Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Baldock, C
• De Deene, Y
• Doran, S
• Ibbott, G
• Jirasek, A
• Lepage, M
• McAuley, K B
• Oldham, M
• Schreiner, L J

Titel

Polymer gel dosimetry

Ist Teil von

• Physics in medicine & biology, 2010-03, Vol.55 (5), p.R1-R63

Ort / Verlag

England: IOP Publishing

Erscheinungsjahr

2010

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Polymer gel dosimeters are fabricated from radiation sensitive chemicals which, upon irradiation, polymerize as a function of the absorbed radiation dose. These gel dosimeters, with the capacity to uniquely record the radiation dose distribution in three-dimensions (3D), have specific advantages when compared to one-dimensional dosimeters, such as ion chambers, and two-dimensional dosimeters, such as film. These advantages are particularly significant in dosimetry situations where steep dose gradients exist such as in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery. Polymer gel dosimeters also have specific advantages for brachytherapy dosimetry. Potential dosimetry applications include those for low-energy x-rays, high-linear energy transfer (LET) and proton therapy, radionuclide and boron capture neutron therapy dosimetries. These 3D dosimeters are radiologically soft-tissue equivalent with properties that may be modified depending on the application. The 3D radiation dose distribution in polymer gel dosimeters may be imaged using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical-computerized tomography (optical-CT), x-ray CT or ultrasound. The fundamental science underpinning polymer gel dosimetry is reviewed along with the various evaluation techniques. Clinical dosimetry applications of polymer gel dosimetry are also presented.