Dosimetry of Ir-192 wires for LDR interstitial brachytherapy following theAAPM TG-43 dosimetric formalism

Implementation of the AAPM Task Group 43 dosimetric formalism for Ir-192 wi res used as interstitial sources in low dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy appli cations is investigated. Geometry factors, dose-rate constant values, radia l dose functions, and anisotropy functions, utilized in this formalism, wer e calculated for various lengths of all commercially available wire source designs by means of a well-established Monte Carlo simulation code and an i mproved modification of the Sievert integral method. Results are presented in the form of look up tables that allow interpolation for dose-rate calcul ations around all practically used wire lengths, with accuracy acceptable f or clinical applications. (C) 2001 American Association of Physicists in Me dicine.