title: Alopecia associated with unexpected leakage from electron cone.
abstract: Excessive irradiation due to unexpected leakage was found on a patient receiving electron beam therapy. The cause of this leakage was analyzed and the amount of leakage was measured for different electron beam energies. The highest leakage occurred with a 6 x 6 cm cone using a 12 MeV electron beam. The leakage dose measured along the side of the cone could be as great as 40%. Until the cones are modified or redesigned, it is advised that all patient setups be carefully reviewed to assure that no significant patient areas are in the side scatter region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Pennington
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jani
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000209:etiology*; D004583:Electrons; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation