• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.396-404
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• 2002

Purpose : Many papers support a correlation between rectal complications and rectal doses in uterine cervical cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy. In vivo dosimetry in the rectum following the ICRU report 38 contributes to the quality assurance in HDR brachytherapy, especially in minimizing side effects. This study compares the rectal doses calculated in the radiation treatment planning system to that measured with a silicon diode the in vivo dosimetry system. Methods : Nine patients, with a uterine cervical carcinoma, treated with Iridium-192 high dose rate brachytherapy between June 2001 and Feb. 2002, were retrospectively analysed. Six to eight-fractions of high dose rate (HDR)-intracavitary radiotherapy (ICR) were delivered two times per week, with a total dose of $28\~32\;Gy$ to point A. In 44 applications, to the 9 patients, the measured rectal doses were analyzed and compared with the calculated rectal doses using the radiation treatment planning system. Using graphic approximation methods, in conjunction with localization radiographs, the expected dose values at the detector points of an intrarectal semiconductor dosimeter, were calculated. Results : There were significant differences between the calculated rectal doses, based on the simulation radiographs, and the calculated rectal doses, based on the radiographs in each fraction of the HDR ICR. Also, there were significant differences between the calculated and measured rectal doses based on the in-vivo diode dosimetry system. The rectal reference point on the anteroposterior line drawn through the lower end of the uterine sources, according to ICRU 38 report, received the maximum rectal doses in only 2 out of the nine patients $(22.2\%)$. Conclusion : In HDR ICR planning for conical cancer, optimization of the dose to the rectum by the computer-assisted planning system, using radiographs in simulation, is improper. This study showed that in vivo rectal dosimetry, using a diode detector during the HDR ICR, could have a useful role in quality control for HDR brachytherapy in cervical carcinomas. The importance of individual dosimeters for each HDR ICR is clear. In some departments that do not have the in vivo dosimetry system, the radiation oncologist has to find, from lateral fluoroscopic findings, the location of the rectal marker before each fractionated HDR brachytherapy, which is a necessary and important step of HDR brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a GafChromic film applied to stereotactic radiosurgery with a linear accelerator could provide information on the value for acceptance testing and quality control on the absolute dose and relative dose measurements and/or calculation of treatment planning system. Materials and methods: A spherical acrylic phantom, simulating a patient's head, was constructed from three points. The absolute and relative dose distributions could be measured by inserting a GafChromic film into the phantom. We tested the use of a calibrated GafChromic film (MD-55-2, Nuclear Associate, USA) for measuring the optical density. These measurements were achieved by irradiating the films with a dose of 0-112 Gy employing 6 MV photon. To verify the accuracy of the prescribed dose delivery to a target isocenter using a five arc beams (irradiated in 3 Gy per one beam) setup, calculated by the Linapel planning system the absolute dose and relative dose distribution using a GafChromic film were measured. All the irradiated films were digitized with a Lumiscan 75 laser digitizer and processed with the RIT113 film dosimetry system. Results: We verified the linearity of the Optical Density of a MD-55-2 GafChromic film, and measured the depth dose profile of the beam. The absolute dose delivered to the target was close to the prescribed dose of Linapel within an accuracy for the GafChromic film dosimetry (of $\pm$3$\%$), with a measurement uncertainty of $\pm$1 mm for the 50$\~$90$\%$ isodose lines. Conclusion: Our results have shown that the absolute dose and relative dose distribution curves obtained from a GafChromic film can provide information on the value for acceptance. To conclude the GafChromic flim is a convenient and useful dosimetry tool for linac based radiosurgery.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2015

For evaluating the treatment planning accurately, the quality assurance for treatment planning is recommended when patients were treated with IMRT which is complex and delicate. To realize this purpose, treatment plan quality assurance software can be used to verify the delivered dose accurately before and after of treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of treatment plan quality assurance software for each IMRT plan according to MLC DLG (dosimetric leaf gap). Novalis Tx with a built-in HD120 MLC was used in this study to acquire the MLC dynalog file be imported in MobiusFx. To establish IMRT plan, Eclipse RTP system was used and target and organ structures (multi-target, mock prostate, mock head/neck, C-shape case) were contoured in I'mRT phantom. To verify the difference of dose distribution according to DLG, MLC dynalog files were imported to MobiusFx software and changed the DLG (0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.3, 1.6 mm) values in MobiusFx. For evaluation dose, dose distribution was evaluated by using 3D gamma index for the gamma criteria 3% and distance to agreement 3 mm, and the point dose was acquired by using the CC13 ionization chamber in isocenter of I'mRT phantom. In the result for point dose, the mock head/neck and multi-target had difference about 4% and 3% in DLG 0.5 and 0.7 mm respectively, and the other DLGs had difference less than 3%. The gamma index passing-rate of mock head/neck were below 81% for PTV and cord, and multi-target were below 30% for center and superior target in DLGs 0.5, 0.7 mm, however, inferior target of multi-target case and parotid of mock head/neck case had 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. The point dose of mock prostate showed difference below 3.0% in all DLGs, however, the passing rate of PTV were below 95% in 0.5, 0.7 mm DLGs, and the other DLGs were above 98%. The rectum and bladder had 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. As the difference of point dose in C-shape were 3~9% except for 1.3 mm DLG, the passing rate of PTV in 1.0 1.3 mm were 96.7, 93.0% respectively. However, passing rate of the other DLGs were below 86% and core was 100.0% passing rate in all DLGs. In this study, we verified that the accuracy of treatment planning QA system can be affected by DLG values. For precise quality assurance for treatment technique using the MLC motion like IMRT and VMAT, we should use appropriate DLG value in linear accelerator and RTP system.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.240-248
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• 2009

Purpose: To provide a simple research tool that may be used to analyze a dose volume histogram from different radiation therapy planning systems for NTCP (Normal Tissue Complication Probability), OED (Organ Equivalent Dose) and so on. Materials and Metohds: A high-level computing language was chosen to implement Niemierko's EUD, Lyman-Kutcher-Burman model's NTCP, and OED. The requirements for treatment planning analysis were defined and the procedure, using a developed GUI based program, was described with figures. The calculated data, including volume at a dose, dose at a volume, EUD, and NTCP were evaluated by a commercial radiation therapy planning system, Pinnacle (Philips, Madison, WI, USA) for comparison. Results: The volume at a special dose and a dose absorbed in a volume on a dose volume histogram were successfully extracted using DVH data of several radiation planning systems. EUD, NTCP and OED were successfully calculated using DVH data and some required parameters in the literature. Conclusion: A simple DVH analyzer program was developed and has proven to be a useful research tool for radiation therapy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2004

The intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is believed to be on of the best treatment techniques for the goal of radiation therapy: to irradiate fatal dose to tumor region while minimizing dose to critical organs. It is essential to have comprehensive quality assurance program to assure the precision and the accuracy of the treatment due to the characteristic of the IMRT. The quality assurance technique for the Corvus treatment planning system was developed and its effectiveness was tested with the treatment planning of H&N region. Acrylic phantom, film and ionization chamber were used for this study, the discrepancy between the treatment planning and the film measurements showed 0.03 cm and 0.28 cm for the 90% of isodose line in each directions. Dose measurements showed 1% and 1.2% differences for ionization chamber and TLD, respectively. This concluded that the system can be used for clinic.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2006

Purpose: In radiation therapy, precise calculation of dose toward malignant tumors or normal tissue would be a critical factor in determining whether the treatment would be successful. The Radiation Treatment Planning (RTP) system is one of most effective methods to make it effective to the correction of dose due to CT number through converting linear attenuation coefficient to density of the inhomogeneous tissue by means of CT based reconstruction. Materials and Methods: In this study, we carried out the measurement of CT number and calculation of mass density by using RTP system and the homemade inhomogeneous tissue Phantom and the values were obtained with reference to water. Moreover, we intended to investigate the effectiveness and accuracy for the correction of inhomogeneous tissue by the CT number through comparing the measured dose (nC) and calculated dose (Percentage Depth Dose, PDD) used CT image during radiation exposure with RTP. Results: The difference in mass density between the calculated tissue equivalent material and the true value was ranged from $0.005g/cm^3\;to\;0.069g/cm^3$. A relative error between PDD of RTP and calculated dose obtained by radiation therapy of machine ranged from -2.8 to +1.06%(effective range within 3%). Conclusion: In conclusion, we confirmed the effectiveness of correction for the inhomogeneous tissues through CT images. These results would be one of good information on the basic outline of Quality Assurance (QA) in RTP system.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2004

The commissioning of a model-based treatment planning system requires many parameters to fit the measured depth doses and transverse profiles. For the commissioning of the Pinnacle$^3$ system, through the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, the necessary parameters, including the photon spectrum, contaminant electrons, off-axis softening and fluency of photons, were observed. Through the simulation the parameters contained valuable information, but the calculated results of the Pinnacle$^3$ using the MC-derived parameters showed discrepancies with those measured for the off-axis softening and the fluency of photons. Even though the MC calculation produces reasonable values for the commissioning, the thorough physical basis of the Pinnacle$^3$'s commissioning process is needed in order to directly use the MC derived parameters.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.94-99
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• 2003

Purpose : To explore a 3D conformal radiotherapy technique for a posterior fossa boost, and the potential advantages of a prone position for such radiotherapy. Materials and Methods :A CT simulator and 3D conformal radiotherapy Planning system was used for the posterior fossa boost treatment on a 13-year-old medulloblastoma patient. He was placed In the prone position and Immobilized with an aquaplast mask and immobilization mold. CT scans were obtained of the brain from the top of the skull to the lower neck, with IV contrast enhancement. The target volume and normal structures were delineated on each slice, with treatment planning peformed using non-coplanar conformal beams. Results : The CT scans, and treatment In the prone position, were peformed successfully. In the prone position, the definition of the target volume was made easier due to the well enhanced tentorium, In audition, the posterior fossa was located anteriorly, and with the greater choice of beam arrangements, more accurate treatment planning was possible as the primary beams were not obstructed by the treatment table. Conclusion : .A posterior fossa boost, in the prone position, Is feasible in cooperating patients, but further evaluation is needed to define the optimal and most comfortable treatment positions.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.280-285
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• 2015

In radiation therapy fields, a brachytherapy is a treatment that kills lesion of cells by inserting a radioisotope that keeps emitting radiation into the body. We currently verify the consistency of radiation treatment plan and dose distribution through film/screen system (F/S system), provide therapy after checking dose. When we check dose distribution, F/S systems have radiation signal distortion because there is low resolution by penumbra depending on the condition of film developed. In this study, We fabricated a $HgI_2$ Semiconductor radiation sensor for base study in order that we verify the real dose distribution weather it's same as plans or not in brachytherapy. Also, we attempt to evaluate the feasibility of QA system by utilizing and evaluating the sensor to brachytherapy source. As shown in the result of detected signal with various source-to-detector distance (SDD), we quantitatively verified the real range of treatment which is also equivalent to treatment plans because only the low signal estimated as scatters was measured beyond the range of treatment. And the result of experiment that we access reproducibility on the same condition of ${\gamma}$-ray, we have made sure that the CV (coefficient of variation) is within 1.5 percent so we consider that the $HgI_2$ sensor is available at QA of brachytherapy based on the result.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.60-60
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• 2003

목적 : 감마나이프 치료계획용 소프트웨어인 감마플렌에서 처방선량을 계산하는 단위와 실제 시간을 설정하는 하드웨어인 조정판의 시간설정 단위의 차이에 의한 실제 처방선량에 끼치는 영향을 계산하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 감마나이프는 주어진 4 개의 헬멧을 가지고 최소 한번 또는 최대 20 번 이상의 방사선 조합으로 한번에 많은 방사선을 목표물에 조사한다. 감마나이프 방사선 수술을 위한 치료계획용 소프트웨어인 감마플렌 5.32에서는 처방선량에 대한 치료시간을 최대 지점 또는 지정하는 지점에 규격화하여 소숫점 두 자리 즉 0.6 초까지 계산한다. 그러나 실제 치료를 위한 조정판의 시간설정은 모델 B 에서는 소숫점 한자리까지 가능하게 되어있다. 그러므로 모델 B를 사용하는 기관의 치료계획 컴퓨터인 감마플렌에서는 소숫점 한자리로 만들기 위해 반올림과 내림을 하게 되며 이것을 프린트하여 사용하게 된다. 실제 임상에서 멀티삿에 대한 반올림과 내림에 대한 효과를 선량으로 환산하여 처방선량에 끼치는 영향을 연구하였다. 치료 계획에 서 처방선량을 입력한 후 계산된 각 조사에 대한 소숫점 두자리 시간을 화면에 표시한 후 스냅tit으로 스크린 캡쳐하여 프린트하였으며, 소숫점 한자리로 된 최종 치료계획을 프린트하여 서로 비교 계산하였다. 결과 : 20 여명의 환자에 대한 치료 결과에 대한 분석은 조사의 수나 처방선량에 관계하지 않고 우연히 올림이 많으냐 내림이 많으냐에 의존하였다. 최대지점에 대하여 분석한 결과는 -0.48부터 +0.47로 -2%부터 +1.9%의 정도로 영향을 끼쳤다. 결론 : 반올림과 내림의 결과는 처방선량을 줄일 수도 있고 늘일 수도 있었다. 그러나 이 연구는 최대선량 지점에 대해 비교를 하였으나 실제로는 각 조사의 위치가 서로 다르므로 영향은 이보다 훨씬 적을 것으로 생각되어 소숫점 한자리로 치료하여도 무방할 것으로 보인다.mm, AP 방향에서는 2.1$\pm$0.82 mm이었다. 그리고 복부의 later의 방향에서는 7.0$\pm$2.1 mm, AP 방향에서는 6.5$\pm$2.2 mm 이었다. 또한 표적 위치측정을 위해서 환자의 피부에 임의의 가상표적을 부착하고 CT 촬영한 영상결과, 프레임으로 가상표 적에 대한 위치를 정확히 파악할 수 있었다. 결론 : 제작된 프레임을 적용하여 방사선투과율 측정실험, 환자 외부자세에 대한 오차 측정실험, 가상표적 위치측정 실험 등을 수행하였다. 환자 외부자세에 대한 오차 측정실험 경우, 더 많은 Volunteer를 적용하여 보다 정확한 오차 측정실험이 수행되어야 할 것이며 정확한 표적 위치 측정실험을 위해서 내부 마커를 삽입한 환자를 적용한 임상실험이 수행되어야 할 것이다. 또한 위치결정에서 획득한 좌표값의 정확성을 알아보기 위해서 팬톰을 이용한 방사선조사 실험이 추후에 실행되어져야 할 것이다. 그리고 제작된 프레임에 Rotating X선 시스템과 내부 장기의 움직임을 계량화하고 PTV에서의 최적 여유폭을 설정함으로써 정위 방사선수술 및 3 차원 업체 방사선치료에 대한 병소 위치측정과 환자의 자세에 대한 setup 오차측정 결정에 도움이 될 수 있을 것이라고 사료된다. 상대적으로 우수한 것으로 나타났으며, 혼합충전재는 암모니아의 경우 코코넛과 펄라이트의 비율이 7：3인 혼합 재료 3번과 소나무수피와 펄라이트의 비율이 7：3인 혼합 재료 6번에서 다른 혼합 재료에 비하여 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 4. 코코넛과 소나무수피의 경우 암모니아 가스에 대한 흡착 능력은 거의 비슷한 것으로 사료되며, 코코넛의 경우 전량을 수입에 의존하고 있다는 점에서 국내 조달이 용이하며, 구입 비용도 적게 소요되는 소나무수피를 사용하는 것이 경제적이라고 사료된다. 5. 마지막으로