Dosimetric evaluation of rectum and bladder using image-based CT planning and orthogonal radiographs with ICRU 38 recommendations in intracavitary brachytherapy

The purpose is to compare CT-based dosimetry with International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU 38) bladder and rectum reference points in patients of carcinoma of uterine cervix treated with intracavitary brachytherapy (ICA). Twenty-two consecutive patients were evaluated. Orthogonal radiographs and CT images were acquired and transferred to PLATO planning system. Bladder and rectal reference points were identified according to ICRU 38 recommendations. Dosimetry was carried out based on Manchester system. Patient treatment was done using (192)Iridium high dose rate (HDR) remote after-loading machine based on the conventional radiograph-based dosimetry. ICRU rectal and bladder point doses from the radiograph plans were compared with D(2), dose received by 2 cm(3) of the organ receiving maximum dose from CT plan. V(2), volume of organ receiving dose more than the ICRU reference point, was evaluated. The mean (+/-standard deviation) volume of rectum and bladder was 60 (+/-28) cm(3) and 138 (+/-41) cm(3) respectively. The mean reference volume in radiograph and CT plan was 105 (+/-7) cm(3) and 107 (+/-7) cm(3) respectively. It was found that 6 (+/-4) cm(3) of rectum and 16 (+/-10) cm(3) of bladder received dose more than the prescription dose. V(2) of rectum and bladder was 7 (+/-1.7) cm(3) and 20.8 (+/-6) cm(3) respectively. Mean D(2) of rectum and bladder was found to be 1.11 (+/-0.2) and 1.56 (+/-0.6) times the mean ICRU reference points respectively. This dosimteric study suggests that comparison of orthogonal X-ray-based and CT-based HDR ICA planning is feasible. ICRU rectal point dose correlates well with maximum rectal dose, while ICRU bladder point underestimates the maximum bladder dose.