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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Early clinical experience utilizing scintillator with optical fiber (SOF) detector in clinical boron neutron capture therapy: its issues and solutions

Authors: Masayori Ishikawa, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Akira Matsumura, Junichi Hiratsuka, Shin-Ichi Miyatake, Itsuro Kato, Yoshinori Sakurai, Hiroaki Kumada, Shubhechha J. Shrestha, Koji Ono

Published in: Radiation Oncology | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Real-time measurement of thermal neutrons in the tumor region is essential for proper evaluation of the absorbed dose in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) treatment. The gold wire activation method has been routinely used to measure the neutron flux distribution in BNCT irradiation, but a real-time measurement using gold wire is not possible. To overcome this issue, the scintillator with optical fiber (SOF) detector has been developed. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of the SOF detector as a real-time thermal neutron monitor in clinical BNCT treatment and also to report issues in the use of SOF detectors in clinical practice and their solutions.

Material and methods

Clinical measurements using the SOF detector were carried out in 16 BNCT clinical trial patients from December 2002 until end of 2006 at the Japanese Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute (KURRI).

Results

The SOF detector worked effectively as a real-time thermal neutron monitor. The neutron fluence obtained by the gold wire activation method was found to differ from that obtained by the SOF detector. The neutron fluence obtained by the SOF detector was in better agreement with the expected fluence than with gold wire activation. The estimation error for the SOF detector was small in comparison to the gold wire measurement. In addition, real-time monitoring suggested that the neutron flux distribution and intensity at the region of interest (ROI) may vary due to the reactor condition, patient motion and dislocation of the SOF detector.

Conclusion

Clinical measurements using the SOF detector to measure thermal neutron flux during BNCT confirmed that SOF detectors are effective as a real-time thermal neutron monitor. To minimize the estimation error due to the displacement of the SOF probe during treatment, a loop-type SOF probe was developed.

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Title: Early clinical experience utilizing scintillator with optical fiber (SOF) detector in clinical boron neutron capture therapy: its issues and solutions
Authors: Masayori Ishikawa
Tetsuya Yamamoto
Akira Matsumura
Junichi Hiratsuka
Shin-Ichi Miyatake
Itsuro Kato
Yoshinori Sakurai
Hiroaki Kumada
Shubhechha J. Shrestha
Koji Ono
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Radiation Oncology / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1748-717X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13014-016-0680-0

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Early clinical experience utilizing scintillator with optical fiber (SOF) detector in clinical boron neutron capture therapy: its issues and solutions

Abstract

Background

Material and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Material and methods

Results

Conclusion

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