Development of a phantom and assessment of (141)Ce as a surrogate radionuclide for flood field uniformity testing of gamma cameras.

This paper describes an indigenous method for development and deployment of rechargeable liquid filled phantom with newly proposed radionuclide (141)Ce for determination of extrinsic uniformity of gamma cameras. Details about design of phantom, neutron irradiation of cerium targets, chemical processing of (141)Ce, charging of phantom with (141)Ce solution and their performance evaluation are presented. Suitability of (141)Ce in quality assurance of gamma cameras used in in-vivo diagnostic imaging procedures has been amply demonstrated.

Estimation of radiation dose at various depths for commonly used radionuclides in radiosynoviorthesis in a tissue equivalent material.

The purpose of the paper is to report on the dose estimation studies at various depths for the commonly used beta-emitting 90Y, 166Ho, 153Sm, 32p, and 177Lu radionuclides in a phantom fabricated using the poly methyl methacrylate tissue equivalent material having a density of 1.19 gm/cc, by using thermoluminescent dosemeters. GAFChromic MD-55 films were used to calculate the calibration factor for the thermoluminescent micro-rods used in our study.

Upfront submandibular salivary gland transfer in pharyngeal cancers.

Head and neck irradiation results in salivary dysfunction and subsequent xerostomia. Twenty two patients with squamous cancer of oropharynx or hypopharynx underwent contralateral submandibular salivary gland transfer (SMSGT) to submental triangle to shield it from subsequent radiotherapy. Resting salivary outputs of transferred and untransferred gland (control) were measured before and after SMSGT and following radiotherapy, by cannulating individual submandibular duct.

Noninvasive scintigraphic method to quantify unstimulated secretions from individual salivary glands.

Purpose: Historically salivary gland function has been associated with maintenance of oral hygiene The difference in secretory behavior of parotid and submandibular glands has previously been shown. The purpose of this study was to establish a noninvasive technique for quantification of unstimulated (resting state) secretion of saliva based on the tracer output theory.

Procedures: A total of 14 99mTc-pertechnetate salivary function studies were performed under Gamma camera.