Evaluation of brachytherapy implants using the "natural" volume-dose histogram.

The "natural" volume-dose histogram as described by Anderson visualises graphically even small differences between source arrangements, making it a useful tool to compare planned and realised source configurations. In this study the histogram is applied to demonstrate that the introduction of an applicator in oral cavity implants or of iridium wire spacers used as templates in bladder implants improved the quality of the implants considerably, resulting in close agreement between the planned and the realised source configuration.