title: Benchmarking brachydose: Voxel based EGSnrc Monte Carlo calculations of TG-43 dosimetry parameters.
abstract: In this study, BrachyDose, a recently developed EGSnrc Monte Carlo code for rapid brachytherapy dose calculations, has been benchmarked by reproducing previously published dosimetry parameters for three brachytherapy seeds with varied internal structure and encapsulation. Calculations are performed for two 125I seeds (Source Tech Medical Model STM1251 and Imagyn isoSTAR model 12501) and one l03Pd source (Theragenics Model 200). Voxel size effects were investigated with dose distribution calculations for three voxel sizes: 0.1 x 0.1 x 0.1 mm(3), 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm(3), and 1 X 1 X 1 mm(3). In order to minimize the impact of voxel size effects, tabulated dosimetry data for this study consist of a combination of the three calculations: 0.1 X 0.1 x 0.1 mm(3) voxels for distances in the range of 0<r< or = l cm, 0.5 x0.5 0.5 mm(3) voxels for 1 <r< or =5 cm and 1 x 1 X 1 mm(3) voxels for 5<r< or = 10 cm. Dosimetry parameters from this study are compared with values calculated by other authors using Williamson's PTRAN code and to measured values. Overall, calculations made with Brachydose show good agreement with calculations made with PTRAN although there are some exceptions.
authors: Ottawa Carleton Institute of Physics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada KIS 5B6. rtaylor@physics.carleton.ca
authors: R E P
authors: RE
authors: Taylor
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Yegin
authors: D W O
authors: DW
authors: Rogers
mesh_terms: D019985:Benchmarking; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software; D012986:Software Validation