Custom bolus of hydrogel: dosimetric characterization, clinical use and placement uncertainties

Abstract

When using electron beams over irregular surfaces it shows remarkable dose heterogeneity in target tissue, the use of a hydrogel bolus by Varihesive® ConvaTec as a custom bolus is proposed to compensate this effect.

Radiological characterization is carried out comparing hydrogel with water by a CT study and by measuring percentage depth dose for electron beams. The dosimetric impact due to the uncertainty of bolus placement is quantitatively evaluated and it is concluded that the use of hydrogel is an acceptable solution as compensation bolus with radiological properties similar to water.