An independent review of
HDR (High Dose Rate) treatment records occurred on July 28, 2005. During this review, a Medical Event was discovered which meets reporting requirements of
10 CFR 35.3045.
On July 21, 2003, an 87 year old male received what was to be the first of two High Dose Rate (HDR) treatments for esophageal cancer using a remote afterloading unit. The physician Authorized User prescribed a dose of 500 cGy (centiGray) at 0.5 cm from the surface of the NG (naso-gastric) tube for an active length of 5.5 cm using a 5.551 Curie iridium-192 source. The treatment plan called for 12 indexer step positions at 5.0 mm spacing. The medical physicist entered 12 indexer step positions with 2.5 mm spacing and treatment was delivered. On August 14, 2003, the second fraction occurred without incident.
A simulated plan was calculated on July 29, 2005, to reproduce the initial treatment plan and actual treatment delivered. The simulations suggest the patient may have received as much as 74% over dosage to a portion of his esophagus and as much as 92% under dosage to a portion of his esophagus.
The patient returned to the facility on July 14, 2005, for treatment and is currently under our care.