Reformulation of anisotropy corrections in the static dose calculations in high dose rate brachytherapy

Abstract

Current polynomial methods used in the modelling of the dose distributions in high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy have been reformulated to improve accuracy. An example is provided in order to assess the errors in some of the conventional methods. We observed relatively high discrepancies between our accurate results and those from some of the standard models, but acknowledge that our algorithm is not very easy to use. We therefore advocate a departure from the polynomial methods of modelling, which are merely empirical and do not reflect the physical processes of the interaction of radiation with tissue. We suggest the use of the parameters like the absorption and attenuation coefficients for the primary and scatter photon beams. With this, we shall have easy - to - use algorithms; doses could be calculated accurately both within and beyond the region of parametrization. Corrections could also be made for finite patient sizes and shapes.

JOURNAL OF THE GHANA SCIENCE ASSOCIATION Volume 2 No. 2 (2000) pp. 129-135