Characterization of electron contamination in megavoltage photon beams

Characterization of GafChromic EBT2 film dose measurements using a tissue-equivalent water phantom for a Theratron® Equinox Cobalt-60 teletherapy machine

PURPOSE

In vivo dosimetry is a quality assurance tool that provides post-treatment measurement of the absorbed dose as delivered to the patient. This dosimetry compares the prescribed and measured dose delivered to the target volume. In this study, a tissue-equivalent water phantom provided the simulation of the human environment. The skin and entrance doses were measured using GafChromic EBT2 film for a Theratron® Equinox Cobalt-60 teletherapy machine.

METHODS

We examined the behaviors of unencapsulated films and custom-made film encapsulation. Films were cut to 1 cm × 1 cm, calibrated, and used to assess skin dose depositions and entrance dose. We examined the response of the film for variations in field size, source to skin distance (SSD), gantry angle and wedge angle.

RESULTS

The estimated uncertainty in EBT2 film for absorbed dose measurement in phantom was ±1.72%. Comparison of the measurements of the two film configurations for the various irradiation parameters were field size (p = 0.0193, α = 0.05, n = 11), gantry angle (p = 0.0018, α = 0.05, n = 24), SSD (p = 0.1802, α = 0.05, n = 11) and wedge angle (p = 0.6834, α = 0.05, n = 4). For a prescribed dose of 200 cGy and at reference conditions (open field 10 cm x 10 cm, SSD = 100 cm, and gantry angle = 0º), the measured skin dose using the encapsulation material was 70% while that measured with the unencapsulated film was 24%. At reference irradiation conditions, the measured skin dose using the unencapsulated film was higher for open field configurations (24%) than wedged field configurations (19%). Estimation of the entrance dose using the unencapsulated film was within 3% of the prescribed dose.

CONCLUSIONS

GafChromic EBT2 film measurements were significantly affected at larger field sizes and gantry angles. Furthermore, we determined a high accuracy in entrance dose estimations using the film.

Spatial Mesh-Based Surface Source Model for the Electron Contamination of an 18 MV Photon Beams

Background

Source modeling is an approach to reduce computational burden in Monte Carlo simulations but at the cost of reduced accuracy. Although this method can be effective, one component of the source model that is exceptionally difficult to model is the electron contamination, a significant contributor to the skin and shallow dose.

Aims and Objectives

To improve the accuracy for the electron contamination component of the overall source model, we have generated a spatial mesh based surface source model.

Methods and Materials

The source model is located downstream from the flattening filter and mirror but upstream from the movable jaws. A typical phase space file uses around ten parameters per particle, but this method simplifies this number to five components. By using only the electron distance from the central axis, angles from the central axis and energy, the computational time and disk space required is greatly reduced.

Results and Conclusion

Despite the simplification in the source model, the electron contamination is still accurate to within 1.5%.

Effect of an integral quality monitor on 4-, 6-, 10-MV, and 6-MV flattening filter-free photon beams

Purpose

To investigate the effect of an integral quality monitor (IQM; iRT Systems GmbH, Koblenz, Germany) on 4, 6, 10, and 6‐MV flattening filter‐free (FFF) photon beams.

Methods

We assessed surface dose, PDD_20,10, TPR_20,10, PDD curves, inline and crossline profiles, transmission factor, and output factor with and without the IQM. PDD, transmission factor, and output factor were measured for square fields of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 cm and profiles were performed for square fields of 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 cm at 5‐, 10‐, and 30‐cm depth.

Results

The differences in surface dose of all energies for square fields of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 cm were within 3.7% whereas for a square field of 30 cm, they were 4.6%, 6.8%, 6.7%, and 8.7% for 4‐MV, 6‐MV, 6‐MV‐FFF, and 10‐MV, respectively. Differences in PDD_20,10, TPR_20,10, PDD, profiles, and output factors were within ±1%. Local and global gamma values (2%/2 mm) were below 1 for PDD beyond d_max and inline/crossline profiles in the central beam region, respectively. The gamma passing rates (10% threshold) for PDD curves and profiles were above 95% at 2%/2 mm. The transmission factors for 4‐MV, 6‐MV, 6‐MV‐FFF, and 10‐MV for field sizes from 3 × 3 to 30 × 30 cm² were 0.926–0.933, 0.937–0.941, 0.937–0.939, and 0.949–0.953, respectively.

Conclusions

The influence of the IQM on the beam quality (in particular 4‐MV X‐ray has not verified before) was tested and introduced a slight beam perturbation at the surface and build‐up region and the edge of the crossline/inline profiles. To use IQM in pre‐ and intra‐treatment quality assurance, a tray factor should be put into treatment planning systems for the dose calculation for the 4‐, 6‐, 10‐, and 6‐MV flattening filter‐free photon beams to compensate the beam attenuation of the IQM detector.

Measurement of percentage dose at the surface for a 6 MV photon beam

AIM

To evaluate if a radiochromic film (RF) Gafchromic EBT3 is suitable for surface dose measurements of radiotherapy treatments performed with a 6 MV linear accelerator. Two aspects of RF were analyzed, beam energy dependence and surface dose determination.

BACKGROUND

The measurements done at the surface or near the radiation source are done without charged electronic equilibrium and also have contribution of electron contamination. The detectors used for these measurements should not alter the dose to the target. To counteract these dosimetric problems it is proposed to do the measurements with radiochromic films which are thin detectors and have tissue equivalent properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The measurements were done using a Novalis linear accelerator (LINAC) with nominal energy of 6 MV. To determine the surface dose, the total scatter factors (TSF) of three different field sizes were measured in a water phantom at 5 cm depth. Energy dependence of EBT3 was studied at three different depths, using a solid water phantom. The surface measurements were done with the RF for the same field sizes of the TSF measurements. The value of the percentage depth dose was calculated normalizing the doses measured in the RF with the LINAC output, at 5 cm depth, and the TSF.

RESULTS

The radiochromic films showed almost energy independence, the differences between the curves are 1.7% and 1.8% for the 1.5 cm and 10 cm depth, respectively. The percentage depth doses values at the surface measured for the 10 cm × 10 cm, 5 cm × 5 cm and 1 cm × 1 cm were 26.1 ± 1.3%, 21.3 ± 2.4% and 20.2 ± 2.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The RF-EBT3 seems to be a detector suitable for measurements of the dose at the surface. This suggests that RF-EBT3 films might be good candidates as detectors for in vivo dosimetry.

Monte Carlo simulations of out-of-field skin dose due to spiralling contaminant electrons in a perpendicular magnetic field

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential skin dose toxicity contribution of spiralling contaminant electrons (SCE) generated in the air in an MR‐linac with a 0.35 or 1.5 T magnetic field using the EGSnrc Monte Carlo (MC) code. Comparisons to experimental results at 1.5 T are also performed.

Methods

An Elekta generated phase space file for the Unity MR‐linac is used in conjunction with the EGSnrc enhanced electric and magnetic field transport macros to simulate surface dose profiles and depth‐dose curves in panels located 5 cm away from the beam edge and positioned either parallel or perpendicular to the magnetic field. Electrons generated in the air will spiral along the magnetic field lines, and though surface doses within the field will be reduced, the electrons can contribute to out‐of‐field surface doses.

Results

Surface dose profiles showed good agreement with experimental findings and the maximum simulated doses at surfaces perpendicular to the magnetic field were 3.77 ± 0.01% and 3.55 ± 0.01% for 1.5 and 0.35 T. These results are expressed as a percentage of the maximum dose to water delivered by the photon beam. The surface dose variations in the out‐of‐field region converge to the 0 T doses within the first 0.5 cm of material. An asymmetry in the dose distribution in surfaces positioned on either side of the photon beam and aligned parallel to the magnetic field is determined to be due to the magnetic field directing electrons deeper into, or localizing them to the surface of, the measurement panel.

Conclusions

These results confirm the SCE dose contribution in surfaces perpendicular to the magnetic field and show these doses to be of the order of a few percentage of the maximum dose to water of the beam. Good agreement in the dose profiles is seen in comparisons between the MC simulations and experimental work. The effect is apparent in 0.35 and 1.5 T magnetic fields and dissipates within the first few millimeters of material. It should be noted that only SCEs from beam anteriorly incident on the patient will influence the patient surface dose, and the use of beams incident over different angles will reduce the dose to any particular patient surface.

A photon source model based on particle transport in a parameterized accelerator structure for Monte Carlo dose calculations

PURPOSE

An accurate source model of a medical linear accelerator is essential for Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculations. This study aims to propose an analytical photon source model based on particle transport in parameterized accelerator structures, focusing on a more realistic determination of linac photon spectra compared to existing approaches.

METHODS

We designed the primary and secondary photon sources based on the photons attenuated and scattered by a parameterized flattening filter. The primary photons were derived by attenuating bremsstrahlung photons based on the path length in the filter. Conversely, the secondary photons were derived from the decrement of the primary photons in the attenuation process. This design facilitates these sources to share the free parameters of the filter shape and be related to each other through the photon interaction in the filter. We introduced two other parameters of the primary photon source to describe the particle fluence in penumbral regions. All the parameters are optimized based on calculated dose curves in water using the pencil-beam-based algorithm. To verify the modeling accuracy, we compared the proposed model with the phase space data (PSD) of the Varian TrueBeam 6 and 15 MV accelerators in terms of the beam characteristics and the dose distributions. The EGS5 Monte Carlo code was used to calculate the dose distributions associated with the optimized model and reference PSD in a homogeneous water phantom and a heterogeneous lung phantom. We calculated the percentage of points passing 1D and 2D gamma analysis with 1%/1 mm criteria for the dose curves and lateral dose distributions, respectively.

RESULTS

The optimized model accurately reproduced the spectral curves of the reference PSD both on- and off-axis. The depth dose and lateral dose profiles of the optimized model also showed good agreement with those of the reference PSD. The passing rates of the 1D gamma analysis with 1%/1 mm criteria between the model and PSD were 100% for 4 × 4, 10 × 10, and 20 × 20 cm² fields at multiple depths. For the 2D dose distributions calculated in the heterogeneous lung phantom, the 2D gamma pass rate was 100% for 6 and 15 MV beams. The model optimization time was less than 4 min.

CONCLUSION

The proposed source model optimization process accurately produces photon fluence spectra from a linac using valid physical properties, without detailed knowledge of the geometry of the linac head, and with minimal optimization time.

Measurement of skin surface dose distributions in radiation therapy using poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel dosimeters

In external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), skin dose measurement is important to evaluate dose coverage of superficial target volumes. Treatment planning systems (TPSs) are often inaccurate in this region of the patient, so in vivo measurements are necessary for skin surface dose estimation. In this work, superficial dose distributions were measured using radiochromic translucent poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogels. The cryogels simultaneously served as bolus material, providing the necessary buildup to achieve the desired superficial dose. The relationship between dose to the skin surface and dose measured with the bolus was established using a series of oblique irradiations with gantry angles ranging from 0° to 90°. EBT-2 Gafchromic film was placed under the bolus, and the ratio of bolus-film dose was determined ranging from 0.749 ± 0.005 to 0.930 ± 0.002 for 0° and 90° gantry angles, respectively. The average ratio over 0-67.5° (0.800 ± 0.064) was used as the single correction factor to convert dose in bolus to dose to the skin surface. The correction factor was applied to bolus measurements of skin dose from head and neck intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments delivered to a RANDO phantom. The resulting dose distributions were compared to film measurements using gamma analysis with a 3%/3 mm tolerance and a 10% threshold. The minimum gamma pass rate was 95.2% suggesting that the radiochromic bolus may provide an accurate estimation of skin surface dose using a simple correction factor. This study demonstrates the suitability of radiochromic cryogels for superficial dose measurements in megavoltage photon beams.

Surface dose variations in 6 and 10 MV flattened and flattening filter-free (FFF) photon beams

As the use of linear accelerators operating in flattening filter-free (FFF) modes becomes more widespread, it is important to have an understanding of the surface doses delivered to patients with these beams. Flattening filter removal alters the beam quality and relative contributions of low-energy X-rays and contamination electrons in the beam. Having dosimetric data to describe the surface dose and buildup regions under a range of conditions for FFF beams is important if clinical decisions are to be made. An Elekta Synergy linac with standard MLCi head has been commissioned to run at 6 MV and 10 MV running with the flattening filter in or out. In this linac the 6 MV FFF beam has been energy-matched to the clinical beam on the central axis (D10). The 10 MV beam energy has not been adjusted. The flattening filter in both cases is replaced by a thin (2 mm) stainless steel plate. A thin window parallel plate chamber has been used to measure a comprehensive set of surface dose data in these beams for variations in field size and SSD, and for the presence of attenuators (wedge, shadow tray, and treatment couch). Surface doses are generally higher in FFF beams for small field sizes and lower for large field sizes with a crossover at 10 × 10 cm2 at 6 MV and 25 × 25 cm2 at 10 MV. This trend is also seen in the presence of the wedge, shadow tray, and treatment couch. Only small differences (< 0.5%) are seen between the beams on varying SSD. At both 6 and 10 MV the filter-free beams show far less variation with field size than conventional beams. By removing the flattening filter, a source of contamination electrons is exchanged for a source of low-energy photons (as these are no longer attenuated). In practice these two components almost balance out. No significant effects on surface dose are expected by the introduction of FFF delivery.

Using a 2D detector array for meaningful and efficient linear accelerator beam property validations

Following linear accelerator commissioning, the qualified medical physicist is responsible for monitoring the machine's ongoing performance, detecting and investigating any changes in beam properties, and assessing the impact of unscheduled repairs. In support of these responsibilities, the authors developed a method of using a 2D ionization chamber array to efficiently test and validate important linear accelerator photon beam properties. A team of three physicists identified critical properties of the accelerator and developed constancy tests that were sensitive to each of the properties. The result was a 14‐field test plan. The test plan includes large and small fields at varying depths, a reduced SSD field at shallow depth for sensitivity to extra focal photon and electron components, and analysis of flatness, symmetry, dose, dose profiles, and dose ratios. Constancy tests were repeated five times over a period of six weeks and used to set upper and lower investigation levels at ±3 SDs. Deliberate variations in output, penumbra, and energy were tested to determine the suitability of the proposed method. Measurements were also performed on a similar, but distinct, machine to assess test sensitivity. The results demonstrated upper and lower investigation levels significantly smaller than the comparable TG‐142 annual recommendations, with the exception of the surrogate used for output calibration, which still fell within the TG‐142 monthly recommendation. Subtle changes in output, beam energy, and penumbra were swiftly identified for further investigation. The test set identified the distinct nature of the second accelerator. The beam properties of two photon energies can be validated in approximately 1.5 hrs using this method. The test suite can be used to evaluate the impact of minor repairs, detect changes in machine performance over time, and supplement other machine quality assurance testing.

PACS numbers: 87.56bd, 87.56Fc

Characterization of MOSkin detector for in vivo skin dose measurement during megavoltage radiotherapy

In vivo dosimetry is important during radiotherapy to ensure the accuracy of the dose delivered to the treatment volume. A dosimeter should be characterized based on its application before it is used for in vivo dosimetry. In this study, we characterize a new MOSFET‐based detector, the MOSkin detector, on surface for in vivo skin dosimetry. The advantages of the MOSkin detector are its water equivalent depth of measurement of 0.07 mm, small physical size with submicron dosimetric volume, and the ability to provide real‐time readout. A MOSkin detector was calibrated and the reproducibility, linearity, and response over a large dose range to different threshold voltages were determined. Surface dose on solid water phantom was measured using MOSkin detector and compared with Markus ionization chamber and GAFCHROMIC EBT2 film measurements. Dependence in the response of the MOSkin detector on the surface of solid water phantom was also tested for different (i) source to surface distances (SSDs); (ii) field sizes; (iii) surface dose; (iv) radiation incident angles; and (v) wedges. The MOSkin detector showed excellent reproducibility and linearity for dose range of 50 cGy to 300 cGy. The MOSkin detector showed reliable response to different SSDs, field sizes, surface, radiation incident angles, and wedges. The MOSkin detector is suitable for in vivo skin dosimetry.

PACS number: 87.55.Qr

A Monte Carlo study on electron and neutron contamination caused by the presence of hip prosthesis in photon mode of a 15 MV Siemens PRIMUS linac

Several investigators have pointed out that electron and neutron contamination from high‐energy photon beams are clinically important. The aim of this study is to assess electron and neutron contamination production by various prostheses in a high‐energy photon beam of a medical linac. A 15 MV Siemens PRIMUS linac was simulated by MCNPX Monte Carlo (MC) code and the results of percentage depth dose (PDD) and dose profile values were compared with the measured data. Electron and neutron contaminations were calculated on the beam's central axis for Co‐Cr‐Mo, stainless steel, Ti‐alloy, and Ti hip prostheses through MC simulations. Dose increase factor (DIF) was calculated as the ratio of electron (neutron) dose at a point for 10×10 cm2 field size in presence of prosthesis to that at the same point in absence of prosthesis. DIF was estimated at different depths in a water phantom. Our MC‐calculated PDD and dose profile data are in good agreement with the corresponding measured values. Maximum dose increase factor for electron contamination for Co‐Cr‐Mo, stainless steel, Ti‐alloy, and Ti prostheses were equal to 1.18, 1.16, 1.16, and 1.14, respectively. The corresponding values for neutron contamination were respectively equal to: 184.55, 137.33, 40.66, and 43.17. Titanium‐based prostheses are recommended for the orthopedic practice of hip junction replacement. When treatment planning for a patient with hip prosthesis is performed for a high‐energy photon beam, attempt should be made to ensure that the prosthesis is not exposed to primary photons.

PACS numbers: 87.56.bd, 87.55.kh, 87.55.Gh

Comparing dose in the build-up region between compensator- and MLC-based IMRT

The build-up dose in the megavoltage photon beams can be a limiting factor in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments. Excessive surface dose can cause patient discomfort and treatment interruptions, while underdosing may lead to tumor repopulation and local failure. Dose in the build-up region was investigated for IMRT delivery with solid brass compensator technique(compensator-based IMRT) and compared with that of multileaf collimator (MLC)-based IMRT. A Varian Trilogy linear accelerator equipped with an MLC was used for beam delivery. A special solid brass step-wise compensator was designed and built for testing purposes. Two step-and-shoot MLC fields were programmed to produce a similar modulated step-wise dose profile. The MLC and compensator dose profiles were measured and adjusted to match at the isocenter depth of 10 cm. Build-up dose in the 1-5 mm depth range was measured with an ultrathin window, fixed volume parallel plate ionization chamber. Monte Carlo simulations were used to model the brass compensator and step-and-shoot MLC fields. The measured and simulated profiles for the two IMRT techniques were matched at the isocenter depth of 10 cm. Different component contributions to the shallow dose, including the MLC scatter, were quantified. Mean spectral energies for the open and filtered beams were calculated. The compensator and MLC profiles at 10 cm depth were matched better than ± 1.5%. The build-up dose was up to 7% lower for compensator IMRT compared to MLC IMRT due to beam hardening in the brass. Low-energy electrons contribute 22% and 15% dose at 1 mm depth for compensator and MLC modalities, respectively. Compensator-based IMRT delivers less dose in the build-up region than MLC-based IMRT does, even though a compensator is closer to the skin than the MLC.

Electron contamination modeling and skin dose in 6 MV longitudinal field MRIgRT: Impact of the MRI and MRI fringe field

PURPOSE

In recent times, longitudinal field MRI-linac systems have been proposed for 6 MV MRI-guided radiotherapy (MRIgRT). The magnetic field is parallel with the beam axis and so will alter the transport properties of any electron contamination particles. The purpose of this work is to provide a first investigation into the potential effects of the MR and fringe magnetic fields on the electron contamination as it is transported toward a phantom, in turn, providing an estimate of the expected patient skin dose changes in such a modality.

METHODS

Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations of a water phantom exposed to a 6 MV x-ray beam were performed. Longitudinal magnetic fields of strengths between 0 and 3 T were applied to a 30 × 30 × 20 cm(3) phantom. Surrounding the phantom there is a region where the magnetic field is at full MRI strength, consistent with clinical MRI systems. Beyond this the fringe magnetic field entering the collimation system is also modeled. The MRI-coil thickness, fringe field properties, and isocentric distance are varied and investigated. Beam field sizes of 5 × 5, 10 × 10, 15 × 15 and 20 × 20 cm(2) were simulated. Central axis dose, 2D virtual entry skin dose films, and 70 μm skin depth doses were calculated using high resolution scoring voxels.

RESULTS

In the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field, electron contamination from the linear accelerator is encouraged to travel almost directly toward the patient surface with minimal lateral spread. This results in a concentration of electron contamination within the x-ray beam outline. This concentration is particularly encouraged if the fringe field encompasses the collimation system. Skin dose increases of up to 1000% were observed for certain configurations and increases above Dmax were common. In nonmagnetically shielded cases, electron contamination generated from the jaw faces and air column is trapped and propagated almost directly to the phantom entry region, giving rise to intense dose hot spots inside the x-ray treatment field. These range up to 1000% or more of Dmax at the CAX, depending on field size, isocenter, and coil thickness. In the case of a fully magnetically shielded collimation system and the lowest MRI field of 0.25 T, the entry skin dose is expected to increase to at least 40%, 50%, 65%, and 80% of Dmax for 5 × 5, 10 × 10, 15 × 15, and 20 × 20 cm(2), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Electron contamination from the linac head and air column may cause considerable skin dose increases or hot spots at the beam central axis on the entry side of a phantom or patient in longitudinal field 6 MV MRIgRT. This depends heavily on the properties of the magnetic fringe field entering the linac beam collimation system. The skin dose increase is also related to the MRI-coil thickness, the fringe field, and the isocenter distance of the linac. The results of this work indicate that the properties of the MRI fringe field, electron contamination production, and transport must be considered carefully during the design stage of a longitudinal MRI-linac system.

The development and experimental evaluation of a simple analytical model for the TPR in the build-up region of megavoltage photon beams

PURPOSE

The purpose of this work was to develop a simple analytical model for the tissue phantom ratio (TPR) in the build-up region of megavoltage photon beams and to experimentally evaluate the model under a variety of clinically relevant field configurations.

METHODS

Considering electron contamination and primary photons as the main components of the absorbed dose in the build-up region, an analytic expression for the TPR was derived. The electron contamination component was addressed with a biexponential function; the primary photon component was treated as nonlocal energy transport, i.e., assuming the energy deposited by secondary electrons can be described by a biexponential mode similar to that of contaminating electrons. The model contains five independent constants, which were fitted experimentally. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by comparing its results with in-phantom measurements taken on square, rectangular, irregular, and wedged fields, for 6 and 15 MV photon beams on a GE-Saturne 41 accelerator. More specifically, the accuracy of the model was quantified using the gamma index with 2% dose and 2 mm spatial tolerances as described by Low et al. [Med. Phys. 25, 656-661 (1998)].

RESULTS

For square cerrobende blocked fields, the maximum recorded gamma indices were 0.42 and 0.54 for 6 and 15 MV beams, respectively. For "I" shaped fields, the corresponding maxima were 0.64 and 0.52, respectively, while for "cross" shaped fields they were 0.42 and 0.76. For rectangular 10 × 30 cm fields, the corresponding maxima were 0.32 and 0.42, and for 7 × 20 cm fields, they were 0.70 and 0.35, respectively. For square 10 × 10 cm and 15 × 15 cm fields with an acrylic tray, the maxima were 0.57 and 0.45 for 6 MV and 0.32 and 0.77 for 15 MV beams, respectively. For a 10 × 10 cm 60° wedged field, the maxima were 0.53 and 0.33 for 6 and 15 MV beams, respectively. In all examined cases of irregular, rectangular, square (with and without tray), and wedged fields, the gamma index was less than unity. Thus, the model correctly predicted TPR in all cases, using the defined criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

A simple analytical model for the TPR in the build-up region was developed and evaluated experimentally. The model's predicted TPR values were compared with physical measurements for irregular, square (with and without tray), rectangular, and wedged fields, for 6 and 15 MV photon beams. In every case examined, the results of the model agreed with the experimental measurements based on specific quantitative agreement criteria. The model appears useful for predicting the TPR in the build-up region of megavoltage beams for different types of fields, in different configurations.

A Monte Carlo investigation of contaminant electrons due to a novel in vivo transmission detector

A novel transmission detector (IBA Dosimetry, Germany) developed as an IMRT quality assurance tool, intended for in vivo patient dose measurements, is studied here. The goal of this investigation is to use Monte Carlo techniques to characterize treatment beam parameters in the presence of the detector and to compare to those of a plastic block tray (a frequently used clinical device). Particular attention is paid to the impact of the detector on electron contamination model parameters of two commercial dose calculation algorithms. The linac head together with the COMPASS transmission detector (TRD) was modeled using BEAMnrc code. To understand the effect of the TRD on treatment beams, the contaminant electron fluence, energy spectra, and angular distributions at different SSDs were analyzed for open and non-open (i.e. TRD and block tray) fields. Contaminant electrons in the BEAMnrc simulations were separated according to where they were created. Calculation of surface dose and the evaluation of contributions from contaminant electrons were performed using the DOSXYZnrc user code. The effect of the TRD on contaminant electrons model parameters in Eclipse AAA and Pinnacle(3) dose calculation algorithms was investigated. Comparisons of the fluence of contaminant electrons produced in the non-open fields versus open field show that electrons created in the non-open fields increase at shorter SSD, but most of the electrons at shorter SSD are of low energy with large angular spread. These electrons are out-scattered or absorbed in air and contribute less to surface dose at larger SSD. Calculated surface doses with the block tray are higher than those with the TRD. Contribution of contaminant electrons to dose in the buildup region increases with increasing field size. The additional contribution of electrons to surface dose increases with field size for TRD and block tray. The introduction of the TRD results in a 12% and 15% increase in the Gaussian widths used in the contaminant electron source model of the Eclipse AAA dose algorithm. The off-axis coefficient in the Pinnacle(3) dose calculation algorithm decreases in the presence of TRD compared to without the device. The electron model parameters were modified to reflect the increase in electron contamination with the TRD, a necessary step for accurate beam modeling when using the device.

Dose discrepancies in the buildup region and their impact on dose calculations for IMRT fields

PURPOSE

Dose accuracy in the buildup region for radiotherapy treatment planning suffers from challenges in both measurement and calculation. This study investigates the dosimetry in the buildup region at normal and oblique incidences for open and IMRT fields and assesses the quality of the treatment planning calculations.

METHODS

This study was divided into three parts. First, percent depth doses and profiles (for 5 x 5, 10 x 10, 20 x 20, and 30 x 30 cm2 field sizes at 0 degrees, 45 degrees, and 70 degrees incidences) were measured in the buildup region in Solid Water using an Attix parallel plate chamber and Kodak XV film, respectively. Second, the parameters in the empirical contamination (EC) term of the convolution/ superposition (CVSP) calculation algorithm were fitted based on open field measurements. Finally, seven segmental head-and-neck IMRT fields were measured on a flat phantom geometry and compared to calculations using gamma and dose-gradient compensation (C) indices to evaluate the impact of residual discrepancies and to assess the adequacy of the contamination term for IMRT fields.

RESULTS

Local deviations between measurements and calculations for open fields were within 1% and 4% in the buildup region for normal and oblique incidences, respectively. The C index with 5%/1 mm criteria for IMRT fields ranged from 89% to 99% and from 96% to 98% at 2 mm and 10 cm depths, respectively. The quality of agreement in the buildup region for open and IMRT fields is comparable to that in nonbuildup regions.

CONCLUSIONS

The added EC term in CVSP was determined to be adequate for both open and IMRT fields. Due to the dependence of calculation accuracy on (1) EC modeling, (2) internal convolution and density grid sizes, (3) implementation details in the algorithm, and (4) the accuracy of measurements used for treatment planning system commissioning, the authors recommend an evaluation of the accuracy of near-surface dose calculations as a part of treatment planning commissioning.

From the limits of the classical model of sensitometric curves to a realistic model based on the percolation theory for GafChromic EBT films

PURPOSE

Modern radiotherapy uses complex treatments that necessitate more complex quality assurance procedures. As a continuous medium, GafChromic EBT films offer suitable features for such verification. However, its sensitometric curve is not fully understood in terms of classical theoretical models. In fact, measured optical densities and those predicted by the classical models differ significantly. This difference increases systematically with wider dose ranges. Thus, achieving the accuracy required for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) by classical methods is not possible, plecluding their use. As a result, experimental parametrizations, such as polynomial fits, are replacing phenomenological expressions in modern investigations. This article focuses on identifying new theoretical ways to describe sensitometric curves and on evaluating the quality of fit for experimental data based on four proposed models.

METHODS

A whole mathematical formalism starting with a geometrical version of the classical theory is used to develop new expressions for the sensitometric curves. General results from the percolation theory are also used. A flat-bed-scanner-based method was chosen for the film analysis. Different tests were performed, such as consistency of the numeric results for the proposed model and double examination using data from independent researchers.

RESULTS

Results show that the percolation-theory-based model provides the best theoretical explanation for the sensitometric behavior of GafChromic films. The different sizes of active centers or monomer crystals of the film are the basis of this model, allowing acquisition of information about the internal structure of the films. Values for the mean size of the active centers were obtained in accordance with technical specifications. In this model, the dynamics of the interaction between the active centers of GafChromic film and radiation is also characterized by means of its interaction cross-section value.

CONCLUSIONS

The percolation model fulfills the accuracy requirements for quality-control procedures when large ranges of doses are used and offers a physical explanation for the film response.

A virtual source model of electron contamination of a therapeutic photon beam

The most efficient way of generating particles for Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation is through a virtual source model (VSM) of the linear accelerator head. We have previously developed a VSM based on three sources: a primary photon source, a secondary photon source and an electron contamination source (Sikora et al 2007). In this work, we present an improvement of the electron contamination source. The VSM of contamination electrons (eVSM) is derived from a full MC simulation of the accelerator head with the BEAMnrc MC system. It comprises a Gaussian source located at the base of the flattening filter. The eVSM models two effects: an energy-dependent source diameter and an angular dependence of the particle fluence. The air scatter of the contamination electrons is approximated by energetic properties of the eVSM so that explicit in-air transport is not required during MC simulation of the dose distributions in the patient. The calculations of electron dose distributions were compared between the eVSM and the full MC simulation. Good agreement was achieved for various rectangular field sizes as well as for complex conformal segment shapes for the contamination electrons of 6 and 15 MV beams. The 3D dose evaluation of the surface dose in a CT-based patient geometry shows high accuracy (2%/2 mm) of the eVSM for both energies. The model has one tunable parameter, the mean energy of the spectrum at the patient surface. High accuracy and efficiency of particle generation make the eVSM a valuable virtual source of contamination electrons for MC treatment planning systems.

High resolution entry and exit Monte Carlo dose calculations from a linear accelerator 6 MV beam under the influence of transverse magnetic fields

A current concern with 6 MV transverse field MRI-linac hybrid systems is the predicted increases in skin dose (both the entry and exit sides) caused by the effects of the magnetic field on secondary electrons. In this work high resolution GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations have been performed at the beam central axis in the entry and exit regions of a water phantom to predict surface (0 microm depth) and skin (70 microm depth) doses when placed in such a hybrid system. A 30 x 30 x 20 cm3 water phantom with 10 microm thick voxels has been simulated by being irradiated perpendicularly with a 6 MV photon beam (Varian 2100C) of sizes of 5 x 5, 10 x 10, 15 x 15, and 20 x 20 cm2. Uniform transverse magnetic fields of 0.2, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 T with varying thickness above the phantom have been investigated. Simulations with and without lepton contamination have been performed. In the entry region the high resolution scoring has yielded unexpected surface and skin doses. There is a small amount of nonpurged air-generated lepton contamination that originates immediately above the phantom surface and delivers its dose over very short longitudinal distances in the entry region. At 0.2 T the surface and skin doses are not accurately predicted using lepton-contamination-free simulations and extrapolated lower resolution scoring. Lepton-free simulations are up to 7% of Dmax lower than simulations with leptons. However, compared to 0 T, entry skin dose is reduced at 0.2 and 0.75 T but increases to 28%-31% of Dmax at 3 T. For skin doses at the central axis in the exit region, high resolution scoring shows relative increases of 38%-106%, depending on the magnetic field strength and field size. These values are also up to 20% higher than lower resolution results. The shape of the exit dose profiles varies unpredictably and so extrapolation of low resolution data is insufficient. In order to achieve accurate Monte Carlo skin dosimetry in a transverse field MRI-linac system, the authors recommend using high resolution scoring. In systems of 0.2 T the inclusion of air-generated lepton contamination is also recommended.

High density dental materials and radiotherapy planning: comparison of the dose predictions using superposition algorithm and fluence map Monte Carlo method with radiochromic film measurements

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

During radiotherapy planning high density dental materials create a major challenge in determining correct dose distribution inside patients with head-and-neck tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this work we investigated the absorbed dose distribution inside a solid water slab phantom with embedded high density material irradiated by a 6MV photon beam of field size 10x10cm. We evaluated the absorbed dose distribution with three different techniques: superposition algorithm, radiochromic film, and the fluence map Monte Carlo (FMMC) method.

RESULTS

The results obtained with radiochromic film and FMMC were in good agreement (within +/-5% of the dose) with one another. The superposition algorithm, which is often considered superior to other commercially available dose calculation algorithms, produced appreciably less accurate results than FMMC. In particular, downstream from the high density cerrobend inhomogeneity the superposition algorithm predicts a higher dose than the measurement does by at least 10-16% depending upon the size of the inhomogeneity and the distance from it. Upstream of the high density inhomogeneities the superposition algorithm predicts a lower than measured dose due to its failure to predict the dose enhancement close to the inhomogeneity interface.

CONCLUSIONS

The delivered dose downstream from a high density inhomogeneity would be significantly less than the prescribed dose calculated by the superposition algorithm. The FMMC method which is based on a hybrid of the superposition algorithm input fluence data and Monte Carlo can be a useful tool in predicting dose in the presence of high density (e.g. dental) materials.