Background and purpose: In interstitial hyperthermia, temperature measurements are mainly performed inside heating applicators, and therefore, give the maximum temperatures of a rather heterogeneous temperature distribution. The problem of how to estimate lesion temperatures using the multi-electrode current-source interstitial hyperthermia (MECS-IHT) system in the brain was studied. Materials and methods: Temperatures were measured within the electrodes and in an extra catheter at the edge of a 4×4×4.5 cm3 glioblastoma multiforme resection cavity. From the temperature decays during a power-off period, information was obtained about local maximum and minimum tissue temperatures. The significance of these data was examined through model calculations. Results: Maximum tissue temperatures could be estimated roughly by switching off all electrodes for about 5 s. Model calculations showed that the minimum tissue temperatures near a certain afterloading catheter correspond well with the temperature of the applicator inside, about 1 min after this applicator was switched off. Conclusions: Although the electrode temperatures read during heating are not suitable to assess the temperature distribution, it is feasible to heat the brain adequately using the MECS-IHT system with extra sensors outside the electrodes and/or application of decay methods.

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doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8140(01)00310-3, hdl.handle.net/1765/71230
Radiotherapy & Oncology
Department of Radiation Oncology

Kaatee, R., Nowak, P., van der Zee, J., de Bree, J., Kanis, B., Crezee, H., … Visser, A. (2001). Clinical thermometry, using the 27 MHz multi-electrode current-source interstitial hyperthermia system in brain tumours. Radiotherapy & Oncology, 59(2), 227–231. doi:10.1016/S0167-8140(01)00310-3