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Objective:To propose a markerless beam's eye view (BEV) tumor tracking algorithm, which can be applied to megavolt (MV) images with poor image quality, multi-leaf collimator (MLC) occlusion and non-rigid deformation.Methods:Window template matching, image structure transformation and demons non-rigid registration method were used to solve the registration problem in MV images. The quality assurance (QA) plan was generated in the phantom and executed after manually setting the treatment offset on the accelerator, and 682 electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images in the treatment process were collected as fixed images. Meanwhile, the digitally reconstructured radiograph (DRR) images corresponding to the field angle in the planning system were collected as floating images to verify the accuracy of the algorithm. In addition, a total of 533 images were collected from 21 cases of lung tumor treatment data for tumor tracking study, providing quantitative results of tumor location changes during treatment. Image similarity was used for third-party verification of tracking results.Results:The algorithm could cope with different degrees (10%-80%) of image missing. In the phantom verification, 86.8% of the tracking errors were less than 3 mm, and 80% were less than 2 mm. Normalized mutual information (NMI) varied from 1.182±0.026 to 1.202±0.027 ( P<0.005) before and after registration and the change of Hausdorff distance (HD) was from 57.767±6.474 to 56.664±6.733 ( P<0.005). The case results were predominantly translational (-6.0 mm to 6.2 mm), but non-rigid deformation still existed. NMI varied from 1.216±0.031 to 1.225±0.031 ( P<0.005) before and after registration and the change of HD was from 46.384±7.698 to 45.691±8.089 ( P<0.005). Conclusions:The proposed algorithm can cope with different degrees of image missing and performs well in non-rigid registration with data missing images which can be applied in different radiotherapy technologies. It provides a reference idea for processing MV images with multi-modality, partial data and poor image quality.
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Objective:To analyze the differences in dosimetric quality and plan complexity of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans based on Halcyon 2.0 and Truebeam for different treatment sites of the patients.Methods:Halcyon 2.0 VMAT plans in head & neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis treatment sites of 49 cases were retrospectively selected and the VMAT plans were re-designed based on Truebeam with the same optimization parameters. The differences in dosimetric metrics and plan complexity between the two types of plans were compared and analyzed. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results:In terms of PTV, Halcyon 2.0 plans showed better homogeneity index (HI), conformal index (CI) in the head & neck and chest. Besides, Halcyon 2.0 plans yielded better D 98% and CI in the abdomen and better D 2% in the pelvis. For organs at risk (OAR), the D 20% and D mean of bilateral lungs, and D meanof heart for Halcyon 2.0 plans in the chest were lower than those for Truebeam plans (all P<0.05). For the complexity metrics, the median average aperture area variability (AAV) of Halcyon 2.0 plans in the head & neck, abdomen and pelvis were 0.414, 0.425 and 0.432, which were better than 0.385, 0.368 and 0.361 of Truebeam plans in the corresponding sites, respectively. In the abdomen and pelvis, Halcyon 2.0 plans showed better median modulation complexity score (MCS) than Truebeam plans (0.320 vs. 0.268, 0.303 vs. 0.282; both P<0.05). The median small aperture score (SAS) for all plans of Halcyon 2.0 were better than that of Truebeam plans (all P<0.05), and the median plan average beam area (PA) of all plans of Halcyon 2.0 were larger than that of Truebeam plans (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with conventional fractionated VMAT plans based on Halcyon 2.0 and Truebeam, Halcyon 2.0 plans have similar or even better dosimetric quality. However, Halcyon 2.0 plans have lower plan complexity, which makes it an advantage in clinical application.
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Objective:To provide a new morning check method for the output dose stability of the multileaf collimator (MLC) of the CyberKnife M6 (CK-M6) system.Methods:The CT images of a verification phantom with a size of 20 cm × 20 cm × 10 cm were transmitted into the Precision Treatment Plan ning System (ver. 1.1.1.1). The high-precision alignment between the accelerator output front and the fixed position of the phantom surface was achieved using the fiducial tracking method. A 10 cm × 10 cm radiation field was formed by the MLC and a DailyCheck plan with an output of 200 MU was designed. The repeatability, sensitivity, and accuracy of the DailyCheck plan were measured, and the CK-M6 system was continuously tested for one month using the artificial fixed method and the DailyCheck plan designed in this study. Results:The average and the standard deviation of 10 repeated measurements by the DailyCheck plan were 492.28 pC and 0.09, respectively, indicating good stability. There was a linear correlation between the measured values and the output dose, with a correlation coefficient of R2 > 0.999. Moreover, there was a position deviation of 2 mm between the phantom and the accelerator output front, and the result ant effect on the measured values was equivalent to a dose deviation caused by an output of 1.24 MU. The result from the continuous measurement of both the artificial fixed method and the DailyCheck plan fell within permissible limits, showing high consistency. Conclusions:The DailyCheck plan established through the fiducial tracking of a verification phantom can achieve the convenient, quick, and accurate daily detection of the output dose stability of the MLC of CK-M6. Therefore, this method can be widely applied in the clinical quality control of the CK-M6 system.
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Objective To reduce the risk of radiation-induced cardiac injury in patients with left breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery by multileaf collimator (MLC) shielding technique.Methods A total of 18 patients with left breast cancer after breast conserving surgery were selected to obtain 3DCT and 4DCT images at free breathing state.The target area was identified on the 3DCT image by registration with 4DCT images and to develop a hybrid intensity-modulated treatment plan (H_IMRT) and a heart sparing hybrid intensity-modulated treatment plan (HSH_IMRT) to introduce MLC shielding technology to reduce the cardiac exposure dose,and to perform dosimetry verification of the treatment plan by using the Compass verification system.The prescription dose was 50 Gy in 25 fractions.The dosimetry parameters of the target area and the organs at risk were compared between the two treatment plans and the dose verification result.Results The result of the treatment plan showed that compared with H_IMRT,the dose uniformity of the target area of HSH_IMRT was better,and the difference of conformability was not statistically significant (P＞0.05).The mean dose of the whole heart decreased by 23.67％ (t =13.693,P＜0.05) compared with the former.Dmax and D of other substructures of the heart were lower than the former.The result of dose verification showed that there was no statistically significant difference in uniformity and conformity between the two planned target doses (P＞ 0.05).The mean dose of the whole heart of HSH_IMRT was 24.88％ (t =13.782,P＜0.05) lower than that of H_IMRT,and except for the left ventricle and right ventricle,the Dmax of other heart substructures and D of all heart substructures decreased.Both the planned and the dose verification result showed that the V20 and the D of the affected lung were lower in HSH_IMRT.Conclusions Reasonable introduction of MLC shielding technology in H_IMRT can reduce the exposure dose of cardiac and further reduce the risk of radiation damage in heart.
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This paper introduces the failure phenomenon, failure analysis, maintenance process and method of SIEMENS PRIMUS linear accelerator.
Subject(s)
Particle Accelerators , Radiotherapy DosageABSTRACT
Objective To study the effect of leaf movement speed on the setup error of multileaf collimator (MLC) in RapidArc mode,and to improve quality assurance and verify the reliability of RapidArc.Methods Referring to the PicketFenceStatic_M120.dcm and PicketFenceRA_Ml20.dcm files,the Tilt tests with different adjacent leaf speed were designed and setup errors of MLC were obtained by analyzing electronic portal imaging device images.Results In the Tilt tests,the setup errors gradually increased from gapl 1 to gapS0 in both static gantry mode and RapidArc mode.With a gantry angle of 270°,gap41 had the maximum setup error of-0.55 mm.In the RapidArc mode,gap46 had the maximum setup error of-0.67 mm.The deviation of gap width was no greater than 15％ in any mode.There was no significant difference in deviation pattern of gap width between four modes with different gantry angles.The same gaps in different stripes showed a consistent trend in gap width.The RapidArc mode had a larger variation in percentage deviation of gap width than the static gantry mode.Conclusions The setup error increases with the increase in the speed of MLC leaf.The variation in the leaf speed has no significant impact on the gap width.There is no correlation between the leaf speed and the deviation of gap width.Four different gantry angles give similar deviation patterns of gap width,suggesting that the deviation of gap width is related to the leaf rather than the gantry angle.The RapidArc mode has a greater impact on the gap width than the fixed gantry mode.
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INTRODUCTION: Linear accelerator (Linac) based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has been used for treating small intracranial lesions. Recent development in the Linacs such as inbuilt micro multileaf collimator (MLC) and flattening filter free (FFF) beam are intended to provide a better dose conformity and faster delivery when using VMAT technique. This study was aimed to compare the dosimetric outcomes and monitor units (MUs) of the stereotactic treatment plans for different commercially available MLC models and beam profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients having 12 planning target volume (PTV)/gross target volume’s (GTVs) who received the SRS/SRT treatment in our clinic using Axesse Linac (considered reference arm gold standard) were considered for this study. The test arms comprised of plans using Elekta Agility with FFF, Elekta Agility with the plane beam, Elekta APEX, Varian Millennium 120, Varian Millennium 120HD, and Elekta Synergy in Monaco treatment planning system. Planning constraints and calculation grid spacing were not altered in the test plans. To objectively evaluate the efficacy of MLC‑beam model, the resultant dosimetric outcomes were subtracted from the reference arm parameters. RESULTS: V95%, V100%, V105%, D1%, maximum dose, and mean dose of PTV/GTV showed a maximum inter MLC ‑ beam model variation of 1.5% and 2% for PTV and GTV, respectively. Average PTV conformity index and heterogeneity index shows a variation in the range 0.56–0.63 and 1.08–1.11, respectively. Mean dose difference (excluding Axesse) for all organs varied between 1.1 cGy and 74.8 cGy (mean dose = 6.1 cGy standard deviation [SD] = 26.9 cGy) and 1.7 cGy–194.5 cGy (mean dose 16.1 cGy SD = 57.2 cGy) for single and multiple fraction, respectively. CONCLUSION: The dosimetry of VMAT‑based SRS/SRT treatment plan had minimal dependence on MLC and beam model variations. All tested MLC and beam model could fulfil the desired PTV coverage and organs at risk dose constraints. The only notable difference was the halving of the MU for FFF beam as compared to the plane beam. This has the potential to reduce the total patient on couch time by 15% (approximately 2 min).
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Objective To design a method for detecting multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf position accuracy in implementing a static intensity-modulated plan and to analyze the impacts of leaf errors on dose of targets and normal organs.Methods Static intensity-modulated planning for twenty lung cancer cases through dose verification was sorted in an ascending order according to the number of segment,and then the first and the last 10 plans were sorted as the simple plan group and the complex plan group,respectively.These plans were transmitted to a Varian 600CD accelerator and implemented by it.Photos were taken with PV aS500 electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and actual position of leafs was determined by gradient algorithm to calculate the pass rate for leaf verification.MLC files were modified according to examination results and the plans were re-calculated while keeping other parameters unchanged.Thus,difference of targets and normal organs dose distribution before and after the appearance of leaf errors were obtained.Results The dose distribution of most organs after leaf errors were increased or decreased,and the maximum dose of spinal cord in the sixth and thirteen cases exceeded the limit of 45 Gy.In the group of simple plan only the changes of maximum dose to the spinal cord were statistically significant(t =-3.08,P ＜ 0.05),while in the group of the complex plan all changes of D95％ of PGTV and PTV,maximum dose of the spinal cord,V20 of lung and V40 of heart were statistically significant(t =-1.89,-1.99,-2.36,-2.55,-1.85,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions To ensure the safety and effects,it was necessary to detect leaf position,particularly the complex intensity-modulated planning.Electronic portal imaging devices and treatment planning system could detect leaf positions during the implementation of a plan and obtain the actual dose of targets and normal organs.
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Objective To establish a new method to analyze the position accuracy of multileaf collimator (MLC) in the dynamic mode.Methods The MLC test sequence was created in a field,where intentional leaf positional errors ranging from 0.1 to 1 mm per centimeter were introduced.In order to establish the relationship between the ion chamber readings and leaf position,whose slope indicated the leaf position error per centimeter,a two-dimensional ion chamber array was used to measure absorbed dose while leaves were moving at dose rates of 100,300 and 600 MU/min,respectively.For routine test,leaf position error was easily found via dose profile in y direction of the field created by dynamic leaves,where the position error could be quantitatively calculated as the slope of absorbed dose line of x direction of the same field.Results The error of 0.2 mm or more per centimeter was obviously shown through y dose profile.The calibration curve was linear at different dose rates.At 600 MU/min,a 0.1 mm leaf position error corresponded to a slope variation of 0.74％,and the differences between the tested errors and the introduced errors were within 0.1 mm.Conclusions The simple and reliable method is helpful to establish the intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality control (QC) system.
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Objective To explore the relationship between DLG value and planning dose distribution and actual treatment dose distribution.Methods IMRT and VMAT plans were generated in Eclipse TPS for a typical whole pelvis case,separately.For IMRT plan,MLC position and actual fluence were calculated for each DLG value with the same optimal fluence.Plans with different DLGs of 0 cm and 0.3 cm were compared by several dosimetric indexes.For exploring the PTV mean dose difference between planning dose and actual IMRT or VMAT treatment,planning dose was recalculated with fixed MLC position and different DLGs.Results Dosimetric differences of PTV V50,rectum V40,bladder V40,small bowel V35,left and right femoral head Dmax were 1.49％,0.72％,0.82％,0.68％,0.02 and 0.14 Gy respectively,the average leaf pair width of MLC segments was correlated with DLG (R2 =0.996,P ＜0.05) and reduced with the increase of DLG.In actual treatment,3.95％ and 1.5％ mean dose reduction in PTV were observed while DLG increased per 0.1 cm in the typical pelvis case,in IMRT and VMAT treatment respectively.Conclusions DLG can result in the change of MLC position and the dose difference between planning and actual treatment.
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Objective To compare the dosimetric difference between the two beams formed by low melting-point lead (LML) and multileaf collimator (MLC) in orbit radiotherapy, so as to select the one with a lower lens dose for treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy. Methods Patients with unilateral and bilateral Graves' ophthalmopathy (10 cases each) suitable for radiotherapy were selected for dosimetric comparison. The identical sketching principle of target volume was employed, and the prescribed dose of planning target volume (PTV) was 2000 cGy/10 times. The distribution of radiation field in unilateral group was 3 fields (2 X-ray fields + 1 electron field), and in bilateral group was 4 fields (2 X-ray fields + 2 electron fields), and LML and MLC were employed to form the radiation field. The conformity index (CI) and dose volume histogram (DVH) were compared between the two formation methods of radiation field; the effective penumbra area of the half radiation field formed by the two methods and its influence on the lens dose were analyzed with flushing-free film and dose analysis software. Results The average dose of the affected side lens in MLC unilateral group was 582 ± 34cGy, and of the lens of uninjured side was 160 ± 22cGy, the CI of target volume was 0.69; the average dose of the left and right lens in MLC bilateral group was 591 ± 47cGy and 585 ± 52cGy, respectively, and the CI was 0.67. The average dose of the affected side lens in LML unilateral group was 252 ± 45cGy, and that of the uninjured side lens was 148 ± 19cGy, and the CI was 0.71; the average dose of the left and right lens in LML bilateral group was 247 ± 44cGy and 256 ± 42cGy, respectively, and the CI was 0.68. When the X-ray energy was setup at 4MV and 8MV, the half radiation field was 5cm X 5cm with a depth of 4cm, and the effective penumbra area of LML was 3mm smaller than that of MLC. Conclusion A small radiation area formed by LML may be more appropriate, and it may not only diminish the penumbra of radiation field, also it significantly reduce the irradiation dose imparted to patients' affected side lens.
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Objective To evaluate the sensitivity of patient-specific volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) quality assurance (QA) to minor multileaf collimator (M LC) positioning errors.Methods Systematic multileaf collimator (MLC) positioning errors (+0.5 mm,+ 1 mm and +2 mm) were introduced into the clinical VMAT patient plans with 2 types of MLC positioning errors:systematic MLC gap width errors and systematic MLC shift errors for 6 cases,including 3 cases with prostatic cancer and 3 cases with nasopharyngeal cancer.The planar dose distributions of the original and modified plans were measured using ArcCheck array.The coincidence between the measured results and the calculated results was evaluated using both absolute distance-to-agreement (AD-DTA) analysis with 3％/3 mm and 2％/2 mm criteria.Results The average passing rate of the 6 original VMAT plans was 96.0％ with the ADDTA criteria of 3％/3 mm which was commonly adopted in clinical practice.For the MLC gap width errors of + 1 mm,+2 mm,and-2 mm and the MLC shift errors of 2 mm,the drop levels in average passing rate with the AD-DTA criteria of 3％/3 mm were 8.8％,15.5％,6.1％ and 7.9％,respectively.The + 2 mm MLC positioning errors and + 1 mm MLC gap width errors could be detected by the patient-specific VMAT QA procedure.The AD-DTA criteria of 2％/2 mm was more sensitive compared with the criteria of 3％/3 mm.Conclusions Patient-specific VMAT QA is not sensitive enough to detect the systematic MLC positioning errors within 1 mm.Additional MLC QA is needed to guarantee the accuracy of VMAT delivery.
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Objective To study the influence of the angle of multileaf collimator leaves on segments (control point for sliding windows) number and monitor units in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan optimization.Methods 10 cases undergone IMRT with rectangle target volume were choosed,2 plan were designed with step and shot technique and sliding windows technique for running direction of collimator with target long axis vertical and parallel respectively,compared the plans with similar optimization parameters for different angle of the collimator.Results The number of segments and monitor units increased by 52.8％ and 49.6％ more than longitudinal direction of leaf collimator with static IMRT respectively,there appeared significant difference (P =0.000) ; and the number of segments and monitor units increased by 58.2％ and 61.9％ more than longitudinal direction of leaf collimator with dynamic IMRT respectively,there appeared significant difference (P =0.000).Conclusions For the optimization of IMRT based on multileaf collimator,the direction of collimator perpendicular to the target long axis,there could be obviously decrease the number of monitor units,shorten the treatment time,improve the treatment efficiency with similar dose distribution.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate feasibility of Vertical Multileaf Collimator for determination of irradiation size using Vertical Multileaf Collimator and lead block to determine 4 different irradiation shape in case of Co-60 gamma-ray and 6 MV X-ray. We chose ion chamber, glass dosimeter and EBT chromic film to compare with Vertical Multileaf Collimator results and lead block results. In case of Co-60 gamma-ray and 6 MV X-ray, the central axis point dose normalized at reference field of lead block with ion chamber results for Vertical Multileaf Collimator were estimated higher than lead block about 5.1%, 4.2%. In case of Co-60 gamma-ray, the central axis point dose normalized at reference field of lead block with glass dosimeter results for Vertical Multileaf Collimator were estimated higher than lead block about 2.2%, 7.8%, 7.2%, 4.0% for reference, circle, triangle, cross field, respectively. In case of 6 MV X-ray, the central axis point dose normalized at reference field of lead block with glass dosimeter results for Vertical Multileaf Collimator were estimated higher than lead block about 6.7%, 6.2%, 3.8%, 6.2% for reference, circle, triangle, cross field, respectively. The results of EBT chromic film, Vertical Multileaf Collimator of penumbra size for all irradiation shape was smaller than lead block of those size that 2.0~3.5 mm for Co-60 gamma-ray, 0.5~1.0 mm for 6 MV X-ray. The results from this study, radiation treatment volume that results in shielding block can be minimized. In addition, during radiation treatment for 2, 3-dimensional radiation therapy using a Vertical Multileaf Collimator of this survey can be used to determine variety of irradiation fields.
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Axis, Cervical Vertebra , Feasibility Studies , GlassABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare radiation dose of the brain and lens among various conventional whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment plans for WBRT were generated with planning computed tomography scans of 11 patients. A traditional plan with an isocenter located at the field center and a parallel anterior margin at the lateral bony canthus was generated (P1). Blocks were automatically generated with a 1 cm margin on the brain (5 mm for the lens). Subsequently, the isocenter was moved to the lateral bony canthus (P2), and the blocks were replaced into the multileaf collimator (MLC) with a 5 mm leaf width in the craniocaudal direction (P3). For each patient plan, 30 Gy was prescribed at the isocenter of P1. Dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the brain and lens were compared by way of a paired t-test. RESULTS: Mean values of D(max) and V(105) of the brain in P1 were 111.9% and 23.6%, respectively. In P2 and P3, D(max) and V(105) of the brain were significantly reduced to 107.2% and 4.5~4.6%, respectively (p<0.001). The mean value of Dmean of the lens was 3.1 Gy in P1 and 2.4~2.9 Gy in P2 and P3 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: WBRT treatment plans with an isocenter located at the lateral bony canthus have dosimetric advantages for both the brain and lens without any complex method changes.
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Humans , BrainABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the penumbra of a new multileaf collimator equipped with Elekta Synergy accelerator. Methods The penumbra were derived from beam profiles measured in air and water using PinPoint ion chamber with PTW MP3 water phantom. Variations of penumbra with X-ray beam energy, depth in water, and leaf position were investigated. Results The penumbra in air for 6 MV X-ray was 2 mm less than that at depth of maximal dose in water. The penumbra of leaf side was 1 mm less than that of the leaf end. The penumbra had close relationship with beam energy, depth in water and leaf position. Penumbra was increased with beam quality and water depth. The leaf position had great influence on the penumbra. Conclusions The penumbra of the multileaf collimator is related to its original design and radiation delivery technique. Special considerations should be taken into during treatment planning.Regular measurement should be performed to guarantee the delivery quality.
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Objective To design leaf patterns for Multileaf Collimator(MLC)routine quality assurance(OA)with a 2D diode array.Methods According to the detector distribution characteristic of the 2D diode array and basillg on the"picket fence"pattern,design the"stepwise"pattern.For each diode involving MLC QA,a calibration curve of relative output versus leaf positioning error was measured through delivering a set of patterns with different intentionally introduced positioning errors.When this proposed technique was delivered,the referenced patterns were exposed,and the calibration curves were used as a mean to quantitative determination of the leaf possible positioning errors through the detector readings.Results Compared with the"picket fence"pattern,the"stepwise"pattern not only had a high detecting efficiency,but also increased the dosimetric sensidvity to leaf positioning error.A 1 mm Ieaf positioni.error corresponds to a dose variation of 25% for the"stepwise"pattern,while for the"picket fence"pattern the same positioning error just causes a 17% dose vailation.Conclusions The new"stepwise"pattern is more efficient to be carried out,and more sensitive to sub-millimeter changes of leaf positioning.
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This study was designed to evaluate radiosurgery technique using multiple noncoplanar arc therapy with intensity modulated fine MLC shaped photon beam. The stereotactic radiosurgery was performed with 6-MV X-ray beams from a Clinac 21EX LINAC (Varian, Palo Alto, CA, USA) with a MLC-120, which features a full 40 x 40 cm field and is the first MLC for general use that offers 0.5 cm resolution for high precision treatment of small and irregular fields. We used a single isocenter and five gantry-couch combinations with a set of intensity modulated arc therapy. We investigated dosimetric characteristics of 2 cm sized spherical target volume with film (X-OMAT V2 film, Kodak Inc, Rochester NY, USA) dosimetry within 25 x 25 cm acrylic phantom. A simulated single isocentric treatment using inversely planned 3D radiotherapy planning system demonstrated the ability to conform the dose distribution to an spherical target volume. The 80% dose level was adequate to encompass the target volume in frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes, and the region between the 40% and 80% isodose lines was 4.0~4.5 mm and comparable to the dose distribution of the Boston Arcs. We expect that our radiosurgery technique could be a treatment option for irregular-shaped large intracranial target.
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Radiosurgery , Radiotherapy , Radiotherapy, Intensity-ModulatedABSTRACT
In this study, the physical compensator made with the high density material, Cerrobend, and the electronic compensator realized by the movement of a dynamic multileaf collimator were analyzed in order to verify the properness of a design function in the commercial RTP (radiation treatment planning) system, Eclipse. The CT images of a phantom composed of the regions of five different thickness were acquired and the proper compensator which can make homogeneous dose distribution at the reference depth was designed in the RTP. The frame for the casting of Cerrobend compensator was made with a computerized automatic styrofoam cutting device and the Millennium MLC-120 was used for the electronic compensator. All the dose values and isodose distributions were measured with a radiographic EDR2 film. The deviation of a dose distribution was +/-0.99 cGy and +/-1.82 cGy in each case of a Cerrobend compensator and a electronic compensator compared with a +/-13.93 cGy deviation in an open beam condition. Which showed the proper function of the designed compensators in the view point of a homogeneous dose distribution. When the absolute dose value was analyzed, the Cerrobend compensator showed a +3.83% error and the electronic compensator showed a -4.37% error in comparison with a dose value which was calculated in the RTP. These errors can be admtted as an reasonable results that approve the accuracy of the compensator design in the RTP considering the error in the process of the manufacturing of the Cerrobend compensator and the limitation of a film in the absolute dosimetry.
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PURPOSE: The Conformal Radiation Therapy has been widely used under favour of development of computer technologies. The delivery of a large number of static radiation fields are being necessary for the conformal irradiation. In this paper, we investigate dosimetric characteristics on penumbra regions of a multileaf collimator(MLC), and compare to those of lead alloy block for he optimal use of the system in 3-D conformal radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The measurement of penumbra by MLC or lead alloy block was performed with 6 or 10 MV X-rays. The film was positioned at a dmax depth and 10 cm depth, and its optical density was determined using a scanning videodensitometer. The effective penumbra, the distance from 80% to 20% isodose lines and 90 to 10 were analyzed as a function of the angle between the direction of leaf motion and the edge defined by leaves. RESULTS: Increasing MLC angle (0-75degree) was observed with increasing the penumbra widths and the scalloping effect. There was no definite differences of penumbra width from 80% to 20% isodose lines, while being the small increase of penumbra width of lead alloy block are agree reasonably with those of MLC within 4.8mm. CONCLUSION: The comparative qualitative study of the penumbra between MLC and lead alloy block demonstrate the clinical acceptability and suitability of the multileaf collimator for 3-D conformal radiotherapy.