M K Islam1, F Saeedi, N Al-Rajhi. 1. Department of Biomedical Physics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. islam@rmp.uhn.on.ca
Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of a simple and practical shielding device to reduce fetal dose for a patient undergoing radiation therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using 5-cm-thick lead bricks and a heavy-duty steel cart, a 50 x 50-cm portable shield was designed and fabricated to reduce fetal dose due to collimator scatter and head leakage radiation. With the gantry at 90 degrees /270 degrees the shield can be easily positioned between the machine head and the fetus to reduce peripheral dose. Dose measurements for 6-MV X-rays and 9-MeV electrons have been made, utilizing a Rando phantom, to quantify the effect of the shield. RESULTS: Measurements show that the peripheral dose to the fetus can be reduced by 60% when the simple shielding device is used.
PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of a simple and practical shielding device to reduce fetal dose for a patient undergoing radiation therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using 5-cm-thick lead bricks and a heavy-duty steel cart, a 50 x 50-cm portable shield was designed and fabricated to reduce fetal dose due to collimator scatter and head leakage radiation. With the gantry at 90 degrees /270 degrees the shield can be easily positioned between the machine head and the fetus to reduce peripheral dose. Dose measurements for 6-MV X-rays and 9-MeV electrons have been made, utilizing a Rando phantom, to quantify the effect of the shield. RESULTS: Measurements show that the peripheral dose to the fetus can be reduced by 60% when the simple shielding device is used.
Authors: Amir M Owrangi; Donald A Roberts; Elizabeth L Covington; James A Hayman; Kathryn M Masi; Choonik Lee; Jean M Moran; Joann I Prisciandaro Journal: J Appl Clin Med Phys Date: 2016-09-08 Impact factor: 2.102