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K R Hogstrom

Publications and source records attributed to K R Hogstrom.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Dosimetric evaluation of a two-dimensional, arc electron, pencil-beam algorithm in water and PMMA.

The accuracy of dose calculations from a pencil-beam algorithm developed specifically for arc electron beam therapy was evaluated at 10 and 15 MeV. Mid-arc depth-doses were measured for 0 degrees and 90 degrees arcs using 12 and 15 cm radius cylindrical water phantoms. Calculated depth-doses for the 90 degrees arced beams in the build-up region were as much as 3% less than measured values; the maximum dose was similar in magnitude but at a greater depth; and the therapeutic depth, R80, was 2-4 mm deeper. Calculated values of output (dose per monitor unit) at the depth of the maximum calculated dose were compared with measured values; for arcs ranging from 0-90 degrees, 12 and 15 cm radius water phantoms, and collimator widths of 4, 5 and 6 cm, results showed differences as great as 7%. Isodose countours for a 90 degrees arc were also measured in a 15 cm radius PMMA phantom. At the depth of maximum dose the algorithm predicted doses in the penumbral regions, both with and without collimation, which agreed within a few per cent of measured values. The largest discrepancies were 5%, which occurred in the penumbral portion of the depth-dose fall-off region. Differences between measurement and calculation are not believed to be clinically significant and are believed to be primarily due to the fact that the algorithm models neither large-angle scattering nor the effects of range straggling on the pencil-beam dose distribution.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1991

Dose in bone and tissue near bone-tissue interface from electron beam.

This work has quantitatively studied the variation of dose both within bone and in unit density tissue near bone-tissue interfaces. Dose upstream of a bone-tissue interface is increased because of an increase in the backscattered electrons from the bone. The magnitude of this effect was measured using a thin parallel-plate ionization chamber upstream of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-hard bone interface. The electron backscatter factor (EBF) increased rapidly with bone thickness until a full EBF was achieved. This occurred at approximately 3.5 mm at 2 MeV and 6 mm at 13.1 MeV. The full EBF at the interface ranged from approximately 1.018 at 13.1 MeV to 1.05 at 2 MeV. It was also observed that the EBF had a dependence on the energy spectrum at the interface. The penetration of the backscattered electrons in the upstream direction of PMMA was also measured. The dose penetration fell off rapidly in the upstream direction of the interface. Dose enhancement to unit density tissue in bone was measured for an electron beam by placing thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) in a PMMA-bone-PMMA phantom. The maximum dose enhancement in bone was approximately 7% of the maximum dose in water. However, the pencil-beam algorithm of Hogstrom et al. predicted an increase of only 1%, primarily owing to the inverse-square correction. Film was also used to measure the dose enhancement in bone. The film plane was aligned either perpendicular or parallel to the central axis of the beam. The film data indicated that the maximum dose enhancement in bone was approximately 8% for the former film alignment (which was similarly predicted by the TLD measurements) and 13% for the latter film alignment. These results confirm that the X ray film is not suitable to be irritated "edge on" in an inhomogeneous phantom without making perturbation corrections resulting from the film acting as a long narrow inhomogeneous cavity within the bone. In addition, the results give the radiotherapist a basis for clinical judgment when electron beams are used to treat lesions behind bone or near bony structures. We feel these data enhance the ability to recognize the shortcomings of the current dose calculation algorithm used clinically.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of a total scalp electron irradiation technique.

A dosimetric evaluation of a total scalp electron-beam irradiation technique that uses six stationary fields was performed. The initial treatment plan specified a) that there be a 3-mm gap between abutted fields and b) that the field junctions be shifted 1 cm after 50% of the prescribed dose had been delivered. Dosimetric measurements were made at the scalp surface, scalp-skull interface, and the skull-brain interface in an anthropomorphic head phantom using both film and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100). The measurements showed that the initial technique yields areas of increased and decreased dose ranging from -50% to +70% in the region of the field junctions. To reduce regions of nonuniform dose, the treatment protocol was changed by eliminating the gap between the coronal borders of abutted fields and by increasing the field shift from 1 cm to 2 cm for all borders. Subsequent measurements showed that these changes in treatment protocol resulted in a significantly more uniform dose to the scalp and decreased variation of doses near field junctions (-10% to +50%).

Electrons↗
PubMed1991

Dosimetry characteristics of metallic cones for intraoperative radiotherapy.

Dosimetry data were obtained on the first dedicated linear accelerator of its type designed for electron intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) within an operating room. The linear accelerator uses a high dose rate, 9 Gy.min-1, to reduce the treatment time. Its chrome-plated brass treatment cones, designed with straight ends and 22.5 degrees beveled ends, are not mechanically attached to the collimator head, but are aligned using a laser projection system. Dosimetry measurements were made for each combination of energy (6, 9, 12, 15, and 16 MeV), cone size (diameters range from 5 to 12 cm), and cone type (22.5 degrees beveled or straight). From these data, depth-dose curves, cone output, and air-gap correction factors were generated that allow the calculation of the monitor setting for delivering a prescribed dose at any depth for any irradiation condition (energy, cone, air gap). Isodose data were measured for every cone using film in a solid water phantom. Scatter off the inside wall of the cone resulted in peripheral dose horns near the surface that were energy and cone dependent, being as large as 120%.

Electrons↗
PubMed1991

Effect of dimensionality of heterogeneity corrections on the implementation of a three-dimensional electron pencil-beam algorithm.

Electron beam dose distributions were calculated on a three-dimensional grid using three pencil-beam algorithms, each taking into account irregularities in field shape. The algorithms differ in that patient anatomy in either one, two, or three dimensions is used in the calculation of dose to a point. Algorithms were optimized for speed by such techniques as precalculation and storage of several quantities, reordering of pencil-beam and grid-point loops, selection of cut-off values for some calculated quantities, and invoking error function symmetries. Execution times for optimized versions of each of the algorithms as implemented on a three-dimensional treatment planning system were comparable for both the one- and two-dimensional heterogeneity correction requires an additional calculational loop over fan lines. Execution times for the three-dimensional heterogeneity correction were approximately a factor of four longer than those for the two-dimensional correction. For certain geometries, three-dimensional heterogeneity corrections were necessary to calculate dose distributions accurately, in spite of the additional cost in calculation times.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1990

Design of metallic electron beam cones for an intraoperative therapy linear accelerator.

A set of circular collimators and treatment cones from 5 to 12 cm diameter has been designed for an intraoperative accelerator (6-18 MeV) that has an optical docking system. Electron beam scattering theory has been used to minimize their weight while minimizing leakage radiation. Both acrylic and brass were evaluated as possible materials; however, because of substantial electron leakage through the lateral cone wall for acrylic, we have concluded that 2 mm thick brass walls are more desirable than acrylic walls. At 18 MeV, isodose measurements beneath the cones showed hot spots as great as 120% for both materials. The placement and dimension of an internal trimmer ring inside the brass cone was studied as a method for reducing the hot spots, and it was found this could only be accomplished at the expense of decreasing coverage of the 90% isodose surface. The effects of 1 degree cone misalignment on the dose distribution has been studied and found to generate changes of less than 5% in the dose and 3 mm in position of the 90% isodose surface. In a study of the contribution of the cone and its matching collimator assembly to x-ray room leakage, it was noted that although the treatment cone had a negligible contribution, the upper annuli of the upper collimator assembly contributed as much as 80% of the leakage at 16 MeV for the 5-cm cone.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

A two-dimensional pencil-beam algorithm for calculation of arc electron dose distributions.

A two-dimensional pencil-beam algorithm is presented for the calculation of arc electron dose distributions in any plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The dose distributions are calculated by modelling the arced beam as a single broad beam defined by the irradiated surface of the patient. The algorithm is two-dimensional in that the anatomical cross section of the patient and the skin collimators are assumed identical in parallel planes outside the plane of calculation. The broad beam is modelled as a collection of strip beams, each strip beam being characterised by its planar fluence, mean projected angular direction and a root-mean-square spread about the mean direction. Using these parameters, the dose distribution is calculated using pencil-beam theory. Examples of strip-beam parameters and resulting dose distributions for patient geometries are presented. Features of the algorithm, which include (1) incorporation of pencil-beam theory for the calculation of dose in heterogeneous tissue, (2) run times of only about twice that of comparable-sized fixed electron fields and (3) the input requirement of only a single depth dose and four off-axis dose profiles of measured data, make the algorithm practical for clinical use.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1979

Comparative late effects of X-rays and negative pimesons on the mouse kidney.

A system is described for comparing various modalities and fractionation schedules of radiation by means of their long-term morphologic effects upon the mouse kidney. The comparison system utilizes a grading scale for histopathologic changes in which a given histologic grade depends upon meeting defined threshold criteria, rather than quantitation of a particular measurement. Renal tubular alterations served as the basis for comparison, since they appeared more reliably defined than glomerular changes. The radiation dose that induced a specific threshold effect in kidneys from 50% of the animals at 6 months was defined as the effective dose-50%, or ED50.ED50 was found for x-rays and negative pimesons administered in 1, 2, or 5 fractions. From these data, the relative biologic effectiveness (RBE) of negative pi-mesons with respect to x-rays was determined for each fractionation schedule.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computer dosimetry for flattened and wedged fast-neutron beams.

Beam flattening by the use of polyethylene filters has been developed for the 50-MeV d in equilibrium Be fast-neutron therapy beam at the Texas A&M Variable-Energy Cyclotron (TAMVEC) as a result of the need for a more uniform dose distribution at depth within the patient. A computer algorithm has been developed that allows the use of a modified decrement line method to calculate dose distributions; standards decrement line methods do not apply because of off-axis peaking. The dose distributions for measured flattened beams are transformed into distributions that are physically equivalent to an unflattened distribution. In the transformed space, standard decrement line theory yields a distribution for any field size which, by applying the inverse transformation, generates the flattened dose distribution, including the off-axis peaking. A semiempirical model has been constructed that allows the calculation of dose distributions for wedged beams from open-beam data.

Computers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dosimetry of pion therapy beams.

Cellular, animal, and human radiobiology studies are in progress at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility as part of a joint University of New Mexico and Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory pion therapy project. To support these activities, dosimetry has been performed on many different pion beam configurations. The effect of both static and dynamic momentum spreaders and of collimators on beam profiles, depth-dose distributions, and peak-to-plateau ratios have been studied. The absorbed dose is obtained by the application of Bragg-Gray cavity theory to ionization chamber measurements. Calculations have been made for the effective W values and average mass-stopping-power ratios needed for the Bragg-Gray equation. Kerma corrections are applied to transform the dose from the chamber wall to dose in muscle.

Elementary Particles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measurement of the effect of inhomogeneities and compensating bolus in clinical pion beams.

Measurement of the effects of Telfon and air inhomogeneities on the ionization distributions of clinical negative-pion beams have been made at the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility. Inhomogeneity location and pion-beam energy vary the effect of multiple coulomb scattering on the dose distribution lying in the penumbra of the inhomogeneity. CH2 bolus adequately corrects for the effects of these inhomogeneities. Bolus misalignment less than 0.5 cm does not seem critical because of large multiple coulomb scattering of the pion beam. However, this and secondary particles emitted from pion stars prevent the pion beam from being precisely shaped with sharp edges, as demonstrated by measurements under a patient bolus.

Elementary Particles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Measurement of dose distributions using film in therapeutic electron beams.

The feasibility of using film dosimetry data as the input data for patient treatment planning was evaluated. The central-axis depth dose and the off-axis ratios obtained from film measurements in a solid phantom were compared with those of ion-chamber measurements in water. Two techniques were used to generate isodose distributions. The first technique used only the film data, i.e., the central-axis depth dose and the off-axis ratios used for the reconstruction were determined from the film optical density (corrected for film nonlinearity). In the second technique, the central-axis depth dose measured by an ion chamber in a water phantom was combined with the off-axis ratios measured using film in the "solid water" phantom. The resulting isodose distributions from both techniques were compared with the ion-chamber measurements in water for 7-, 12-, and 18-MeV electrons, and the second technique showed better agreement with the ion-chamber measurements than did the first technique. The differences were within a clinically acceptable range.

Electrons↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pencil-beam redefinition algorithm for electron dose distributions.

A pencil-beam redefinition algorithm has been developed for the calculation of electron-beam dose distributions on a three-dimensional grid utilizing 3-D inhomogeneity correction. The concept of redefinition was first used for both fixed and arced electron beams by Hogstrom et al. but was limited to a single redefinition. The success of those works stimulated the development of the pencil-beam redefinition algorithm, the aim of which is to solve the dosimetry problems presented by deep inhomogeneities through development of a model that redefines the pencil beams continuously with depth. This type of algorithm was developed independently by Storchi and Huizenga who termed it the "moments method." Such a pencil beam within the patient is characterized by a complex angular distribution, which is approximated by a Gaussian distribution having the same first three moments as the actual distribution. Three physical quantities required for dose calculation and subsequent radiation transport--namely planar fluence, mean direction, and root-mean-square spread about the mean direction--are obtained from these moments. The primary difference between the moments method and the redefinition algorithm is that the latter subdivides the pencil beams into multiple energy bins. The algorithm then becomes a macroscopic method for transporting the complete phase space of the beam and allows the calculation of physical quantities such as fluence, dose, and energy distribution. Comparison of calculated dose distributions with measured dose distributions for a homogeneous water phantom, and for phantoms with inhomogeneities deep relative to the surface, show agreement superior to that achieved with the pencil-beam algorithm of Hogstrom et al. in the penumbral region and beneath the edges of air and bone inhomogeneities. The accuracy of the redefinition algorithm is within 4% and appears sufficient for clinical use, and the algorithm is structured for further expansion of the physical model if required for site-specific treatment planning problems.

Algorithms↗