Dose measurements near a non-radioactive gold seed using radiographic film

The dose distribution near a non-radioactive gold seed under a 6 MV photon beam was measured using radiographic film, water equivalent bolus and solid water slabs. This type of small seed is typically used as a marker in target positional verification using a portal imager for conformal prostate treatment such as intensity modulated radiation therapy. A stack of three films was placed on top of the seed located on a soft bolus. Solid water slabs were then placed on top of the film. The films were exposed using a small 1x1 cm2 field. Then, using a similar experimental set-up and exposure, another stack of three films was placed under the seed, which was then covered by the soft bolus and solid water slabs. The cross-plane axial beam profiles at different depths, depending on the thickness of the film package, were measured. From the group of beam profiles above and below the seed, the dose distribution along a selected vertical line within the profiles was easily plotted. Compared to the dose with no seed at the isocentre and 5 cm of solid water, there was about a 21% increase in dose at 0.35 mm above the seed. On the other hand, there was about a 22% decrease in dose at the same distance below the seed. The dosimetry of the calibrated film was verified with a MOSFET detector. The change in dose due to the seed by varying the incident beam angles was also measured for this note.