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The effect of silver sulfadiazine and zinc oxide creams on dose distribution during radiotherapy.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 January 2015

D. Fackrell ,
D. Kirby ,
P. Sanghera  and
A. Hartley
D. Fackrell*
Affiliation:
Hall-Edwards Radiotherapy Research Group, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
D. Kirby
Affiliation:
Hall-Edwards Radiotherapy Research Group, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
P. Sanghera
Affiliation:
Hall-Edwards Radiotherapy Research Group, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
A. Hartley
Affiliation:
Hall-Edwards Radiotherapy Research Group, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
*
Correspondence to: Dr David Fackrell, The Cancer Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK. Tel: 0 797 025 2673. E-mail: davidfackrell@nhs.net
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Abstract

Introduction

The use of metallic containing creams to prevent and treat radiodermatitis is controversial and lacking evidence base. We compare the dose effect of two metallic-based skin creams, which could be used for treating radiodermatitis, to a control.

Methodology

Universal containers of silver sulfadiazine cream, zinc oxide cream and aqueous cream were examined using a computed tomography scanner to assess their electron densities relative to water. Second, each cream was exposed to 100 kV and 6 MV photons. The relative doses were measured using an X-ray chamber.

Results

The relative electron density measured was similar for the silver sulfadiazine and aqueous creams. Zinc oxide was 40% higher. The relative dose measurements showed that silver sulfadiazine behaved in a similar way to aqueous cream; however, zinc oxide cream exhibited a dose difference of 11·0% in kV photons and −4·1% in MV photons.

Conclusion

Application of silver sulfadiazine appears unlikely to bring about significant changes in the dose distribution when compared with aqueous during MV or kV radiotherapy. While zinc oxide cream brought about more significant dose changes.

Keywords

radiation dermatitisradiotherapysilver sulfadiazineskin carezinc oxide
Type
Original Articles
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , June 2015 , pp. 111 - 116
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2015 

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