Deflections in computed dose distribution of I-125 seed implant due to angularly averaged approximation

Dose rate distribution of commercially available I-125 seeds is strongly anisotropic due to self absorption. Effects of this anisotropy to dose distribution of linear, planar and volume implants are studied. Results suggest that this anisotropy should be taken into account especially when one is considering dose distribution near the seeds. Angularly averaged distribution of single seed is found to cause serious deflections to isodoses of the implant in high dose region. To use true anisotropic dose rate distribution one must be able to evaluate angular orientation of seeds in the implant. A method is presented to compute this orientation also when seeds are poorly visible in radiographs.