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Spinal axis irradiation with electrons: Measurements of attenuation by the spinal processes
Author(s) -
MullerRunkel Renate,
Vijayakumar Srinivasan
Publication year - 1986
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 - 10.1118/1.595859
Subject(s) - attenuation , electron , medulloblastoma , irradiation , nuclear medicine , radiation therapy , photon , radiation , cathode ray , medicine , physics , optics , materials science , radiology , pathology , nuclear physics
Electrons may be used beneficially for spinal axis irradiation in medulloblastoma children to avoid some of the long‐term sequelae induced by megavoltage photons. However, the attenuation by the intervening bone ought to be considered. Three‐dimensional computer treatment planning with inhomogeneity correction for electron beams is not yet generally available, and alternate methods are needed to evaluate the attenuation by the complex bony structure of the spine. Here, we present our experimental data showing the alteration in the electron isodoses due to the intervening spinous processes. Film dosimetric measurements were made in the vertebral columns obtained from autopsies of a goat, a dog, and a child. Our results show that electron beam therapy for the spinal axis is a viable option.