AAPM and GEC-ESTRO guidelines for image-guided robotic brachytherapy: report of Task Group 192.

In the last decade, there have been significant developments into integration of robots and automation tools with brachytherapy delivery systems. These systems aim to improve the current paradigm by executing higher precision and accuracy in seed placement, improving calculation of optimal seed locations, minimizing surgical trauma, and reducing radiation exposure to medical staff. Most of the applications of this technology have been in the implantation of seeds in patients with early-stage prostate cancer.

Dose to the inferior pharyngeal constrictor predicts prolonged gastrostomy tube dependence with concurrent intensity-modulated radiation therapy and chemotherapy for locally-advanced head and neck cancer.

Background And Purpose: To determine if dose and/or dose-volume parameters to anatomic swallowing structures are predictive of gastrostomy tube (PEG) dependence from chemotherapy-intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC).

Methods And Materials: A retrospective study was performed on 141 consecutive patients with LAHNC (squamous cell) treated with definitive chemoIMRT with weekly concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel. Late dysphagia was assessed by length of PEG requirement.

SU-E-T-109: An Evaluation of a Newly Available Portal Dosimetry QA Tool for SRS Dynamic Arc and VMAT.

Purpose: In our institute, the MatriXX has been used for IMRT, VMAT and dynamic arc QA. However, the small fields (<3cm) shaped by HDMLC for SRS dynamic arc (DA) present QA measurement issues when using the MatriXX due to its limited resolution (7.6 mm).

Second-trimester placental volumes predict birth weight at term.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that second-trimester placental growth is a major determinant of size at birth in healthy, active women.

Methods: Three serial measurements of fetal morphometry and placental volume were obtained between the 14th and 26th weeks of an accurately dated singleton pregnancy in 40 subjects.

Results: Second-trimester placental volumes were variable, increasing from (mean +/- standard deviation) 130 +/- 35 to 248 +/- 67 and to 375 +/- 92 cm3 at 16, 20, and 24 weeks, with an average growth rate of 31 +/- 8 cm3/weeks.