We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Surface Dose Effects of Linen Coverings for Breast and Chest Wall Patients.
- Authors
Fagerstrom, Jessica M.; Hirata, Emily Y.
- Abstract
Purpose. To evaluate the effect of various linen patient coverings on surface dose in breast and chest wall patient geometries. Methods. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were placed on the chest wall surface of an anthropomorphic male phantom that was irradiated with photon tangent beams and electron enface fields with a circular block. Separate measurements were performed on the phantom while it was covered with a hospital gown, a sheet, and a towel; all 3 items together; and without any coverings. Photon and electron beams of varying energies were used to reproduce typical patient treatments. Results. Measured surface dose increased with use of the gown (4.6 ± 2.1% to 6.9 ± 2.7% for photon beams, and 0.0 ± 3.6% to 3.0 ± 2.2% for electron beams). The TLD readings showed an overall increase in dose for photons with an increased thickness of covering; however, electron results did not show a definitive relationship between surface dose and covering thickness because of statistical uncertainties associated with the TLD readings. Discussion. TLD readings confirmed previously published findings that increasing linen covering thickness increases surface dose for 6 MV photons. However, this study used an anthropomorphic, clinically-relevant setup to measure both entrance and exit doses and tested a 16 MV photon beam as well. Surface dose increased with 16 MV photons, although results were not statistically significant for electrons. Conclusion. Initial TLD results suggest that draping patients with linen coverings may increase skin dose. An increase in surface dose was clear with photon irradiations that mimicked patient treatments, although similar electron irradiations demonstrated inconclusive results.
- Subjects
ANALYSIS of variance; BEDDING; BREAST; CLOTHING &; dress; COMPARATIVE studies; HUMAN anatomical models; RESEARCH methodology; IMAGING phantoms; PROBABILITY theory; RADIATION doses; RADIATION dosimetry; RADIOTHERAPY; CHEST (Anatomy); IN vitro studies
- Publication
Radiation Therapist, 2014, Vol 23, Issue 2, p119
- ISSN
1084-1911
- Publication type
Article