Page 27 - Brachytherapy

Pre-loading
Pre-loading

system
system There are several advantages and disadvantages such as:

Advantages:

Loose & flexible system (can be inserted even in

The applicator is preloaded and contains radioactive sources at the distorted cervix)

time of placement into the patient. It is developed by Dr Cyril Excellent clinical result

Jayachandran developed a remote-controlled trolley to transfer the Cheap

source to the “radium theater”. Pre-loading system is rarely used due Long term results with least morbidity (due to LDR)

to high radiation exposure to operation room (OR), recovery room,

and transportation personnel when compared against after-loading. Disadvantages:

Permanent implant treatments are typically hot-loaded. Eg. Hasty application

prefabricated eye plaque applicators containing 125I or 103Pd seeds -Improper geometry in dose distribution

for treatment of ocular melanoma. It is now an obsolete technique Loose system

and was replaced by manual and remote after-loading systems. After- -High chance of slipping of applicators (improper

loading system minimizes radiation exposure to hospital personnel,

in addition providing an oppoturnity for the treatment planner to geometry)

optimize the source strength and loading distribution based on a Application needed special instruments to maintain

retrospective review of the applicator positioning relative to the distance.

target tissue. Radiation hazard 23

Optimization not possible