Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
An intraoperative real-time sleeved seed technique for permanent prostate brachytherapy
Navesh K Sharma1, Randi J Cohen, Thomas N Eade
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
Purpose:
To describe a novel technique that integrates customized sleeved seed production to reduce seed migration using preloaded needles with real-time intraoperative dosimetric planning for patients treated with iodine-125 (I-125) permanent prostate seed implants.
Methods And Materials:
Customized seed-spacer sequences were calculated for patients in real time based on an intraoperative transrectal ultrasound-guided volume study. Using a Fox Chase Cancer Center modified Best Iodine-125 seed loader (Best Medical, Springfield, VA), the seeds and spacers were inserted into a hollow suture material (sleeve) and then loaded into the implant needles. Needles were placed sequentially under transrectal ultrasound guidance with sagittal plane visualization of the dropped sleeved seeds.
Results:
This technique was successfully implemented allowing intraoperative planning to be combined with real-time sleeved seed production.
Conclusions:
The use of sleeves for seeds combined with real-time intraoperative planning allowed for the intraoperative customization of implants with the practical advantages of linked seeds.
