The following was received from the state of California:
The licensee reported an unintended dose to non-target tissue of a patient from an HDR [High Dose Rate] treatment, apparently due to mispositioning of the uterus-ovary applicator. The unintended dose occurred on the final of four fractions. The target tissue received the intended dose in each of the four fractions, but non-target tissue of the bowel received in excess of 50 rem and 150 percent of the expected dose to the non-target bowel tissue from the four fractions combined, with the excess non-target bowel dose occurring in the final fraction due to the mispositioned applicator.
The licensee will submit a 15-day written report to the California Department of Public Health-Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB) in accordance with 10 CFR 35.3045(d), and will include the calculated dose to the non-target tissue of concern. That report will be forwarded to NRC by CDPH-RHB.
The referring physician was informed of the unintended dose to the non-target bowel tissue.
CA 5010 Number: 022719
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.