M.D.
OPTIMIZATIONOF ELECTRONARC THERAPY DOSES BY MULTI-VANE COLLIMATORCONTROL Dennis D. Leavitt, Ph.D., J. Robert Stewart, M.D., John H. Moeller, M.S., and Laura Earley, B.S. Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology, Physics, Vol. 16, No. 2, February 1989, pp 489-496 This article discusses the technique of using electron arc radiotherapy to obtain a more uniform dose distribution to the chestwall area. Treatment planning data that was obtained from over 50 patients demonstrates this improvement.
University of Michigan Medical Center Ann Arbor, MI International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Vol. 16, No. 2, February, 1989, pp. 501-504 This article discusses the results of a study in which an automated computer controlled block cutting system was compared to manual block cutting techniques. It was found that automated cutting is faster and more accurate than manual cutting for large fields, but did not hold true for the small fields. Also, for the automated system to be cost effective a great number of computer designed blocks would have to be used. So at the present time the manual method of block cutting is still most favorable.
TANDEM TIP FRACTURE: A RARE COMPLICATIONOF INTRACAVITYTHERAPY OF CERVIX CANCER AND How TO AVOID ITS C~CURENCE Mitchell S. Anscher, M.D. Gunilla C. Bentel, R.N., RTT, Michael J. Murray, M.D. and James R. Oleson, M.D., Ph.D. Division of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3085, Durham, NC International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Vol. 16, No. 2, February 1989, pp. 511-512 This article presents a case in which upon loading the tandem of a Fletcher-Suit applicator with a “tandem dummy”;
PAM NAPLACHOWSIU BOOST TREATMENT OF THE PROSTATE USING SHAPED, FIXED FIELDS R. K. Ten Haken, Ph.D., C. Perez-Tamayo, M.D., R. J. Tesser R.T.T., D. L. McShan, Ph.D., B. A. Fraass, Ph.D., and A. S. Lichter, M.D. University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics Vol. 16, No. 1, January, 1989, pp 193-200 Seventeen patients treated with a six-field conformational technique for Stage C carcinoma of the prostate boost treatment were reviewed with respect to treatment with the more traditional bilateral arc or shaped four-field techniques. The six fields, shaped to cover just the tumor volume, eliminates treating the large blocks of normal tissue that must be included within the target volume to give adequate tumor coverage with the other two techniques. The more accurate tumor coverage significantly decreased the amount of bladder and rectal tissues treated to high doses. Greater tumor control should be obtainable with higher prescribed doses and fewer complications. A detailed explanation of the six-field conformational technique is presented.
Medical Dosimetry
have a clinically significant malignant disease, i.e. disease being significant enough to war-rent investigation and/or therapy. Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphomas are discussed in detail covering clinical presentation, treatment, including radiation and chemotherapy, side effects and results. Lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly are also outlined with regards to the AIDS patient.
MARCIA
PRICE
IN BRACH~THERAP~ QUALITY ASSURANCE
I~~PR~vEMENTS
Eric Slessinger, M.S., Perry W. Grigsby, M.D., and Jackie Williams Mallinckrodt
Institute of Radiology Radiation Center, St. Louis, MO
Volume 14, Number 2, 1989 it was found that the distal tip of the tandem has separated from the body of the tandem. This was discussed when the orthogonal radiographs were taken and reviewed. The situation was corrected by removal of the packing, ovoids and tandem from the patient and a ureteral calculus forceps were inserted into the uterus. The uterine contents was sampled until the tip was retrieved. The manufacturer reported that only one similar event has occurred. The manufacturer feels that due to improper cleaning and sterilization procedures, a weakening of the brazed joint occurred. The institution, in which this event occurred, feels that probably due to pressure from the dummy against the end of the tandem as the cap was screwed on, helped precipitate this event. This pressure can occur if the tandem source holder or dummy is of excessive length. All institutions using this system are recommended to check it.
Oncology
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Vol. 16, No. 2, February, 1989, pp. 497-500 This article gives a brief summary of the Quality Assurance program practiced at the Mallinckrodt Institute when dealing with brachytherapy procedures, source identification and inventory.
COMPARISONOF AUTOMATED AND MANUAL SHIELDING BLOCK FABRICATION K. J. Weeks, Ph.D., B. A. Fraass, Ph.D., D. L. McShan, Ph.D., S. S. Hardybala, E. A. Hargreaves and A. S. Lichter, M.D.
OPTIMIZATIONOF ELECTRONARC THERAPY DOSES BY MULTI-VANE COLLIMATORCONTROL Dennis D. Leavitt, Ph.D., J. Robert Stewart, M.D., John H. Moeller, M.S., and Laura Earley, B.S. Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology, Physics, Vol. 16, No. 2, February 1989, pp 489-496 This article discusses the technique of using electron arc radiotherapy to obtain a more uniform dose distribution to the chestwall area. Treatment planning data that was obtained from over 50 patients demonstrates this improvement.
University of Michigan Medical Center Ann Arbor, MI International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Vol. 16, No. 2, February, 1989, pp. 501-504 This article discusses the results of a study in which an automated computer controlled block cutting system was compared to manual block cutting techniques. It was found that automated cutting is faster and more accurate than manual cutting for large fields, but did not hold true for the small fields. Also, for the automated system to be cost effective a great number of computer designed blocks would have to be used. So at the present time the manual method of block cutting is still most favorable.
TANDEM TIP FRACTURE: A RARE COMPLICATIONOF INTRACAVITYTHERAPY OF CERVIX CANCER AND How TO AVOID ITS C~CURENCE Mitchell S. Anscher, M.D. Gunilla C. Bentel, R.N., RTT, Michael J. Murray, M.D. and James R. Oleson, M.D., Ph.D. Division of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3085, Durham, NC International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, Vol. 16, No. 2, February 1989, pp. 511-512 This article presents a case in which upon loading the tandem of a Fletcher-Suit applicator with a “tandem dummy”;
PAM NAPLACHOWSIU BOOST TREATMENT OF THE PROSTATE USING SHAPED, FIXED FIELDS R. K. Ten Haken, Ph.D., C. Perez-Tamayo, M.D., R. J. Tesser R.T.T., D. L. McShan, Ph.D., B. A. Fraass, Ph.D., and A. S. Lichter, M.D. University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics Vol. 16, No. 1, January, 1989, pp 193-200 Seventeen patients treated with a six-field conformational technique for Stage C carcinoma of the prostate boost treatment were reviewed with respect to treatment with the more traditional bilateral arc or shaped four-field techniques. The six fields, shaped to cover just the tumor volume, eliminates treating the large blocks of normal tissue that must be included within the target volume to give adequate tumor coverage with the other two techniques. The more accurate tumor coverage significantly decreased the amount of bladder and rectal tissues treated to high doses. Greater tumor control should be obtainable with higher prescribed doses and fewer complications. A detailed explanation of the six-field conformational technique is presented.