Pelvic mass: CT-guided interstitial catheter implantation with high-dose-rate remote afterloader

A technique is presented for computed tomography (CT)-guided interstitial catheter placement and treatment planning for high-dose-rate brachytherapy. In a 66-year-old woman with adenocarcinoma of unknown origin that had metastasized to the right ilium, interstitial brachytherapy catheters were placed by means of CT guidance. With use of a treatment planning system with dose optimization, an excellent dose distribution was obtained with minimal dose being delivered to the surrounding critical tissues. For selected patients, this procedure can provide effective and safe local treatment for solid tumors.