Endovascular brachytherapy: physics and technology.
Brachytherapy is the placement of radiation sources (usually radioactive materials) in or near a target tissue. This paper introduces the physics and technology needed to perform endovascular brachytherapy. Three main delivery systems under investigation are low activity radioactive stents; high activity solid-sources; and high activity gas or liquid filled balloons. A wide range of radionuclides is under consideration for each of these systems. There are fundamental differences in both the local and long-range distribution of radiation around beta or gamma emitting sources. Devices in the microCi range are permanently implanted. Devices in the mCi range are inserted for a few minutes. Both beta and gamma sources can be extremely dangerous if they are mishandled.
Balter
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Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York 10021, USA.
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012449:Safety; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome