The following information was obtained from the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection via e-mail:
On January 11, 2013 the licensee informed the Department's Southeastern Regional Office of the Medical Event. The event is reportable within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> per 10CFR 35.3045(a)(1)(i). Both the patient and referring physician were notified.
On December 4, 2012 the patient received an iodine-125 prostate seed implant. The patient returned for the 30 day post-treatment follow-up CT scan on January 9, 2013. Upon review of the CT results on January 10, 2013, it was discovered that the prostate received approximately 60% of the intended dose. The D90 was determined to be 56 Gy out of a prescribed dose of 110 Gy.
The potential cause of the event was noted as possible organ shift or incorrect depth placement of needles.
The licensee plans to compensate for the undertreated area with follow-up external beam therapy. They will provide the Department a written report in 15 days. The Southeastern Regional Office plans to follow up with a reactive inspection.
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.