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Buildup factors and dose around a 1 3 7 Cs source in the presence of inhomogeneities
Author(s) -
Prasad Satish C.,
Bassano Daniel A.,
Kubsad Shrikant S.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.595339
Subject(s) - point source , physics , dosimetry , imaging phantom , nuclear medicine , atomic physics , optics , medicine
The effect of inhomogeneities on dose near a gamma‐ray source has been investigated. Experimental measurements were made with a 1 3 7 Cs source in a polystyrene phantom at a distance of 5 cm from the source. Inhomogeneities consisted of 2‐cm‐thick slabs interposed between the source and the plane of measurement. Dose correction factors (DCF) for 2‐cm‐thick aluminum, bone, lung, and air have been determined. Our results show that for 1 3 7 Cs source the dose correction factors are of the order of 3% to 8%. A theoretical model for calculation of dose correction factor in brachytherapy in the presence of inhomogeneities has been developed. The model calculates DCF using buildup factors for the water‐equivalent path between the source and the point of calculation. Good agreement was found between calculations and experimental measurements.