Feasibility of using multiple-dwell positions in Ir Leipzig-style brachytherapy surface applicators to expand target coverage and clinical application.

Purpose: Leipzig-style applicators for surface brachytherapy are traditionally used with a single-source dwell position. This study explores the feasibility of using multiple-source dwell positions ("multidwell") to improve the dose coverage and applicability of Leipzig-style applicators.

Methods And Materials: A virtual model of the Leipzig-style applicator was commissioned for a model-based dose calculation algorithm (MBDCA) and compared against American Association of Physicists in Medicine working group 186 benchmarking data sets and ionization chamber point measurements. An absolute dosimetry technique based on radiochromic film was used to validate both single-dwell and multidwell plans.

Results: Dose distributions generated from the MBDCA-based virtual model were consistent with working group data sets, ion chamber measurements, and radiochromic film analysis. In one multidwell configuration, at 3 mm prescription depth, the 80% isodose width was increased to 25 mm, compared with 15 mm in the same dimension for a single-dwell delivery. In the same multidwell configuration, the flatness, measured as >98% isodose line, was more than doubled to 8 mm, compared with 3 mm in the same dimension. For multidwell plans, 2-D planar agreement between radiochromic film and MBDCA exceeded 93% in gamma analysis (3%/1 mm criteria). Submillimeter positional agreement was found, with a total dosimetric uncertainty of 4.5% estimated for the entire system.

Conclusions: Leipzig-style surface applicators with multiple-source dwell positions have been benchmarked against radiochromic film dosimetry. Results show that the clinically viable coverage area can be increased significantly.