title: Effectiveness of customised neutron shielding in the maze of radiotherapy accelerators.
abstract: An investigation was performed to examine the neutron dose equivalent in a radiotherapy maze lined with a customised neutron shielding material. The accelerator investigated was a Varian Clinac 2100C/D using 18 MV photons, and the neutron shielding utilised at this centre was Premadex commercially available neutron shielding. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, properly installed customised neutron shielding may reduce the neutron dose equivalent by up to a factor of 8 outside the maze, depending upon the installation. In addition, it was determined that the neutron dose near the entrance to the maze may be reduced by approximately 40% by using customised neutron shielding in the maze, as compared with a facility not using this shielding. This would have a positive dose-saving effect in doorless maze designs.
authors.affiliation: SAIC Canada, 60 Queen Street, Suite 1516 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5Y7. edward.j.waller@saic.com
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Jamieson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cousins
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Jammal
mesh_terms: D001822:Body Burden; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009502:Neutrons; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity