Simulation and measurements of HDR brachytherapy source dosimetric parameters using a fiber-optic dosimeter

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using CsI(Tl)-based fiber-optic dosimetry system for TG-43 dosimetric characterization of the Flexisource ¹⁹²Ir HDR brachytherapy source. The investigation focuses on anisotropy and radial dose function measurements and assesses the impact of fluorescence and Cherenkov radiation on signal accuracy, with validation through TOPAS Monte Carlo simulations.

Thallium Doped-Cesium Iodide (CsI(Tl)) scintillation crystals were used within a custom-designed PMMA phantom. The experiment, conducted with a Flexitron afterloader and ¹⁹²Ir Flexisource, involved measurements at distances of 1.5–6 cm and polar angles of 20°–155°, with increments matching those in the published studies.

Comprehensive dosimetric data were collected, revealing the influence of fluorescence and Cherenkov radiation on anisotropy function measurements. The radial dose function showed good agreement with simulation, with minor deviations attributed to limitations in the treatment planning. TOPAS Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated consistent agreement with experimental results, yielding a maximum absolute difference of 0.035 in the experimental data and a maximum deviation of 2.6% in anisotropy function validation against published reference data, further confirming the reliability of both the experimental approach and the simulation model.

These findings underscore the importance of accounting for fluorescence and Cherenkov radiation in detector signal response. Unlike earlier approaches that primarily focused on signal removal or hardware suppression techniques, this study demonstrates the integration of these contributions directly into calibration models to improve dosimetric precision. By refining these calibration methods, fiber-optic detectors may be further developed into simple, accurate, and clinically viable tools for brachytherapy applications.