Play-Doh and water-soaked gauze sponges as alternative bolus material for cobalt-60 teletherapy.

A study was performed to determine if carefully made boluses of either Play-Doh, or water-soaked cotton gauze sponges differed from the commercial bolus material, Superflab, in producing maximum radiation dose when irradiated with cobalt-60 photons. The radiation doses were measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters calibrated to be accurate for cobalt-60 photon energies at doses less than 10.0 cGy. The resulting radiation doses were similar when using Play-Doh, water-soaked sponges, or Superlab. Doses resulting from Play-Doh boluses more consistently approximated those of Superflab. The results of this study suggest that either Play-Doh or water-soaked cotton gauze sponges can suffice as material for carefully made bolus for cobalt-60 teletherapy.