Date of Award

2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Medical Biophysics

Supervisor

Dr. Aaron Fenster

Second Advisor

Dr. Muriel Brackstone

Third Advisor

Dr. Eugene Wong

Abstract

Breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy is a standard procedure used to treat breast cancer; however, these often require re-excision surgeries. To potentially reduce the rate of second surgeries, we have designed and clinically integrated a portable three dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) “tilt” scanner to image tumour margins intra-operatively. The 3DUS scanner measured the volumes of simulated agar “tumours” within 3% of their known volumes. It was then tested on patients; it effectively imaged tumours and was easily integrated into the operating room. We have also developed a linear mechanical 3DUS scanner that can be used instead of computed tomography (CT) for the treatment planning of high dose rate (HDR) interstitial breast brachytherapy. We compared 3DUS and CT images of agar phantoms with brachytherapy catheters inserted in them. The average measured angular separation between catheter trajectories was 2.4°, and the average maximum and mean trajectory separations were 1.0mm and 0.7mm, respectively.

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