title: Physics of vascular brachytherapy.
abstract: Basic physics plays an important role in understanding the clinical utility of radioisotopes in brachytherapy. Vascular brachytherapy is a very unique application of localized radiation in that dose levels very close to the source are employed to treat tissues within the arterial wall. This article covers basic physics of radioactivity and differentiates between beta and gamma radiations. Physical parameters such as activity, half-life, exposure and absorbed dose have been explained. Finally, the dose distribution around a point source and a linear source is described. The principles of basic physics are likely to play an important role in shaping the emerging technology and its application in vascular brachytherapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, MSB1, Scripps Clinic, 10666 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. sjani@scripps.edu
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jani
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000528:radiation effects; D001610:Beta Particles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001918:Brachytherapy; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*