Use of radiochromic dosimetry film for HDR brachytherapy quality assurance

An important quality assurance (QA) procedure in high dose rate (HDR) remote afterloading brachytherapy is the verification of the system's control of the source by a direct test with dosimetry medium prior to the patient's first treatment. In this test radiochromic film is placed in direct contact with the applicator and the patient's proposed treatment is then run with their EPROM card. Examination of the film allows a quick appraisal of step size, number of steps, and offset. Advantages of this film include self-development so the image may be viewed immediately, insensitivity to normal room light, and archivability. The cost is about U.S. $2 per clinical case.