A unified strategy to focal brachytherapy incorporating transperineal biopsy, image fusion, and real-time implantation with and without rectal spacer simulated in prostate phantoms.

Purpose: To develop an approach to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer using one platform for fusion biopsy, followed by focal gland ablation utilizing permanent prostate brachytherapy with and without a rectal spacer.

Material And Methods: Prostate phantoms containing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) regions of interest (ROI) underwent fusion biopsy, followed by image co-registration of positive sites to a treatment planning brachytherapy program. A partial hemi-ablation and both posterior lobes using a Mick applicator and linked stranded seeds were simulated.

Treatment verification in high dose rate brachytherapy using a realistic 3D printed head phantom and an imaging panel.

Purpose: Even though High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy has good treatment outcomes in different treatment sites, treatment verification is far from widely implemented because of a lack of easily available solutions. Previously it has been shown that an imaging panel (IP) near the patient can be used to determine treatment parameters such as the dwell time and source positions in a single material pelvic phantom. In this study we will use a heterogeneous head phantom to test this IP approach, and simulate common treatment errors to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the error-detecting capabilities of the IP.

Time-resolved QA and brachytherapy applicator commissioning: Towards the clinical implementation.

Purpose: Brachytherapy has a busy workflow relying on manual steps to ensure accurate delivery of the treatment. Systematic treatment errors have been reported due to faulty equipment, inadequate quality assurance (QA) and applicator commissioning methods. This study describes the use of a novel method, the Iridium Imaging System for QA (IrIS - QA), to automate and improve the applicator commissioning for HDR Ir brachytherapy.

Brachytherapy treatment verification using gamma radiation from the internal treatment source combined with an imaging panel-a phantom study.

Brachytherapy has an excellent clinical outcome for different treatment sites. However,treatment verification is not performed in the majority of hospitals due to the lack of proper monitoring systems. This study investigates the use of an imaging panel (IP) and the photons emitted by a high dose rate (HDR)Ir source to track source motion and obtain some information related to the patient anatomy.