Biomedical subjects

Dimos Baltas

Publications and source records attributed to Dimos Baltas.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

A geometry based optimization algorithm for conformal external beam radiotherapy.

A geometric solution of the problem of optimal orientation of beams in conformal external radiotherapy is presented. The method uses geometric derived quantities which consider the intersection volume between organs at risk (OAR) and the beam shape. In comparison to previous geometric methods a true 3D volume computation is used which takes into account beam divergence, concave shapes, as well as treatment settings such as individual beam shaping by blocks or multi-leaf collimators. For standard dosimetric cost functions used by dose optimization algorithms a corresponding set of geometric objective functions is proposed. We compare the correlations between geometric and dosimetric cost functions for two clinical cases, a prostate and a head tumour case. A correlation is observed for the prostate case, whereas for the head case it is less pronounced due to the larger part of overlapping volumes between the beams which cannot be considered by the used objectives. In comparison to not-optimized beam directions the dose distribution is significantly better for the beam directions found by the optimization of a geometric multi-objective cost function. An optimal dose distribution can easily be achieved using the geometric model. This is shown by comparing for the two cases the dose-volume histograms (DVH) of manually optimized plans by experienced planners and the DVHs of the geometrically found optimal solutions. In comparison to the manually optimized plans the solutions found by the geometric method significantly reduce the average dose in the OARs and NT, while maintaining the same PTV coverage. The optimization requires only a few seconds and could be used to improve the performance of inverse planning algorithms in radiotherapy for the determination of the optimal direction of beams.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

Palliative interstitial HDR brachytherapy for recurrent rectal cancer. Implantation techniques and results.

PURPOSE: To report the methods and clinical results of CT-based interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy procedures for the palliative treatment of recurrent rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 44 brachytherapy implants were performed in 38 patients. CT-guided catheter implants were performed in 34 patients under local anesthesia and sedation, and four patients were implanted intraoperatively. Of 40 CT-guided implants, 20 were done using metallic needles introduced via the sacrum and 20 were transperineal implants of plastic tubes in the presacral region. Postimplant CT scans were used for three-dimensional (3-D) conformal brachytherapy planning. Patients implanted with metallic needles were given a single fraction of 10-15 Gy using HDR (192)Ir, and those who received transperineal implants of plastic catheters were given fractionated brachytherapy, 5 Gy twice daily to a total dose of 30-40 Gy. The median tumor volume was 225 cm(3) with a range of 41-2,103 cm(3). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 23.4 months, a total of 13/38 patients were alive. The median postbrachytherapy survival was 15 months with 18 of the 25 deaths due to distant metastases. Tumor response was as follows: 6/38 partial remission, 28/38 stable disease, and 4/38 local progression. A planning target volume (PTV) coverage > 85% was achieved in 42/44 implants. The treatment was well tolerated, and no acute complications were observed. One patient developed a fistula after 8 months. Pain relief was recorded in 34 patients (89.5%), and the median duration of this palliative effect was 5 months with a range of 1-13 months. CONCLUSIONS: Interstitial HDR brachytherapy is a valuable tool for the delivery of high doses and achieves effective palliation in recurrent rectal carcinoma.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

On the dosimetric accuracy of a Sievert integration model in the proximity of 192Ir HDR sources.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of a Sievert integration model in dosimetry close to 192Ir high-dose-rate brachytherapy sources and validate its accuracy and potential to resolve dosimetric differences between these sources in the cm and mm distance ranges relevant to interstitial and intravascular brachytherapy applications, respectively. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The dosimetric quantities of the generalized Task Group 43 formalism, as well as dose rate profiles in polar and Cartesian coordinates, are calculated, and results are compared to corresponding Monte Carlo data in the literature. RESULTS: Sievert calculations were found in excellent agreement with corresponding Monte Carlo published results. Dose rate polar angle profiles in the cm distance range depended significantly on corresponding anisotropy function data, whereas in the mm distance range, dose rate polar angle profiles are governed by the corresponding geometry function profiles, because anisotropy proved insignificant. Radial dose functions of the sources were found comparable. A simple equation for the calculation of the dose rate constant of the sources within clinically acceptable accuracy is provided. CONCLUSIONS: The particular Sievert model proved capable of resolving dosimetric differences of the sources and provides results within clinical accuracy. Therefore, it constitutes a useful tool for dosimetry in clinical practice and especially in intravascular applications, where there is currently a lack of available dosimetric data.

Anisotropy↗

PubMed2002

Dosimetric calculations and VIPAR polymer gel dosimetry close to the microSelectron HDR.

In the present study, different dosimetric methods were investigated for their ability to predict the energy dose in the vicinity of the microSelectron HDR 192Ir brachytherapy source. The results of a time-efficient Sievert integral model of proven accuracy in the cm distance range from all 192Ir sources were benchmarked against accurate Monte Carlo derived dosimetric data in the close vicinity of the source. This comparison revealed that the Sievert model is capable of accurate dosimetry even in the mm distance range from the source. The dose rate distributions were compared with results obtained from different versions (v. 13.7 and 14.2.2) of the Plato BPS commercial treatment planning system, for an application following the Paris trial intravascular irradiation protocol. The results of brachytherapy planning system calculations were found reliable at radial distances of clinical relevance. Noticeable errors existed only in the extreme case of dose calculations at 2 mm from the source axis using Plato v. 13.7. Experimental dosimetric data for the intravascular application, as obtained through the VIPAR polymer gel-MRI method, were also evaluated for dose verification purposes. This method allowed with reasonable accuracy the verification of absolute dose distributions for peripheral vessel applications using 192Ir sources.

Brachytherapy↗