• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 1997

Ir-192 source activity for high dose rate brachytherapy is measured using Farmertype ionization chamber. The source-to-chamber distance is 10 cm and the measured charge unit is converted to activity unit. The measured values are compared to the values provided from vendor. Because of time dependency of Ir-192 source activity, the activities are regularly checked and compared to calculated values. As the accuracy of Ir-192 source activity is depend on the mechanical measurement setup, we estimated the precision of remote controlled source dwell position using home-made device and film scanner. The difference between measured and predicted dwell position is within 1 mm. As a result, the errors of source activity are 0.7${\pm}$1.5 ％ for measured and vendor-provided values and 0.l${\pm}$1.2％ for measured and time-dependent calculated vlaues. In conclusion, our measured activity has been comparable to the values provided from vendor and our brachytherapy unit has been very accurate until now. Regular quality control of brachytherapy is essential for successful treatment which depends on the accuracy of source position and activity.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 1994

In the past, brachytherapy was carried out mostly with radium or radon sources. Currently. use of artificially produced radionuclially produced radionuclides such as $^{137}Cs,\;^{192}Ir,\;^{198}Au,\;and\;^{125}I$ is rapidly increasing. Although electrons are often used as an alternative to interstitial implants, brachytherapy continues to remain an important mode of therapy, either alone or combined with external beam. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements(NCRP) recommends that the strength of any ${\gamma}$ emitter should be specified directly in terms of exposure rate in air at a specified distance such as 1m. The air kerma strength is defined as the product of air kerma rate in 'free space' and the square of the disrance of the calibration point from the source center along the perpendicular bisector, i. e., $S_k=K_L{\times}L^2$. Where $S_K$ is the the air kerma strength and K is the air kerma rate at a specified distance L. (usually 1m). Recommended units for all kerma strength are ${\mu}Gym^{2}h^{-1}$.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.387-391
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• 2006

Computational and experimental dosimetry of Henschke applicator with respect to high dose rate brachytherapy using the MIRD phantom and a remote control afterloader were performed. A comparison of computational dosimetry was made between the simulated Monte Carlo dosimetry and GAMMADOT brachytherapy Planning system's dosimetry. Dose measurements was performed using ion chamber in a water phantom. Dose rates are calculated using Monte Carlo code MCNP4B and the GAMMADOT. Thecomputational models include the detailed geometry of Ir-192 source, tandem tube, and shielded ovoids for accurate estimation. And transit dose delivered during source extension to and retraction from a given dwell position was estimated by Monte Carlo simulations. Point doses at ICRU bladder/rectal pointswhich have been recommened by ICRU 38 was assessed. Calculated and measured dose distribution data agreed within 4% each other. The shielding effect of ovoids leads to 19% and 20% dose reduction at bladder surface and rectal points.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2016

To evaluate whether the difference in geometrical characteristics between high-dose-rate (HDR) $^{192}Ir$ sources would influence the dose distributions of intracavitary brachytherapy. Two types of microSelectron HDR $^{192}Ir$ sources (classic and new models) were selected in this study. Two-dimensional (2D) treatment plans for classic and new sources were generated by using PLATO treatment planning system. We compared the point A, point B, and bladder and rectum reference points based on ICRU 38 recommendation. The radial dose function of the new source agrees with that of the classic source except difference of up to 2.6% at the nearest radial distance. The differences of anisotropy functions agree within 2% for r=1, 3, and 5 cm and $20^{\circ}$ < ${\theta}$ < $165^{\circ}$. The largest discrepancies of anisotropy functions reached up to 27% for ${\theta}$ < $20^{\circ}$ at r=0.25 cm and were up to 13%, 10%, and 7% at r=1, 3, and 5 cm for ${\theta}$ > $170^{\circ}$, respectively. There were no significant differences in doses of point A, point B, and bladder point for the treatment plans between the new and classic sources. For the ICRU rectum point, the percent dose difference was on average 0.65% and up to 1.0%. The dose discrepancies between two treatment plans are mainly affected due to the geometrical difference of the source and the sealed capsule.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2004

Radiochromic film has several advantages; high spatial resolution, relatively low spectral sensitivity, near tissue equivalence and requires no special development procedure. The object of this study was to measure the anisotropy of an Ir-192 source (microSelectron manufactured by Nucletron) in a few mm regions from the source, using the GafChromic film. The GafChromic film was calibrated in the range of 0∼105 Gy, using a 4 MV photon beam, and the anisotropy function measured in an acrylic phantom using the GafChroimic film. The data obtained gave agreement to within 4.4% of the Monte Calro calculation, by J. F. Williamson, at a radial distance of 2.5 mm with polar angles of 50 to 130$^{\circ}$, while a maximum deviation of 17.6% was observed at angles near 140$^{\circ}$and agreement within 3.7% at a radial distance of 5 mm at polar angles between 35 to 150$^{\circ}$ and a maximum deviation of 7.6% was observed at angles near 30$^{\circ}$. A GafChromic film can be used as a more efficient detector for measuring the anisotropy of an HDR $^{192}$ Ir source at close distances than any other detector.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.357-366
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• 1998

Brachytherapy is an essential part of radiotherapy for uterine cervical cancer. The low dose rate (LDR) regimen has been the major technique of intracavitary therapy for cervical cancer. However, there has been an expansion in the last 20 years of high dose rate (HDR) machines using Ir-192 sources. Since 1979, HDR brachytherapy has been used for the treatment of uterine cervical cancer in Korea. The number of institutions employing HDR has been increasing, while the number of low dose rate system has been constant. In 1995, there was a total 27 HDR brachytherapy units installed and 1258 cases of patients with cervical cancer were treated with HDR Most common regimens of HDR brachytherapy are total dose of 30-39 Gy at point A with 10-13 fractions in three fractions per week. 24-32 Gy with 6-8 fractions in two fractions per week, and 30-35 Gy with 6-7 fractions in two fractions per week. The average fractionation regimen of HDR brachytherapy is about 8 fractions of 4.1 Gy each to Point A. In Korea, treatment results for HDR brachytherapy are comparable with the LDR series and appears to be a safe and effective alternative to LDR therapy for the treatment of cervical carcinoma. Studies from the major centers report the five-year survival rate of cervical cancer as. 78-86$\%$ for Stage 1, 68-85$\%$ for stage 11, and 38-56$\%$ for Stage III. World-wide questionnaire study and Japanese questionnaire survey of multiple institutions showed no survival difference in any stages and dose-rate effect ratio (HDR/LDR) was calculated to be 0.54 to 0.58. However the optimum treatment doses and fractionation schemes appropriate to generate clinical results comparable to conventional LDR schemes have yet to be standardized. In conclusion, HDR intracavitary radiotherapy is increasingly practiced in Korea and an effective treatment modality for cervical cancer. To determine the optimum radiotherapy dose and fractionation schedule, a nation-wide prospective study is necessary in Korea. In addition, standardization of HDR application (clinical, computer algorithms, and dosimetric aspects) is necessary.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.171-175
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• 2013

Applicator of various kind of number ten kinds is used to raise from efficiency of brachytherapy to maximum. The compatibility of radiation source and applicator is very important subject for safety brachytherapy. Developed high dose rate brachytherapy source through Hanaro nuclear reactor in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and improve compatibility with using equipment in present. In this research, we wished to evaluate stability mechanical safety of radiation source and we developed phantom for evaluate several quality about Ir-192 sealed source that improve newly in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and is improved. The result for suitability of Ir-192 HDR source with brachytherapy tools that did normal operation in 2.2~2.7 cm extent about change of equal curvature and consider change of sudden curvature that did normal operation in radius 1.5~1.8 cm extent.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 1996

Purpose : This is a retrospective study to compare the Palliation rates, survival rates and complications of low dose rate and high dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy in the management of malignant airway obstruction. Materials and methods : Forty three consecutive patients with malignant airway compromise from primary or metastatic lung tumors were treated with low dose rate(LDR) endobronchial Iridium-192 insertion(21 patients) between October 1988 and June 1992, and high dose rate(HDR) endobronchial brachytherapy(22 patients) between August 1992 and April 1994 with palliative aim Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy under fluoroscopic control was utilized in all 91 procedures. Twenty seven LDR Procedures delivered a dose of 5-7.5 Gy to a 1.0 cm radius respectively. Results : Subjective and objective responses to treatments were evaluated on follow-up examinations by clinical examination, chest x-rays and CT scan of the chest on some patients. Fifteen of 21 LDR patients and 19 of 22 HDR Patients showed subjective improvement in terms of better breathing and less Productive cough as well as complete disappearance of hemoptysis. Objective improvement on chest x-rays and CT scan of the chest had been demonstrated on 8 LDR Patients and 10 HDR patients. Conclusion : The technique of LDR and HDR endobronchial brachytherapy is simple and well tolerated procedure with minimal morbidity It Provides excellent palliation by keeping airway Patent in these short life-spanned patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.30-44
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• 1998

Accurate delivery of doses using a high dose rate(HDR) brachytherapy, remote afterloading system(RALS) depends on knowing the strength of the radioactive source at the time of treatment, the precision and consistency of the timer, and the ability of the unit to position the source at the proper dwell location along the applicator. Periodic Quality Assurance(QA) on HDR machines is a part of the standard protocol of any user. The safety of the patient & staff, positional accuracy, temporal accuracy, and dose delivery accuracy are periodically(weekly, quarterly, monthly) estimated using HDR source(Ir-192), treatment planning devices, measurement devices, and overall treatment devices with regard to treatment delivery. The overall measurement results are estimated successfully and assessed its clinical significance. As a result, our HDR brachytherapy units has been very accurate until now. The QA program protocol permits routine clinical use and provides a high confidence level in the accurate operation of HDR units. Therefore, regular QA of HDR brachytherapy is essential for successful treatment.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2003

High dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy for treating a cervix carcinoma has become popular, because it eliminates many of the problems associated with conventional brachytherapy. In order to improve the clinical effectiveness with HDR brachytherapy, a dose calculation algorithm, optimization procedures, and image registrations need to be verified by comparing the dose distributions from a planning computer and those from a phantom. In this study, the phantom was fabricated in order to verify the absolute doses and the relative dose distributions. The measured doses from the phantom were then compared with the treatment planning system for the dose verification. The phantom needs to be designed such that the dose distributions can be quantitatively evaluated by utilizing the dosimeters with a high spatial resolution. Therefore, the small size of the thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips with a dimension of <1/8"and film dosimetry with a spatial resolution of <1mm used to measure the radiation dosages in the phantom. The phantom called a pelvic phantom was made from water and the tissue-equivalent acrylic plates. In order to firmly hold the HDR applicators in the water phantom, the applicators were inserted into the grooves of the applicator holder. The dose distributions around the applicators, such as Point A and B, were measured by placing a series of TLD chips (TLD-to-TLD distance: 5mm) in the three TLD holders, and placing three verification films in the orthogonal planes. This study used a Nucletron Plato treatment planning system and a Microselectron Ir-192 source unit. The results showed good agreement between the treatment plan and measurement. The comparisons of the absolute dose showed agreement within $\pm$4.0 % of the dose at point A and B, and the bladder and rectum point. In addition, the relative dose distributions by film dosimetry and those calculated by the planning computer show good agreement. This pelvic phantom could be a useful to verify the dose calculation algorithm and the accuracy of the image localization algorithm in the high dose rate (HDR) planning computer. The dose verification with film dosimetry and TLD as quality assurance (QA) tools are currently being undertaken in the Catholic University, Seoul, Korea.