Assignment on Nuclear Medicine & Radiology

Course Name: Biomedical Application of Nuclear technology

Course Code: NE-3209

Submitted to:
Engr. Mohammad Monzur Hossain Khan
Associate professor & Chairman
Department of Nuclear Engineering.

Submitted by:
Minhajur Rahman, student of Department of Nuclear Engineering 5th
batch
Roll: 25(NUE-AE-025)
Session: 2017-18
 Chapter 8: Dose Distribution and Scatter Analysis
Example 1: The percent depth dose for a 15 × 15 field size, 10-cm depth, and 80-cm SSD is 58.4 ('OCO
beam). Find the percent depth dose for the same field size and depth for a 100-cm SSD.

Solution: As we know the Mayneord F factor is,

𝑓 +𝑑 𝑓 +𝑑
𝐹 = ( 𝑓2 + 𝑑 𝑚)2 . ( 𝑓1 + 𝑑 )2 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(1)
1 𝑚 2
Where, 𝑓1 = SSD for first irradiation condition = 80 cm
𝑓2 = SSD for second irradiation condition = 100 cm
𝑑 = depth at which percent depth dose is measured = 10 cm
And assuming,
𝑑𝑚 = reference depth = 0.5 cm for 60Co ϒ rays

Putting these values into eqn(1), we get,

100+0.5 80+10
𝐹 = ( 80+0.5 )2 (100+10)2
=1.043

As, we also know,

𝑃(𝑑,𝑟,𝑓2 )
Mayneord F factor, 𝐹 = 𝑃(𝑑,𝑟,𝑓1 )
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………(2)
Where, P (d, r, f2) = percent depth dose at 10 cm depth, 15 cm field size and 100 cm SSD
P (d, r, f1) = percent depth dose at 10 cm depth, 15 cm field size and 80 cm SSD = 58.4

Putting value of F into eqn(2),

𝑃(𝑑, 𝑟, 𝑓2 )
1.043 =
58.4
∴ P (d, r, f2) = 60.9
Thus, the desired percent dose is 60.9

Example 2: A patient is to be treated with an orthovoltage beam having a half-value layer of 3 mm Cu.
Supposing that the machine is calibrated in terms of exposure rate in air, find the time required to
deliver 200 cGy (rad) at 5 cm depth, given the following data: exposure rate = 100 R/min at 50 cm, field
size = 8 × 8 cm, SSD = 50 cm, percent depth dose = 64.8, backscatter factor = 1.20, and rad/R = 0.95.

Solution: Given,
Exposure rate = 100 R/min
Rontgen to rad conversion factor = 0.95
Aeq = Transmission factor =1 (for orthovoltage beam)

Dose rate in free space = exposure rate × rad/R factor × Aeq

=100 × 0.95 × 1
=95 cGy/min
Dmax rate = dose rate free space × BSF(backscatter factor)
=95 × 1.20
=114 cGy/min

Tumor dose to be delivered = 200 cGy

tumor dose(dose at the targeted tissue)
Dmax to be delivered = percent depth dose
× 100
200
= 64.8 × 100
=308.6 cGy

𝐷𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑
Treatment time = 𝐷𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
308.6
= 114
=2.71 min

Example 3: A patient is to be treated with 60Co radiation. Supposing that the machine is calibrated in air
in terms of dose rate free space, find the treatment time to deliver 200 cGy (rad) at a depth of 8 an,
given the following data: dose rate free space = 150 cGy/min at 80.5 cm for a field size of 10 × 10 cm,
SSD = 80 cm, percent depth dose = 64.1, and backscatter factor = 1.036.

Solution: We know,
Dmax rate = dose rate free space × BSF(backscatter factor)
=150 × 1.036
=155.4 cGy/min
Also,
tumor dose(dose at the targeted tissue)
Dmax to be delivered = percent depth dose
× 100
200
= × 100
64.1
=312 cGy
312
Treatment time = 155.4 =2.01 min

Example 4: Determine the time required to deliver 200 cGy (rad) with a 60Co Y ray beam at the isocenter
(a point of intersection of the collimator axis and the gantry axis of rotation) which is placed at a 10 cm
depth in a patient, given the following data: SAD = 80 cm, field size = 6 × 12 cm (at the isocenter), dose
rate free space at the SAD for this field = 120 cGy/min and TAR = 0.681

6×12
Solution: A/P for 6 x 12 cm field =2(6×12) = 2
So, side of equivalent square would be = 4 × A/P =8 cm
Given,
Tissue-Air Ratio, TAR (10, 8 × 8) = 0.681
Dose in free space, Dfs =120 cGy/min
Dose at targeted tissue, Dd = 200 cGy
We know,
 𝐷𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝐷𝑓𝑠 200
TAR = 𝐷𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑒 = 𝐷𝑑
= 0.681 =293.7 cGy
Dose rate free space at the SAD for the field, Dfs rate = 120 cGy/min (Given)
𝐷𝑓𝑠 293.7
Treatment time =𝐷 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
= 120
=2.45 min
𝑓𝑠

Chapter 23: Prostate Implants

Example 1: A prostate gland implant with 125I seeds delivered an initial dose rate of 0.07 Gy/h to the
prostate gland. What will be the dose delivered after (a) 1 month and (b) after complete decay of the
sources?[ Half-life of 125I = 59.4 days]

Solution: Given,
Half-life of 125I, 𝑇1 =59.4 days
2
Average life of 125I, 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 1.44 × 𝑇1
2
= 1.44 × 59.6
=85.54 days
=2052.9 hours
Initial dose rate, 𝐷̇0 = 0.07 Gy/h

The cumulated dose after time t is given by,

0.693𝑡/𝑇1
𝐷𝑐 =𝐷̇0 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔 (1 − 𝑒 2)
0.693×30/59.4
=0.07 × 2052.9 × (1 − 𝑒 )
=42.44 Gy

Total dose after complete decay of source,

𝐷𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 =𝐷̇0 𝑇𝑎𝑣𝑔
=0.07× 2052.9
=143.7 Gy

Chapter 22: High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy

Example 1: Calculate barrier thickness at a distance of 5 feet from the HDR source to protect a
controlled area.

Solution: Because the HDR source, 192Ir requires less shielding than a megavoltage teletherapy unit and
can be assumed isotropic (same intensity in all directions) in the context of shielding design, it is
reasonable to construct all barriers of the same thickness. Additionally, as a conservative measure, one
could design all barriers as primary, for a maximum transmission of 2 mrems in any 1 hour. Or, even
more conservatively, a limit of 2 mrem/h (instantaneous dose rate) could be adopted.
Assuming that, from radiation protection point of view in this case, 1R ≅ 1cGy ≅ 1 rem, the dose
equivalent rate (Ḣ) at a distance of 5 feet from the source is given by inverse square law:
𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚 − 𝑐𝑚2
𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝑚𝐶𝑖) × 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 ( )
̇ 𝑚𝐶𝑖 − ℎ
𝐻=
(𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑚)2
Here,
Activity of 192Ir = 10000 mCi
Exposure rate constant = 4.69 Rcm2/mCi-h
𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚 − 𝑐𝑚2
10000 𝑚𝐶𝑖 × (4.69 × 1000 )
𝑚𝐶𝑖 − ℎ
∴ 𝐻̇ = 𝑐𝑚
(5𝑓𝑡 × 30.5 2 )2
𝑓𝑡
= 20000 𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚/ℎ
Suppose, B is the barrier transmission factor required to reduce Ḣ to 2 mrem/h, therefore:
𝐵 = 10−3
If n is the number of TVLs required for shielding
1
( )𝑛 = 10−3
10
1 1
⟹ ( )𝑛 = ( )3
10 10
⟹ 𝑛=3
Since tenth-value layer (TVL) = 5.8 inches of concrete (density 2.35 gcm-3)
∴Barrier thickness = 3 × 5.8 inches
=17.4 inches

Example 2: What is the door shielding required if a maze is provided for an HDR suite, with source to
wall (facing the door) distance of 15 ft and maze length of 10 ft?

Solution: For 192Ir source,

Activity of 192Ir = 10000 mCi
Exposure rate constant = 4.69 Rcm2/mCi-h
Besides, assuming some parameters,
Average reflection coefficient, α = 2 × 10-2 /m2
The area of scatter at the facing wall, A = 5 m2
With the maze wall thickness of 18 inches of concrete, the transmitted dose incident at the door would
be 2 mrem/h or less, the dose rate (𝐻̇𝑠 ) due to scatter off the wall facing the inside of the door can be
calculated as follows:
𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚 − 𝑐𝑚2
𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝑚𝐶𝑖) × 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 ( ) × α /𝑚2 × A(𝑚2 )
𝑚𝐶𝑖 − ℎ
𝐻̇𝑠 =
(𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑚)2 (𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑎𝑧𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑚)2
𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚 − 𝑐𝑚2
10000 𝑚𝐶𝑖 × (4.69 × 1000 ) × 2 × 10−2 /𝑚2 × 5𝑚2
𝑚𝐶𝑖 − ℎ
= 𝑐𝑚 𝑐𝑚
(10𝑓𝑡 × 30.5 2 )2 (15𝑓𝑡 × 30.5 2 )2
𝑓𝑡 𝑓𝑡
 = 2.4 × 10−4 𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚/ℎ

which is negligible. Thus, no shielding is required for the door if an appropriate maze is provided in an
HDR suite.

Example 3: Evaluate the shielding of an existing 6 MV linear accelerator for HDR use.

Solution: We know,
TVL for 192Ir source = 5.8 inches of concrete
If a secondary barrier for a 6-MV room is 40 inches of concrete and the minimum distance between the
source and the area to be evaluated for protection is 10 ft, then the effective dose equivalent rate (𝐻̇) in
the area can be calculated as below:
1 40
𝐵 = ( )5.8
10
= 1.27 × 10−7
𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚 − 𝑐𝑚2
𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦(𝑚𝐶𝑖) × 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 ( )×𝐵
𝑚𝐶𝑖 − ℎ
𝐻̇ =
(𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑚)2
Here,
Activity of 192Ir = 10000 mCi
Exposure rate constant = 4.69 Rcm2/mCi-h
𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚 − 𝑐𝑚2
10000 𝑚𝐶𝑖 × (4.69 × 1000 ) × 1.27 × 10−7
𝑚𝐶𝑖 − ℎ
∴ 𝐻̇ = 𝑐𝑚
(10𝑓𝑡 × 30.5 2 )2
𝑓𝑡
= 6.4 × 10−5 𝑚𝑟𝑒𝑚/ℎ
which is negligible. Thus, no shielding is required for the linear accelerator.

Chapter 10: A system of Dosimetric Calculations

Example 1: A 4-MV linear accelerator is calibrated to give 1 rad (10-2 Gy) per MU in phantom at a
reference depth of maximum dose of 1 cm, 100-cm SSD, and 10 × 10 cm field size. Determine the MU
values to deliver 200 rads to a patient at 100-cm SSD, 10-cm depth, and 15 × 15 cm field size, given
Sc(15 × 15) = 1.020, Sp(15 × 15) = 1.010, %DD = 65.1.

Solution: We know,
If the Sc factors relate to collimator field sizes defined at the SAD, the monitor units necessary to deliver
a certain tumor dose (TD) at depth d for a field size r at the surface at any SSD are given by:
𝑇𝐷 ×100
𝑀𝑈 = 𝑘×(%𝐷𝐷) × 𝑠 (𝑟 )× 𝑠 (𝑟) ×𝑆𝑆𝐷 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟……………………………………………………………………………………………(1)
𝑑 𝑐 𝑐 𝑝

Besides,
𝑆𝐶𝐷
𝑆𝑆𝐷 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = (𝑆𝑆𝐷+𝑡 )2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….(2)
0
So, combining these two equations
𝑇𝐷 ×100
𝑀𝑈 = 𝑆𝐶𝐷 ………………………………………………………………………………………………(3)
𝑘×(%𝐷𝐷)𝑑 × 𝑠𝑐 (𝑟𝑐 )× 𝑠𝑝 (𝑟) ×( )2
𝑆𝑆𝐷+𝑡0
Where,
TD = tumor dose (dose to be delivered at the point of interest) = 200 cGy
K = calibration dose per MU at 10 cm under reference conditions = 1
Sc(rc) = collimator scatter factor for the collimator defined field size 15 × 15 = 1.020
Sp = phantom scatter factor at 10 cm for the field size 15 × 15 at the surface =1.010
SSD = source to surface distance = 100 cm
SCD = source to calibration point distance at which TD is specified = (100 + 1) cm= 101 cm
t0 = reference depth of maxm dose = 1 cm
%DD = percent depth dose = %DD (10, 15 × 15, 100) = 65.1
Substituting these values into eqn (3),
200 × 100
𝑀𝑈 =
101
1 × 65.1 × 1.020 × 1.010 × (100 + 1)2
= 298.21

Example 3: A tumor dose of 200 rads is to be delivered at the isocenter which is located at a depth of 8
cm, given 4-MV x-ray beam, field size at the isocenter = 6 × 6 cm, Sc(6 × 6) = 0.970, Sp(6 × 6) = 0.990,
machine calibrated at SCD = 100 cm, TMR(8, 6 × 6) = 0.787.

Solution: We know,
TMR is the quantity of choice for dosimetric calculations involving isocentric techniques. Since the unit is
calibrated to give 1 rad (10-2 Gy)/MU at the reference depth t0, calibration distance SCD, and for the
reference field (10 × 10 cm), then the monitor units necessary to deliver isocenter dose (ID) at depth d
are given by:
𝐼𝐷
𝑀𝑈 = 𝑘×𝑇𝑀𝑅(𝑑,𝑟 )× 𝑠 (𝑟 )× 𝑠 (𝑟 ) ×𝑆𝐴𝐷 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟…………………………………………………………………………………………(1)
𝑑 𝑐 𝑐 𝑝 𝑑
Besides,
𝑆𝐶𝐷
𝑆𝐴𝐷 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = (𝑆𝐴𝐷)2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..(2)

So, combining these two equations

𝐼𝐷
𝑀𝑈 = 𝑆𝐶𝐷 ……………………………………………………………………………………………….(3)
𝑘×𝑇𝑀𝑅(𝑑,𝑟𝑑 )× 𝑠𝑐 (𝑟𝑐 )× 𝑠𝑝 (𝑟𝑑 ) ×( )2
𝑆𝐴𝐷
Where,
ID = isocenter dose (dose to be delivered at the isocenter point of interest) = 200 cGy
K = calibration dose per MU at 8 cm under reference conditions = 1
Sc(rc) = collimator scatter factor for the collimator defined field size 6 × 6 = 0.970
Sp(rd) = phantom scatter factor at 10 cm for the field size 6 × 6 at the surface = 0.990
Tissue maximum ratio = TMR (8,6 × 6) = 0.787
SCD = source to calibration point distance at which ID is specified = 100 cm
SAD = source to axis distance at which ID is delivered = 100 cm
SAD factor = 1
Substituting these values in eqn(3),
200
𝑀𝑈 =
100
1 × 0.787 × 0.970 × 0.990 × (100)2
 = 264.64

Example 5:
A tumor dose of 200 rads is to be delivered at a 8-cm depth, using 15 × 15-cm field size, 100 cm SSD,
and penumbra trimmers up. The unit is calibrated to give 130 rads/min in phantom at a 0.5-cm depth
for a 10 × 10-cm field with trimmers up and SSD = 80 cm. Determine the time of irradiation, given S c(12
× 12) = 1.012, Sp(15 × 15) = 1.014, and %DD (8, 15 × 15, 100) = 68.7.

Solution: In this case, SAD = 80 cm

80
So, field size projected at SAD(80 cm), rc = 15 × 100
=12 cm × 12 cm
For 60Co teletherapy, the required time of irritation is given by:
𝑇𝐷 ×100
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒= 𝐷 ×(%𝐷𝐷) × 𝑠 (𝑟 )× 𝑠 (𝑟) ×𝑆𝑆𝐷 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟……………………………………………………………………………………………(1)
0 𝑑 𝑐 𝑐 𝑝
Besides,
𝑆𝐶𝐷 2
𝑆𝑆𝐷 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = ( ) …………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………….(2)
𝑆𝑆𝐷+𝑡0

So, combining these two equations

𝑇𝐷 ×100
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒= 𝑆𝐶𝐷 …………………………………………………….…………………………………………(3)
𝐷0 ×(%𝐷𝐷)𝑑 × 𝑠𝑐 (𝑟𝑐 )× 𝑠𝑝 (𝑟) ×( )2
𝑆𝑆𝐷+𝑡0
Where,
TD = tumor dose(dose to be delivered at the point of interest) = 200 cGy
Sc(rc) = collimator scatter factor for the collimator defined field size 12× 12 = 1.012
Sp = phantom scatter factor at 10 cm for the field size 15 × 15 at the surface =1.014
SSD = source to surface distance = 100 cm
SCD = source to calibration point distance at which TD is specified =80.5 cm
t0 = reference depth of maxm dose = 0.5 cm
%DD = percent depth dose = %DD(8, 15 × 15, 100) = 68.7
D0 (5, 10 × 10, 80) = 130 rads/min

Now, substituting these values in eqn(3)

200 × 100
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 =
80.5
130 × 68.7 × 1.012 × 1.014 × ( )2
100 + 0.5
= 3.40𝑚𝑖𝑛

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑫