Program Information
Dosimetric Impact Due to FlexiShield in Electronic Brachytherapy (eBx) of Breast IORT: A Phantom Study
Y Kim*, J Huynh , M Ley , V Gonzalez , University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Presentations
SU-E-T-325 (Sunday, July 12, 2015) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall
Purpose: To evaluate dosimetric change of eBx plan due to Flexishield.
Methods: To simulate a clinically difficult case (skin spacing < 1 cm and touching chest wall), prostheses breast tissue phantom overlaid Xoft spherical balloon applicator. To minimize significant metal streak artifact, megavoltage CT (MVCT) scan was acquired using helical TomoTherapy HiART. Two sets of MVCT images were taken with/without FlexiShield for 15 cases: 4 for small (3-4 cm), 4 for medium (4-5 cm) and 7 for large (5-6 cm) balloon. Total 30 MVCT scans were obtained with 50 % contrast to improve image contrast of balloon relative to breast tissue phantom. Balloon deformation was measured in anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) dimensions in the middle of balloon. Skin spacing was also evaluated. Treatment plan was made based on each MVCT scan and two balloon surface doses (AP and LAT directions) and skin dose were compared between plans with/without FlexiShield.
Results: The balloon was deformed due to pressure from both FlexiShield (skin side) and FlexiShield mini (chest wall side). Mean ± standard deviation (maximum) value was 1.5 ± 1.0 mm (3.3 mm) for AP compression and 0.4 ± 0.3 mm (1.1 mm) for LAT expansion. Balloon surface dose was increased by 1.8 ± 1.2 Gy (4.9 Gy) at AP point and decreased by 0.4 ± 0.4 Gy (1.3 Gy) at LAT point. Skin spacing was constantly reduced by 1.1 ± 0.8 mm (3 mm). Skin surface dose was increased by 1.5 ± 0.8 Gy (3.3 Gy) and its relative increase was 17.9 ± 9.3% (39.6%).
Conclusion: FlexiShield deforms the balloon and reduces skin spacing, thereby resulting in higher dose in AP direction, lower dose in LAT direction, and elevated skin dose compared to the plan without FlexiShield. In the clinic, this balloon deformation and corresponding dose variation should be considered.
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