Pre-implant magnetic resonance and transrectal ultrasound imaging in high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy: comparison of prostate volumes, craniocaudal extents, and contours.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the prostate contours drawn by two radiation oncologists and one radiologist on magnetic resonance (MR) and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) images. TRUS intra- and inter-fraction variability as well as TRUS vs. MR inter-modality and inter-operator variability were studied.

Comparison of different treatment planning optimization methods for vaginal HDR brachytherapy with multichannel applicators: A reduction of the high doses to the vaginal mucosa is possible.

Purpose: A direct planning approach with multi-channel vaginal cylinders (MVCs) used for HDR brachytherapy of vaginal cancers is particularly challenging. Purpose of this study was to compare the dosimetric performances of different forward and inverse methods used for the optimization of MVC-based vaginal treatments for endometrial cancer, with a particular attention to the definition of strategies useful to limit the high doses to the vaginal mucosa.

Methods: Twelve postoperative vaginal HDR brachytherapy treatments performed with MVCs were considered.

In vivo rectal wall measurements during HDR prostate brachytherapy with MOSkin dosimeters integrated on a trans-rectal US probe: Comparison with planned and reconstructed doses.

Background And Purpose: To study if MOSkin detectors coupled to a trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) probe may be used for in vivo dosimetry on the rectal wall surface during US-based HDR prostate brachytherapy and to quantify possible discrepancies between planned and delivered doses.

Materials And Methods: MOSkins are a specific type of MOSFET dosimeter optimized to measure dose in steep dose gradients on interfaces. Two MOSkins were assembled on a TRUS probe used for on-line treatment planning.

Solid state TL detectors for in vivo dosimetry in brachytherapy.

In vivo dosimetry provides information about the actual dose delivered to the patient treated with radiotherapy and can be adopted within a routinary treatment quality assurance protocol. Aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing in vivo rectal dosimetry by placing thermoluminescence detectors directly on the transrectal ultrasound probe adopted for on-line treatment planning of high dose rate brachytherapy boosts of prostate cancer patients. A suitable protocol for TLD calibration has been set up.