Radiology, Vol 124, 507-510, Copyright © 1977 by Radiological Society of North America
Method for localizing and calculating vaginal dose in brachytherapy
Y Maruyama, JR Van Nagell, A Martin, C Coffey 2nd, K Schroader, D Tai, J Yoneda and H Kroliklewicz
Contrast agents in the vagina are being used to determine the position of
vaginal surfaces relative to applicators in an effort to assess dose at
these sites. Computer treatment planning allows consideration of dose at
many more sites than was formerly possible, but dose prescription to
critical tumor volumes then becomes of greater importance. Vaginal
reference dose points VR, VL, VA, and VP are proposed. With dose
specification determined at these points, the problem of low vaginal dose
from overly wide vaginal ovoid geometries and related difficulties can be
avoided. Attention to central vaginal doses can reduce the probability of
central pelvic recurrence in the vagina. We have found the VR, VL doses
were much larger than VA, VP doses in standard loaded implant
configurations.
