eISSN: 2081-2841
ISSN: 1689-832X
Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy
Current Issue Archive Supplements Articles in Press Journal Information Aims and Scope Editorial Office Editorial Board Register as Author Register as Reviewer Instructions for Authors Abstracting and indexing Subscription Advertising Information Links
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank

3/2015
vol. 7
 
Share:
Share:
abstract:

Original paper
A novel perineal shield for low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy

Joseph P. Weiner
,
David Schwartz
,
Joseph Safdieh
,
Alex Polubarov
,
Tejas Telivala
,
Matthew Worth
,
David Schreiber

J Contemp Brachytherapy 2015; 7, 3: 197-202
Online publish date: 2015/06/08
View full text Get citation
 
Purpose: To study the impact on radiation exposure to staff through the use of an original perineal shield during low-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy.

Material and methods: We designed a 1 mm thick stainless steel shield that duplicates and is able to slide directly over a standard commercialized prostate brachytherapy grid. We then analyzed the post-procedure exposure in 15 consecutive patients who underwent Iodine-125 seed placement. Measurements were performed with and without the shield in place at fixed locations relative to the grid template. Endpoints were analyzed using the paired two-sample t-test, with statistical significance defined as a p-value < 0.05.

Results: The exposure at the midline grid template ranged from 0.144-0.768 mSv/hr without the shield, and 0.038-0.144 mSv/hr with the shield (p < 0.0001). The exposure 10 cm left of the grid template was 0.134-0.576 mSv/hr without the shield, and 0.001-0.012 mSv/hr with the shield (p < 0.0001). The exposure 10 cm right of the grid template was 0.125-0.576 mSv/hr without the shield, and 0.001-0.012 mSv/hr with the shield (p < 0.0001). The median reduction of exposure at the grid was 76% midline, 98.5% left, and 99% right. Similarly, each individual dose rate was recorded at 25 cm from the perineum, both with and without shield. The median reduction of exposure 25 cm from the perineum was 73.7% midline, 77.7% left and 81.6% right (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Our novel shield took seconds to install and was non-restrictive during the procedure, and provided at least a four-fold reduction in radiation exposure to the brachytherapist.
keywords:

ALARA, brachytherapy, iodine-125, prostate cancer, seeds, shield

 
Quick links
© 2024 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.