RADIATION RISKS TO PERSONNEL AND PUBLIC DURING THE TREATMENT OF MALIGNANT GLIOMA USING INTERSTITIAL BRACHYTHERAPY

I-125 seeds are used in brachytherapy for the treatment of malignant gliomas. The use of such radioactive sources is associated with a certain radiological hazard to both personnel and members of the public. This hazard should be quantified so that the ALARA principle of radiological protection may be implemented satisfactorily. A study was undertaken to derive isodose rate contours in the vicinity of an anthropomorphic phantom with I-125 seeds positioned at typical tumour sites within the cranial cavity. These contours are illustrated for seed positions appropriate to deep and superficial temporal tumours. Results indicate that the annual doses to personnel and public should not exceed those recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.