Imaging of dose distributions using polymer gels based on radiation induced changes in stiffness

Abstract

Previously, dose determination based on radiation induced stiffness difference measurements has received no or very little attention. Here, a preliminary evaluation of a combined system for dosimetry based on radiation sensitive gels, ultrasonic elastography and a plane strain inverse algorithm is presented. A block of gel was irradiated along one of its axes producing stiff rod-like regions. The dose distribution found with quantitative ultrasound elastography was compared with a reference dose distribution measured with magnetic resonance imaging. In these early results, the high dose areas were clearly detected, while noise in the ultrasound measurement and strong regularisation in the inverse computing introduced shape distortions, noise in the dose estimates and problems estimating the correct dose contrast. Improvements in the experimental setup and inverse computing are possible, for example by acquisition of transversal ultrasound data, which could essentially reduce the noise and restrict direct influence of the experimental boundary condition on the dose estimation by providing additional information for inverse computing. Based on the preliminary results and the potential for improvement it is concluded that further investigations should follow to establish the potential of the rapidly developing field of elastography for measuring radiation dose based on radiation induced changes in stiffness.