EPR study of radiation stability of organic plastic scintillator for cardiovascular brachytherapy Sr90–Y90 beta dosimetry

Nowadays, more than one million percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties are being performed annually throughout the world. Restenosis is a significant problem associated with these angioplasty procedures. Radiation treatment with catheter-based β-emitter sources is currently under clinical trial to prevent this problem. Due to fast and worldwide introduction of β-sources for intravascular application, there is a growing interest in the dosimetry aspects. However, accurate dosimetry of β-radiation is more difficult than that of γ-radiation. Suitable detectors are not yet available with accuracy down to a tenth of a millimeter. Conventional measuring systems are not capable of such spatial resolution, except radiochromic film. However, film dosimeters have limited sensitivity and their radiation characteristics are different than those of tissue; therefore dose measurements require corrections. An alternative is to use water-equivalent plastic scintillators. In this work, organic plastic scintillator (BCF-10) dosimetry is studied using the Monte Carlo (MC) technique PENELOPE, and its radiation stability, after irradiation, is experimentally studied through electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Depth dose and dose profile are measured and compared to film dosimetry results. The EPR technique shows that the recovery time is dose independent in this kind of fiber and shows good stability.