title: Evaluation of the shielding in a treatment room with an electronic brachytherapy unit.
abstract: Esteya® (Elekta Brachytherapy, Veenendaal, The Netherlands) is an electronic brachytherapy (eBT) system based on a 69.5 kVp x-ray source and a set of collimators of 1 to 3 cm in diameter, used for treating non-melanoma skin cancer lesions. This study aims to estimate room shielding requirements for this unit. The non-primary (scattered and leakage) ambient dose equivalent rates were measured with a Berthold LB-133 monitor (Berthold Technologies, Bad Wildbad, Germany). The latter ranges from 17 mSv h-1at 0.25 m distance from the x-ray source to 0.1 mSv h-1at 2.5 m. The necessary room shielding was then estimated following US and some European guidelines. The room shielding for all barriers considered was below 2 mmPb. The dose to a companion who, exceptionally, would stay with the patient during all treatment was estimated to be below 1 mSv if a leaded apron is used. In conclusion, Esteya shielding requirements are minimal.
authors.affiliation: Radioprotection Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Valencia E-46026, Spain.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ibanez-Rosello
authors.forename: Juan Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bautista-Ballesteros
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Candela-Juan
authors.forename: Juan Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Villaescusa
authors.forename: Facundo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ballester
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vijande
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perez-Calatayud
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002138:Calibration; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods; D012542:Scattering, Radiation