Computer simulation for the stereotactic placement of interstitial radionuclide sources into computed tomography-defined tumor volumes.

This report describes a method for the preoperative determination of radioactive interstitial source placement within computed tomography (CT)-defined tumor boundaries. The method utilizes CT data obtained under stereotactic conditions. Tumor boundaries are digitized from CT slices and are retained in a three-dimensional computer matrix. A solid tumor volume is created by an interpolation program and may be sliced orthogonal to any specific stereotactic surgical view line. The surgeon may simulate radioactive source placement within the slices and view the resultant isodose configuration against tumor contours on successive slices. Once the best source placement has been determined, the computer outputs the mechanical adjustments that will be necessary on a stereotactic frame located in the operating room for the stereotactic placement of each source and gives the length of each source. Sources are stereotactically implanted utilizing a double-catheter afterloading technique.