ABSTRACT
The pursuit of in vivo dosimetry (IVD) in brachytherapy has been the subject of investigation by prominent research groups around world. The characteristic features of high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatments are in many cases also the drivers of the need for a solution: HDRs, few fractions, highly conformal dose distributions, with steep dose gradients often in close proximity to organs at risk (OARs). The primary motivation for real-time IVD is treatment verification—clinical practitioners desire to know that the planned treatment is being delivered as intended. This goal encompasses two objectives: error detection and prevention, and monitoring differences or changes between planning and treatment. Error detection guards against errors in the delivery of planned treatment caused by either operator/procedural mistakes, or possible equipment malfunction. Returning to PubMed search for IVD in radiation therapy, diodes, thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD), electronic portal imaging device (EPID), and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) are the commonly found dosimeters when searching for "in vivo dosimetry".
