Abstract
Purpose
This paper describes a method to evaluate the influence of 3D printed plesiotherapy
applicators densities in the most clinically relevant dosimetric planes of these brachytherapy
treatments. Studied densities range goes from that of water to that of air including
the intermediate applicators densities made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and
polylactic acid, materials used as Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) filaments.
Methods and materials
All applicators were manufactured by means of FDM 3D printing and a special empty
applicator of ABS walls was designed to be filled with water or air. In each of these
applicators, the values of the dose and gamma index at the surface and at the prescription
depth were measured in clinical conditions, using EBT films.
Results
Analysis of results allow us to conclude that the influence of the applicators density
on the dose value in the studied materials depends on the distance at which the dose
is measured. Thus, at the prescription depth no influence is observed, however this
influence becomes noticeable near the surface of the applicators with dose differences
of more than 10% for densities close to 0.4 g/cm3.
Conclusion
Therefore, the density of FDM manufactured applicators should be taken into account
when calculating surface dose for low density applicators, as variations caused by
density can have clinical implications because is the surface dose that is associated
with the toxicity of brachytherapy skin treatments.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 28, 2022
Accepted:
October 23,
2022
Received in revised form:
September 29,
2022
Received:
March 24,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
Disclosures: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors report no proprietary or commercial interest in any product mentioned or concept discussed in this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
