Dose Distribution of Modified Heyman Packing

Jeno Palvolgyi

A. Petz County Teaching Hospital, Department for Oncoradiology, H-9002 PF.92 Gyor Zrinyi str.13, Hungary

Manuscript received: February 20, 2006; Revised: May 30 and September 12, 2006

Accepted for publication: September 25, 2006

Abstract

Introduction. One of the treatment modalities of brachytherapy of endometrial carcinomas is the modified Heyman packing technique. The aim of the study is to assess the dose distributions of regular arrangements of modified Heyman packings.
Materials and Methods. We reconstructed the catheters with biplane X-ray images and optimised the dose distribution with defining 'dose points' the uterine wall thickness apart from the outermost left and right catheters. We fitted the reconstructed catheters with the diagnostic sagittal MR scan obtained prior to the first insertion. We checked the dose distribution defining 'patients points' on sagittal contour of the uterus.
Results and Conclusions. The treatment plans optimised 'on dose points and geometry' resulted in a satisfactory dose distribution, however systematic overdosed and under-dosed regions have been experienced.

KEYWORDS : modified Heyman packing, endometrial carcinoma.