Evaluation of a radiation transport modeling method for radioactive bone cement

Kaneko TS, Sehgal V, Skinner HB, Al-Ghazi MSAL, Ramsinghani NS, Keyak JH. Phys Med Biol 55:2451-63, 2010.

Bone-Rad researchers began by developing a Monte Carlo radiation transport modeling method for predicting the radiation dose distribution within vertebral bodies containing brachytherapy bone cement. This analytical tool was then evaluated experimentally by comparing model-predicted dose distributions with those measured in human cadaveric vertebrae containing actual radioactive bone cement. 



The radiation dose was measured with radiochromic film, which changes color when exposed to radiation. A precision band saw was used to cut slots for the radiochromic film within each vertebral body, at various distances from a hole that would be filled with a cylinder of radioactive bone cement. 



The vertebrae were CT scanned, and Monte Carlo radiation transport models were automatically generated from the CT scan data using software developed by Bone-Rad researchers. Radiation transport from the implanted cylinder of radioactive cement was simulated, resulting in a model-predicted radiation dose distribution within the vertebral body.



The model-predicted and measured dose distributions were compared and indicate that the modeling method can predict measured dose distributions with clinically relevant accuracy and within the experimental uncertainty. Thus, this proprietary method is a useful analytical tool that can be used for further developing brachytherapy bone cement to treat spinal metastases.



Source for all figures: Phys Med Biol. 2010 May 7;55(9):2451-63. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/55/9/002. [LINK]

© IOP Publishing.  Reproduced by permission of IOP Publishing. All rights reserved.