Gamma vs beta irradiation: Which is superior?

Background. The debate over which radioisotope, gamma-emitting or beta-emitting, is ideal for vascular brachytherapy, is as old as the field itself. Gamma isotopes such as Ir-192 have been successfully used in large-scale clinical trials. However, radiation protection and safety remains a practical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCardiovascular radiation medicine Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 102 - 106
Main Author Jani, Shirish K
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Inc 1999
Subjects
Beta Particles - therapeutic use
Brachytherapy
Brachytherapy - methods
Dosimetry
Endovascular
Gamma Rays - therapeutic use
Humans
Radiotherapy Dosage
Restenosis
Stents
Vascular Diseases - radiotherapy
Restenosis
Brachytherapy
Dosimetry
Endovascular
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Summary:Background. The debate over which radioisotope, gamma-emitting or beta-emitting, is ideal for vascular brachytherapy, is as old as the field itself. Gamma isotopes such as Ir-192 have been successfully used in large-scale clinical trials. However, radiation protection and safety remains a practical issue when high energy gamma rays are used in interventional suites. Methods. In this report, we have evaluated dosimetric properties of currently available radiation sources, gamma and beta, in terms of their utility in vascular brachytherapy. Published data have been analyzed in comparing the depth doses of these two radiation modalities. Results and Conclusions. Our evaluation shows that significant dosimetric differences do exist between gamma and beta sources. The superiority of one over the other in clinical utility will more likely be determined by the outcome of human trials.
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ISSN:1522-1865
DOI:10.1016/S1522-1865(98)00011-0