Mk. Islam et al., A simplified shielding approach for limiting fetal dose during radiation therapy of pregnant patients, INT J RAD O, 49(5), 2001, pp. 1469-1473
Citations number
9
Categorie Soggetti
Radiology ,Nuclear Medicine & Imaging","Onconogenesis & Cancer Research
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS
Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of a simple and practical shieldi
ng device to reduce fetal dose for a patient undergoing radiation therapy o
f 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 fe
tal dose due to collimator scatter and head leakage radiation. With the gan
try 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 phan
tom, to quantify the effect of the shield.
Results: Measurements show that the peripheral dose to the fetus can be red
uced by 60% when the simple shielding device is used. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci
ence Inc.