title: A double-junction technique for total central nervous system irradiation with a 4-MV accelerator.
abstract: An analysis is presented of a double-junction technique for the treatment of the complete central nervous system using orthogonal brain and spine ports from a 4-MV linear accelerator with a lead flattening filter. Experimental results are compared with calculated results in the junction zone. This study shows that clinically homogeneous doses (+/- 6%) can be delivered to the total central nervous system, provided that the irradiation of the junction zone is terminated about 10% sooner than irradiation of the rest of the brain and cord. The number of reduced fractions to be delivered in this region can be determined from the results of scatter dose calculations.
mesh_terms: D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002528:Cerebellar Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D011187:Posture; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy