Comparison of peak skin dose and dose map obtained with real-time software and radiochromic films in patients undergoing abdominopelvic embolization

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare peak skin dose (PSD) and dose map calculated by Dose-Tracking-System® (DTS) software and measured with radiochromic films in patients undergoing abdominopelvic embolization.

Material and methods: The PSD measured by radiochromic films (PSD_Film) or calculated by DTS software (PSD_DTS) were compared in patients who underwent abdominopelvic embolization between September 2020 and April 2021. Concordance between PSD_Film and PSD_DTS was computed using the Lin's concordance correlation coefficient and the clinical concordance using Bland Altman analysis. PSD values were compared using the paired Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test.

Results: A total of 40 patients were included. There were 32 men and 8 women with a mean age of 73.0 ± 14.6 (SD) years (age range: 30-92 years). Median PSD_Film was 756 mGy (IQR: 390; 1094) and median PSD_DTS was 768 mGy (IQR: 421; 1076), resulting in a median difference of -5% (IQR: -10%; 0%) between PSD_Film and PSD_DTS (P = 0.024). The concordance correlation between PSD_Film and PSD_DTS was substantial in patients (0.986; 95% CI: 0.977-0.992). Bland Altman analysis showed that PSD_DTS was underestimated compared to PSD_Film by -36 mGy (95% CI: -68--4). Visually similar dose maps were found with DTS and radiochromic films.

Conclusion: Real-time DTS software allows computing PSD with high accuracy and generating adequate dose map. PSD_DTS was slightly underestimated compared to PSD_Film requiring the use of a correction factor for the PSD_DTS to avoid lack of follow-up for some patients.

Keywords: Embolization; Film dosimetry; Fluoroscopy; Interventional radiology; Radiochromic films.