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Interinstitutional experience in verification of external photon dose calculations.

Authors :
Masterson ME
Barest G
Chui CS
Doppke KP
Epperson RD
Harms WB
Krippner KE
Mohan R
Slessinger ED
Sontag MR
Source :
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics [Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys] 1991 May 15; Vol. 21 (1), pp. 37-58.
Publication Year :
1991

Abstract

Under the auspices of NCI contracts, four institutions have collaborated to assess the accuracy of the pixel-based dose calculation methods they employ for external photon treatment planning. The approach relied on comparing calculations using each group's algorithm with measurements in phantoms of increasing complexity. The first set of measurements consisted of ionization chamber measurements in water phantoms in normally incident square fields, an elongated field, a wedged field, a blocked field, and an obliquely incident beam. The second group of measurements was carried out using thermoluminescent dosimeters in phantoms designed to investigate the effects of surface curvature, high density heterogeneities, and low density heterogeneities. The final study tested the entire treatment planning system, including CT data conversion, in an anthropomorphic phantom. Overall, good agreement between calculation and measurements was found for all algorithms. Regions in which discrepancies were observed are pointed out, areas for algorithm improvement are identified and the clinical import of algorithm accuracy is discussed.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0360-3016
Volume :
21
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
2032896
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(91)90166-2