Evaluation of the shielding in a treatment room with an electronic brachytherapy unit

Autores de IIS La Fe

• Blanca Ibañez Rosello

  Autor

• Juan Antonio Bautista Ballesteros

  Autor

• Cristian Candela Juan

  Autor

• Juan Ignacio Villaescusa Blanca

  Autor

• Facundo Ballester Pallares

  Autor

• Javier Vijande Asenjo

  Autor

• José Pérez Calatayud

  Autor

Grupos

• Investigacion Biomédica en Imagen (GIBI 2-30)

  Investigador Principal

  Leonor Cerdá Alberich

• Unidad Mixta de Investigación en Radiofísica e Instrumentación nuclear en medicina

  Leader

  Facundo Ballester Pallares

Abstract

Esteya (R) (Elekta Brachytherapy, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) is an electronic brachytherapy (eBT) system based on a 69.5 kVp x-ray source and a set of collimators of 1 to 3 cm in diameter, used for treating non-melanoma skin cancer lesions. This study aims to estimate room shielding requirements for this unit. The non-primary (scattered and leakage) ambient dose equivalent rates were measured with a Berthold LB-133 monitor (Berthold Technologies, Bad Wildbad, Germany). The latter ranges from 17 mSv h(-1) at 0.25 m distance from the x-ray source to 0.1 mSv h(-1) at 2.5 m. The necessary room shielding was then estimated following US and some European guidelines. The room shielding for all barriers considered was below 2 mmPb. The dose to a companion who, exceptionally, would stay with the patient during all treatment was estimated to be below 1 mSv if a leaded apron is used. In conclusion, Esteya shielding requirements are minimal.

Keywords

• Esteya; electronic brachytherapy; shielding; radiation protection