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C J Parnell

Publications and source records attributed to C J Parnell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Determination of contamination of a chemical warfare-proof operating theatre with volatile anaesthetic agents and assessment of anaesthetic gas scavenging systems.

Three types of anaesthetic waste scavenging systems (active antipollution system, Papworth Block passive system and activated charcoal absorber system) were compared with a non-scavenging control to assess their effectiveness in reducing waste halothane concentrations in a chemical warfare-proof operating theatre. All three systems were found to reduce the level of pollution significantly.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1988

Changes in relative biological effectiveness with depth of the Clatterbridge neutron therapy beam.

We have measured the biological equivalence of the Clatterbridge neutron therapy beam [p(62)-Be] and the Hammersmith neutron therapy beam [d(16)-Be] using the mouse intestinal crypt assay. The ratio (NDR) of Clatterbridge neutron (n + gamma) dose relative to Hammersmith neutron dose (n + gamma) was found to be 1.2-1.13 over a dose/fraction range of 1.8-9 Gy at 2 cm deep in a Perspex phantom. It is shown that the effectiveness of the Clatterbridge beam was reduced with penetration into the phantom because of hardening of the beam to a maximum reduction of 11% at 12 cm deep in the phantom. The hardening of the beam with depth of penetration will need to be taken into account by clinicians in assessing the tumour dose and tissue tolerance. Relative biological effectiveness values for the Clatterbridge and Hammersmith neutron beams were also measured. All neutron doses for both Hammersmith and Clatterbridge beams are total doses (n + gamma) which comply with the European protocol for neutron dosimetry and include the gamma-ray component of dose.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Effect of variation in the energy spectrum of a cyclotron-produced fast neutron beam in a phantom relevant to its application in radiotherapy.

The fast neutron spectrum of the beam produced by the MRC cyclotron at the Hammersmith Hospital has been measured in air and at several depths in a water phantom using three field sizes. The neutron spectra were determined both by a set of six threshold detectors and by a liquid scintillator spectrometer. Where a direct comparison of the two methods was possible the agreement was satisfactory. It was found that the shape of the spectrum, above 3 MeV, is unchanged with depth in the phantom, but for each field size the neutron fluence between 0.5 and 3.5 MeV increases significantly and reaches a maximum and the mean energy a minimum. This minimum decreases with increase in field size. Values of the kerma ratio in ICRU muscle to both that in A--150 plastic and bone were calculated and found to vary by less than 0.5% with depth in the phantom: that of carbon to ICRU muscle varied by 5%, and values of W for methane-based tissue-equivalent gas were found to change by less than 1%. Variations in biological response with changes in neutron spectrum are also discussed, together with the clinical significance of the results.

Fast Neutrons↗
PubMed1980

The isocentric fast neutron therapy facility at Edinburgh.

A second fast neutron beam for radiotherapy has been brought into operation at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. This beam is isocentrically mounted and can be rotated through +/- 120 deg from the vertical. Neutrons are produced by bombarding a thick beryllium target with 15 MeV deuterons. The provision of an isocentric facility enables some of the problems associated with poor beam penetration to be alleviated. The physical features of the isocentric facility are described with particular reference to the shielding and the methods employed to overcome problems of neutron activation. Both the prompt radiation leakage and the induced activity have been measured. It has been found that for the first eight months of operation the whole body dose-equivalent to radiographers was approximately 6 microSv (0.6 mrem) per patient treated. Dosimetry associated with the facility is discussed and an example of a seven field treatment plan for a bladder is presented.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗
PubMed1979

The fixed horizontal neutron therapy beam at Edinburgh: dosimetry and radiation protection.

A compact cyclotron producing 15 MeV deuterons has been installed at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, to extend the Medical Research Council's clinical trials of fast neutrons. Two treatment rooms are available one of which has an isocentric unit and the other a fixed horizontal beam which is the subject of this paper. A radiation protection survey has demonstrated safe levels of radiation throughout the building although there is some activation of the fixed horizontal beam cone resulting in doses to radiographers of 10 mrem per week. The calibration of neutron dose is discussed and the measurements of dose distribution described. Isodose and depth-dose data for both the neutron and photon components of the field are presented.

Air↗