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Fetal radiation doses for model C gamma knife radiosurgery
Cheng Yu1, Gabor Jozsef, Michael L J Apuzzo
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA. chengyu@usc.edu
Neurosurgery
|February 20, 2003
Summary
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS) on a pregnant patient showed very low fetal radiation doses, approximately 0.01% of the tumor dose. Extracranial doses were also minimal, suggesting GKRS is a safe option for carefully selected pregnant patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Assessing radiation dose to the fetus during Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKRS) is crucial for patient safety.
- Extracranial radiation doses in pregnant patients undergoing GKRS require quantification.
Observation:
- Fetal radiation doses were measured in a pregnant patient undergoing GKRS for brain metastases.
- Extracranial radiation doses to various sites (lateral canthi, thyroid, sternum, pelvis) were monitored in 20 patients.
- Phantom measurements were utilized to assess both fetal and extracranial doses.
Findings:
- Fetal radiation doses ranged from 0.15 to 0.31 cGy, representing approximately 0.01% of the maximum tumor dose.
- Mean extracranial doses were 36.9 cGy (lateral canthi), 5.8 cGy (thyroid), 3.3 cGy (sternum), and 0.6 cGy (pelvis).
- Phantom measurements corroborated patient measurements and refined dose estimates.
Implications:
- GKRS, particularly with the Model C, appears to be a safe treatment for carefully selected pregnant patients in the second and third trimesters.
- These findings support the consideration of GKRS for pregnant patients with brain metastases, given the low radiation exposure.
- Further research can refine safety protocols and patient selection criteria for radiosurgery during pregnancy.