Emma Shierlaw B MRS, Melanie Penfold B MRS, Rosanna Crain B MRS, Alexandre M.C. Santos PhD, Scott N. Penfold PhD
{"title":"Dosimetric comparison of gantry and horizontal fixed-beam proton therapy treatment plans for base of skull chordoma","authors":"Emma Shierlaw B MRS, Melanie Penfold B MRS, Rosanna Crain B MRS, Alexandre M.C. Santos PhD, Scott N. Penfold PhD","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.742","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.742","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Australia's first proton beam therapy (PBT) centre will house a fixed-beam room and two gantry rooms. As the only PBT facility in Australia for at least the short term, there is a need to efficiently allocate treatment appointments between the gantry and fixed-beam rooms. This planning study assesses the dosimetric differences between fixed-beam and gantry-based treatment plans for base of skull chordoma, one of the core indications likely to be referred for PBT in Australia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Retrospective gantry-based and fixed-beam treatment plans were generated for five patients with base of skull chordoma. Fixed-beam plans were generated with a conventional horizontal patient positioning system. Robust intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) optimisation and evaluation techniques were used for both delivery systems. Plans were designed to maximise target coverage while adhering to maximum dose constraints to neighbouring critical organs at risk.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Robust target coverage and integral dose were found to be approximately equivalent for the gantry-based and fixed-beam plans. Doses to specific organs at risk could be reduced with the gantry-based geometry; however, the gantry-based plans did not exhibit a general decrease in doses to organs at risk.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A fixed-beam treatment plan was found to be non-inferior to a gantry-based treatment plan for all base of skull patients included in the current study.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"71 S2","pages":"19-26"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.742","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138460412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quality audits of nuclear medicine practices in a middle-income African setting","authors":"Magdalena Lutaka BTech, Aladdin Speelman D. Rad, Subhadranalene Naidoo PhD, Roswita Hamunyela PhD","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.743","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.743","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) introduced a Quality Management Audits in Nuclear Medicine (QUANUM) programme, to improve nuclear medicine practice standards aligned with international standards through self-assessments. The absence of quality management audits in nuclear medicine departments could potentially result in a compromise in the safety and quality of patient care. To date, there is no evidence that quality audits have been conducted in nuclear medicine departments of this middle-income country. This quality audit, therefore, assessed conformance to the IAEA QUANUM programme in four nuclear medicine departments.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study adopted a quantitative methodological exploratory approach. The IAEA QUANUM programme was used to audit nuclear medicine services' overall activity such as clinical practice, management, radiopharmacy, general and radiation safety, quality assurance, operations and services. The data was collected via document analysis in four nuclear medicine department identified as Sites A–D.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall results showed that Site A conformed with 247 out of 370 (67%) counts and non-conformed with 123 out of 370 (33%) counts whilst Site B conformed with 205 out of 342 (60%) counts and non-conformed with 137 out of 342 counts (40%). Site C conformed with 259 out of 345 (75%) counts and non-conformed with 86 out of 345 (25%) counts. Site D conformed with 166 out of 349 (48%) counts and non-conformed with 183 out of 349 (52%) counts. The study yielded 125 overall recommendations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>All the sites demonstrated good compliance to international standards in radionuclide therapy. Site A complied poorly in strategies and policies, whilst Site B complied poorly in quality control of equipment. Site C showed poor compliance to human resource development and Site D showed aspects pertaining to administration and management as well as evaluation of quality systems.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"71 2","pages":"186-193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.743","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138444968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
James Anthony Rabba PhD, Hanis Arina Jaafar Dipl, Fatanah Mohamad Suhaimi PhD, Mohd Zubir Mat Jafri PhD, Noor Diyana Osman PhD
{"title":"A simplified low-cost phantom for image quality assessment of dental cone beam computed tomography unit","authors":"James Anthony Rabba PhD, Hanis Arina Jaafar Dipl, Fatanah Mohamad Suhaimi PhD, Mohd Zubir Mat Jafri PhD, Noor Diyana Osman PhD","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.738","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.738","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A standardised testing protocol for evaluation of a wide range of dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) performance and image quality (IQ) parameters is still limited and commercially available testing tool is unaffordable by some centres. This study aims to assess the performance of a low-cost fabricated phantom for image quality assessment (IQA) of digital CBCT unit.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A customised polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cylindrical phantom was developed for performance evaluation of Planmeca ProMax 3D Mid digital dental CBCT unit. The fabricated phantom consists of four different layers for testing specific IQ parameters such as CT number accuracy and uniformity, noise and CT number linearity. The phantom was scanned using common scanning protocols in clinical routine (90.0 kV, 8.0 mA and 13.6 s). In region-of-interest (ROI) analysis, the mean CT numbers (in Hounsfield unit, HU) and noise for water and air were determined and compared with the reference values (0 HU for water and −1000 HU for air). For linearity test, the correlation between the measured HU of different inserts with their density was studied.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The average CT number were −994.1 HU and −2.4 HU, for air and water, respectively and the differences were within the recommended acceptable limit. The linearity test showed a strong positive correlation (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.9693) between the measured HU and their densities.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The fabricated IQ phantom serves as a simple and affordable testing tool for digital dental CBCT imaging.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"71 1","pages":"78-84"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.738","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"107591528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Diagnostic radiographers' perceptions of professional identity in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa","authors":"Keleabetswe Mtombeni MTech (Radiography), Lynne Hazell DTech (Radiography), Louisa Mokoena MTech (Radiography)","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.737","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.737","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The study explored and described the professional identity of diagnostic radiographers in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The methodology employed for the study was qualitative, exploratory and descriptive design. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with thirteen diagnostic radiographers from private, public practices and individually owned practices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the responses underwent thematic analysis and used Braun and Clarke's six steps for analysing qualitative data.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The thematic analysis revealed three themes and six categories. The three themes identified were: perceptions of identity, environment influences and organisational institutions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study provided an insight into the current perspectives of the professional identity of diagnostic radiographers in Johannesburg, South Africa, which reflected a positive professional identity. The three themes identified could inform guidelines for education in diagnostic radiographers' professional identity in the future.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"71 1","pages":"142-149"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.737","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72209656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Heidi Thomas MPhil, B.Tech, Gerhardus George Visser Koch MHSc, PGDip, PC
{"title":"Clinical preparedness programme as perceived by first-year diagnostic radiography students in South Africa","authors":"Heidi Thomas MPhil, B.Tech, Gerhardus George Visser Koch MHSc, PGDip, PC","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.740","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.740","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There is an increasing emphasis on exploring ways to improve students' transition from the classroom into the clinical environment. Diagnostic radiography (DR) students undergo rigorous theoretical and practical training before they are exposed to the clinical environment. It has been found that when DR students commence clinical learning in the workplace for the very first time, they experience difficulties in this transition. At the site of investigation, a newly integrated and dedicated clinical preparedness (CP) programme was offered; however, little is known about the DR students' perceptions of this programme.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A qualitative approach coupled with a self-developed, cross-sectional research tool was employed. First-year DR students were purposefully sampled against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The principle of voluntary participation was upheld throughout the data collection process. The data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's six steps of thematic analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Forty-two responses were collected. Following a thematic analysis, two overarching themes were developed, namely: (1) reflections on the CP programme and (2) suggestions for future CP programmes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study demonstrated the need for effective CP programmes as an approach to ease the transition of first-year DR students from the classroom into the clinical environment. Several suggestions, for example, an extended CP programme and a clinical information pack were made for the offering of similar programmes in the future.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"71 1","pages":"63-71"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.740","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71521794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jeremy Kilgour BRadMedImag(Hons), Glenda McLean MAppSci (Med US), Eldho Paul PhD, MSc, BSc, Richard Knight BRadMedImag(Hons)
{"title":"Identifying delays in the outpatient interventional radiology department: a quality improvement study","authors":"Jeremy Kilgour BRadMedImag(Hons), Glenda McLean MAppSci (Med US), Eldho Paul PhD, MSc, BSc, Richard Knight BRadMedImag(Hons)","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.739","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.739","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In the post-COVID 19 environment, it has become increasingly important for healthcare services to optimise service delivery for the benefit of both patients and staff. The project purpose was to quantify and determine causes of throughput delays in a newly established outpatient angiography service in a public hospital setting.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This single-centre study obtained quantitative and qualitative data for 81 consecutive outpatient interventional radiology (IR) examinations over a 3-month period via survey and retrospective analysis of electronic medical records. Staff participating in data collection were able to record multiple causes for delay in a single case and were also able to include comments, allowing for more detailed descriptions of the delays that occurred.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 93 delay factors were identified in 73 of the 81 outpatient interventional examinations and grouped into six categories via thematic analysis. Availability of the IR room (40%), availability of the radiologist (28%) and insufficient documentation (18%) were identified as the most frequent causes for delay. Linear regression analysis showed that documentation (<i>P</i> = 0.0002) and room unavailability (<i>P</i> = 0.022) were independently associated with procedural starting delay.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Delays to the IR procedural start time occurred in 90% of cases (73/81). This study identified the causes for delays in outpatient interventional procedures. This information can be used to improve service delivery in IR departments.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"71 1","pages":"72-77"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.739","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71521795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Erin Forbes B Psych (Hons), Kerrie Clover PhD, MPsych (Clin), Sharon Oultram RT(T), MSc(Ed), MPhil(Research), Chris Wratten BMedSci, MBBS, FRANZCR, Mahesh Kumar MD, DNB, FRANZCR, Minh Thi Tieu MBBS, Bsc(Med), FRANZCR, Gregory Carter MBBS, FRANZCP, Cert Child Psych, PhD, Kristen McCarter PhD Clin Psych, B Psych (Hons), Ben Britton BPhD, DClin Health Psych, BScEconSocSc, Amanda L. Baker PhD, MPsych (Clin)
{"title":"Situational anxiety in head and neck cancer: Rates, patterns and clinical management interventions in a regional cancer setting","authors":"Erin Forbes B Psych (Hons), Kerrie Clover PhD, MPsych (Clin), Sharon Oultram RT(T), MSc(Ed), MPhil(Research), Chris Wratten BMedSci, MBBS, FRANZCR, Mahesh Kumar MD, DNB, FRANZCR, Minh Thi Tieu MBBS, Bsc(Med), FRANZCR, Gregory Carter MBBS, FRANZCP, Cert Child Psych, PhD, Kristen McCarter PhD Clin Psych, B Psych (Hons), Ben Britton BPhD, DClin Health Psych, BScEconSocSc, Amanda L. Baker PhD, MPsych (Clin)","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.736","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.736","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Research indicates that the immobilisation mask required for radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancers can provoke intense anxiety. However, little is known about the rates of this anxiety, whether it changes over a course of treatment and how it is managed in clinical practice. This study aimed to describe the rates and patterns of situational anxiety in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer and the use of anxiety management interventions in current clinical practice in a major regional cancer setting in New South Wales, Australia.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Situational anxiety rates and patterns were assessed at five time points using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to treatment planning (SIM), the first three treatment sessions (Tx 1, Tx 2 and Tx 3) and treatment 20 (Tx 20). Sessions were observed to record the use of general supportive interventions (music and support person) and anxiety-specific interventions (break from the mask, relaxation techniques and anxiolytic medication). Sociodemographic and clinical information was extracted from the medical record.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One hundred and one patients were recruited. One-third had clinically significant anxiety at any of the first three time points (33.3–40%), and a quarter at Tx 3 (26.4%) and Tx 20 (23.4%). Of the sample, 55.4% had available data for categorisation into one of four pattern groups: ‘No Anxiety’ (46.4%); ‘Decreasing Anxiety’ (35.7%); ‘Increasing Anxiety’ (7.1%); and ‘Stable High Anxiety’ (10.7%). Most participants had social support present at SIM (53.5%) and listened to music during treatment (86.7–92.9%). Few participants received relaxation techniques alone (1.2–2.3%). Anxiolytic medication was provided for 10% of patients at some stage during the treatment journey and 5% required a break from the mask at SIM, with frequency decreasing throughout the treatment course.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In this regional cancer setting, situational anxiety was common, but generally decreased throughout treatment. Some patients experience persistent or increasing anxiety, with up to 10% of patients receiving specific anxiety management interventions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"71 1","pages":"100-109"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.736","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"54229549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Moira O'Connor PhD, MSc, BA (Hons), Georgia K. B. Halkett PhD, BMedRad(Hons), FASMIRT, GAICD
{"title":"Supporting paediatric patients to receive radiation therapy without sedation or general anaesthetic","authors":"Moira O'Connor PhD, MSc, BA (Hons), Georgia K. B. Halkett PhD, BMedRad(Hons), FASMIRT, GAICD","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.734","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.734","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Many paediatric patients experience anxiety and distress when undergoing radiation therapy and, as a result, are often anaesthetised or sedated (A/S) so that they remain still. The practice of using A/S has implications for the child, the family and the health system. Building on the article by McCoola et al. (DOI 10.1002/jmrs.705), this editorial discusses approaches to improving paediatric patients' and their families' experiences of radiation therapy by reducing the need for A/S. Interventions need to be underpinned by theory and adopt robust research methods.\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure></p>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"70 4","pages":"357-359"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.734","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50161867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How efficient are metal-polymer and dual-metals-polymer non-lead radiation shields?","authors":"Zaker Salehi PhD, Mansour Tayebi Khorami PhD","doi":"10.1002/jmrs.733","DOIUrl":"10.1002/jmrs.733","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Lead shields are often used to attenuate ionising radiations. However, to make lighter, recyclable and more efficient shields compared to lead, combinations of new metallic compounds together with polymer, for example, flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been developed recently. In this study, the capabilities of non-lead radiation shields made of one or two metallic compounds and polymer were evaluated.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Monte Carlo (MC)-based BEAMnrc code was used to build a functional model based on a Philips X-ray machine in the range of radiographic energies. The MC model was then verified by IPEM Report 78 as a standardised global reference. The MC model was then used to evaluate the efficiency of non-lead-based garments made of metallic compound and polymer (MCP) including BaSO<sub>4</sub>-PVC, Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-PVC, Sn-PVC and W-PVC, as well as dual-metallic compounds and polymer (DMCP) including Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-BaSO<sub>4</sub>-PVC, Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-Sn-PVC, W-Sn-PVC and W-BaSO<sub>4</sub>-PVC. The absorbed doses were determined at the surface of a water phantom and compared directly with the doses obtained for 0.5 mm pure lead (Pb).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-BaSO<sub>4</sub>-PVC and W-BaSO<sub>4</sub>-PVC were found to be efficient shields for most of the energies. In addition to the above radiation shields, Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-Sn-PVC was also found to be effective for the spectrum of 60 keV. Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-BaSO<sub>4</sub>-PVC as a non-lead dual metals-PVC shield was shown to be more efficient than pure lead in diagnostic X-ray range.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Combination of two metals-PVC, a low atomic number (Z) metal together with a high atomic number metal, and also single-metal-PVC shields were shown to be efficient enough to apply as radiation protection shields instead of lead-based garments.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16382,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences","volume":"71 1","pages":"57-62"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmrs.733","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50158130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}