Use of ultrasound imaging in the localisation and verification of brachytherapy treatments

The authors’ institution utilises ultrasound technology in a number of radiotherapy treatments. Ultrasound enables visualisation of organs and applicator positioning in brachytherapy treatments, ensuring safe and accurate treatment without the associated risk of concomitant radiation exposure. Barbara Segedin et al concluded: “Ultrasound guidance of applicator insertion is useful and feasible, allowing the completion of the planned treatment even in challenging cases.”

A prime example of the use of ultrasound equipment is the treatment of prostate cancer using high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy and as van Dyk et al observed: “Although use of ultrasound is the standard of care in brachytherapy for prostate cancer, it only seems to have limited uptake in gynaecologic brachytherapy.” That is now changing, with the use of ultrasound in several areas of brachytherapy improving service to the patient and, ultimately, the outcome.

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