TTLL12 is required for primary ciliary axoneme formation in polarized epithelial cells.

The primary cilium is a critical sensory organelle that is built of axonemal microtubules ensheathed by a ciliary membrane. In polarized epithelial cells, primary cilia reside on the apical surface and must extend these microtubules directly into the extracellular space and remain a stable structure. However, the factors regulating cross-talk between ciliation and cell polarization, as well as, axonemal microtubule growth and stabilization in polarized epithelia are not fully understood. In this study, we find TTLL12, a previously uncharacterized member of the Tubulin Tyrosine Ligase-Like (TTLL) family, localizes to the base of primary cilia and is required for cilia formation in polarized renal epithelial cells. We also show that TTLL12 directly binds to the α/ß-tubulin heterodimer in vitro and regulates microtubule dynamics, stability, and post-translational modifications (PTMs). While all other TTLLs catalyze the addition of glutamate or glycine to microtubule C-terminal tails, TTLL12 uniquely affects tubulin PTMs by promoting both microtubule lysine acetylation and arginine methylation. Together, this work identifies a novel microtubule regulator and provides insight into the requirements for apical extracellular axoneme formation.

Prostate-specific Antigen Bounce After Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Four Prospective Trials.

AIMS: We conducted a pooled analysis of four prospective stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) trials of low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer to evaluate the incidence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) bounce and its correlation with the time-dose-fraction schedule. The correlation between bounce with PSA response at 4 years (nadir PSA < 0.4 ng/ml) and biochemical failure-free survival (BFFS) was also explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included four treatment groups: 35 Gy/five fractions once per week (QW) (TG-1; n = 84); 40 Gy/five fractions QW (TG-2; n = 100); 40 Gy/five fractions every other day (TG-3; n = 73); and 26 Gy/two fractions QW (TG-4; n = 30). PSA bounce was defined as a rise in PSA by 0.2 ng/ml (nadir + 0.2) or 2 ng/ml (nadir + 2.0) above nadir followed by a decrease back to nadir. Patients with fewer than three follow-up PSA tests were excluded from the pooled analysis. RESULTS: In total, 287 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 5.0 years. The pooled 5-year cumulative incidence of bounce by nadir + 2.0 was 8%. The 2-year cumulative incidences of PSA bounce by nadir + 0.2 were 28.9, 21, 19.6 and 16.7% (P = 0.12) and by nadir + 2.0 were 7.2, 8, 2.7 and 6.7% (P = 0.32) for TG-1 to TG-4, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed that for nadir + 2.0, pre-treatment PSA (odds ratio 0.49; 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.97) correlated with PSA bounce. Although PSA bounce by nadir + 0.2 (odds ratio 0.10; 95% confidence interval 0.04-0.24) and nadir + 2.0 (odds ratio 0.29; 95% confidence interval 0.09-0.93) was associated with a lower probability of PSA response at 4 years, there was no association between bounce by nadir + 0.2 (hazard ratio 0.36; 95% confidence interval 0.08-1.74) or nadir + 2 (hazard ratio 1.77; 95% confidence interval 0.28-11.07) with BFFS. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PSA bounce was independent of time-dose-fraction schedule for prostate SBRT. One in 13 patients experienced a bounce high enough to be misinterpreted as biochemical failure, and clinicians should avoid early salvage interventions in these patients. There was no association between PSA bounce and BFFS.

A model-based 3D patient-specific pre-treatment QA method for VMAT using the EPID.

This study reports the development and validation of a model-based, 3D patient dose reconstruction method for pre-treatment quality assurance using EPID images. The method is also investigated for sensitivity to potential MLC delivery errors. Each cine-mode EPID image acquired during plan delivery was processed using a previously developed back-projection dose reconstruction model providing a 3D dose estimate on the CT simulation data. Validation was carried out using 24 SBRT-VMAT patient plans by comparing: (1) ion chamber point dose measurements in a solid water phantom, (2) the treatment planning system (TPS) predicted 3D dose to the EPID reconstructed 3D dose in a solid water phantom, and (3) the TPS predicted 3D dose to the EPID and our forward predicted reconstructed 3D dose in the patient (CT data). AAA and AcurosXB were used for TPS predictions. Dose distributions were compared using 3%/3 mm (95% tolerance) and 2%/2 mm (90% tolerance) γ-tests in the planning target volume (PTV) and 20% dose volumes. The average percentage point dose differences between the ion chamber and the EPID, AcurosXB, and AAA were 0.73 ± 1.25%, 0.38 ± 0.96% and 1.06 ± 1.34% respectively. For the patient (CT) dose comparisons, seven (3%/3 mm) and nine (2%/2 mm) plans failed the EPID versus AAA. All plans passed the EPID versus Acuros XB and the EPID versus forward model γ-comparisons. Four types of MLC sensitive errors (opening, shifting, stuck, and retracting), of varying magnitude (0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mm), were introduced into six different SBRT-VMAT plans. γ-comparisons of the erroneous EPID dose and original predicted dose were carried out using the same criteria as above. For all plans, the sensitivity testing using a 3%/3 mm γ-test in the PTV successfully determined MLC errors on the order of 1.0 mm, except for the single leaf retraction-type error. A 2%/2 mm criteria produced similar results with two more additional detected errors.

Frame average optimization of cine-mode EPID images used for routine clinical in vivo patient dose verification of VMAT deliveries.

PURPOSE: The in vivo 3D dose delivered to a patient during volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) delivery can be calculated using electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images. These images must be acquired in cine-mode (i.e., "movie" mode) in order to capture the time-dependent delivery information. The angle subtended by each cine-mode EPID image during an arc can be changed via the frame averaging number selected within the image acquisition software. A large frame average number will decrease the EPID's angular resolution and will result in a decrease in the accuracy of the dose information contained within each image. Alternatively, less EPID images acquired per delivery will decrease the overall 3D patient dose calculation time, which is appealing for large-scale clinical implementation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the optimal frame average value per EPID image, defined as the highest frame averaging that can be used without an appreciable loss in 3D dose reconstruction accuracy for VMAT treatments. METHODS: Six different VMAT plans and six different SBRT-VMAT plans were delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom. Delivery was carried out on a Varian 2300ix model linear accelerator (Linac) equipped with an aS1000 EPID running at a frame acquisition rate of 7.5 Hz. An additional PC was set up at the Linac console area, equipped with specialized frame-grabber hardware and software packages allowing continuous acquisition of all EPID frames during delivery. Frames were averaged into "frame-averaged" EPID images using matlab. Each frame-averaged data set was used to calculate the in vivo dose to the patient and then compared to the single EPID frame in vivo dose calculation (the single frame calculation represents the highest possible angular resolution per EPID image). A mean percentage dose difference of low dose (<20% prescription dose) and high dose regions (>80% prescription dose) was calculated for each frame averaged scenario for each plan. The authors defined their unacceptable loss of accuracy as no more than a ±1% mean dose difference in the high dose region. Optimal frame average numbers were then determined as a function of the Linac's average gantry speed and the dose per fraction. RESULTS: The authors found that 9 and 11 frame averages were suitable for all VMAT and SBRT-VMAT treatments, respectively. This resulted in no more than a 1% loss to any of the dose region's mean percentage difference when compared to the single frame reconstruction. The optimized number was dependent on the treatment's dose per fraction and was determined to be as high as 14 for 12 Gy/fraction (fx), 15 for 8 Gy/fx, 11 for 6 Gy/fx, and 9 for 2 Gy/fx. CONCLUSIONS: The authors have determined an optimal EPID frame averaging number for multiple VMAT-type treatments. These are given as a function of the dose per fraction and average gantry speed. These optimized values are now used in the authors' clinical, 3D, in vivo patient dosimetry program. This provides a reduction in calculation time while maintaining the authors' required level of accuracy in the dose reconstruction.

An in vivo dose verification method for SBRT-VMAT delivery using the EPID.

PURPOSE: Radiation treatments have become increasingly more complex with the development of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). SBRT involves the delivery of substantially larger doses over fewer fractions than conventional therapy. SBRT-VMAT treatments will strongly benefit from in vivo patient dose verification, as any errors in delivery can be more detrimental to the radiobiology of the patient as compared to conventional therapy. Electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) are available on most commercial linear accelerators (Linacs) and their documented use for dosimetry makes them valuable tools for patient dose verification. In this work, the authors customize and validate a physics-based model which utilizes on-treatment EPID images to reconstruct the 3D dose delivered to the patient during SBRT-VMAT delivery. METHODS: The SBRT Linac head, including jaws, multileaf collimators, and flattening filter, were modeled using Monte Carlo methods and verified with measured data. The simulation provides energy spectrum data that are used by their "forward" model to then accurately predict fluence generated by a SBRT beam at a plane above the patient. This fluence is then transported through the patient and then the dose to the phosphor layer in the EPID is calculated. Their "inverse" model back-projects the EPID measured focal fluence to a plane upstream of the patient and recombines it with the extra-focal fluence predicted by the forward model. This estimate of total delivered fluence is then forward projected onto the patient's density matrix and a collapsed cone convolution algorithm calculates the dose delivered to the patient. The model was tested by reconstructing the dose for two prostate, three lung, and two spine SBRT-VMAT treatment fractions delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom. It was further validated against actual patient data for a lung and spine SBRT-VMAT plan. The results were verified with the treatment planning system (TPS) (ECLIPSE AAA) dose calculation. RESULTS: The SBRT-VMAT reconstruction model performed very well when compared to the TPS. A stringent 2%/2 mm χ-comparison calculation gave pass rates better than 91% for the prostate plans, 88% for the lung plans, and 86% for the spine plans for voxels containing 80% or more of the prescribed dose. Patient data were 86% for the lung and 95% for the spine. A 3%/3 mm χ-comparison was also performed and gave pass rates better than 93% for all plan types. CONCLUSIONS: The authors have customized and validated a robust, physics-based model that calculates the delivered dose to a patient for SBRT-VMAT delivery using on-treatment EPID images. The accuracy of the results indicates that this approach is suitable for clinical implementation. Future work will incorporate this model into both offline and real-time clinical adaptive radiotherapy.

A Monte Carlo tool for evaluating VMAT and DIMRT treatment deliveries including planar detectors.

The aim of this work is to describe and validate a new general research tool that performs Monte Carlo (MC) simulations for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and dynamic intensity modulated radiation therapy (DIMRT), simultaneously tracking dose deposition in both the patient CT geometry and an arbitrary planar detector system. The tool is generalized to handle either entrance or exit detectors and provides the simulated dose for the individual control-points of the time-dependent VMAT and DIMRT deliveries. The MC simulation tool was developed with the EGSnrc radiation transport. For the individual control point simulation, we rotate the patient/phantom volume only (i.e. independent of the gantry and planar detector geometries) using the gantry angle in the treatment planning system (TPS) DICOM RP file such that each control point has its own unique phantom file. After MC simulation, we obtained the total dose to the phantom by summing dose contributions for all control points. Scored dose to the sensitive layer of the planar detector is available for each control point. To validate the tool, three clinical treatment plans were used including VMAT plans for a prostate case and a head-and-neck case, and a DIMRT plan for a head-and-neck case. An electronic portal imaging device operated in 'movie' mode was used with the VMAT plans delivered to cylindrical and anthropomorphic phantoms to validate the code using an exit detector. The DIMRT plan was delivered to a novel transmission detector, to validate the code using an entrance detector. The total MC 3D absolute doses in patient/phantom were compared with the TPS doses, while 2D MC doses were compared with planar detector doses for all individual control points, using the gamma evaluation test with 3%/3 mm criteria. The MC 3D absolute doses demonstrated excellent agreement with the TPS doses for all the tested plans, with about 95% of voxels having γ <1 for the plans. For planar dosimetry image comparisons, we defined an acceptable pass rate of >90% of percentage pixels with γ <1. We found that over 90% of control points in the plans passed this criterion. In general, our results indicate that the simulation tool is suitable for accurately calculating both patient/phantom doses and planar doses for VMAT dose delivery. The tool will be valuable to check performance and advance the development of in vivo planar detectors for use in measurement-based VMAT dose verification. In addition, the tool can be useful as an independent research tool for VMAT commissioning of the TPS and delivery system.

Model-based prediction of portal dose images during patient treatment.

PURPOSE: Dosimetric verification of radiation therapy is crucial when delivering complex treatments like intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT. Pretreatment verification, characterized by methods applied without the patient present and before the treatment start date, is typically carried out at most centers. In vivo dosimetric verification, characterized by methods applied with the patient present, is not commonly carried out in the clinic. This work presents a novel, model-based EPID dosimetry method that could be used for routine clinical in vivo patient treatment verification. METHODS: The authors integrated a detailed fluence model with a patient scatter prediction model that uses a superposition of scatter energy fluence kernels, generated via Monte Carlo techniques, to determine patient scatter fluence delivered to the EPID. The total dose to the EPID was calculated using the sum of convolutions of the calculated energy fluence distribution entering the EPID with monoenergetic dose kernels, specific to the a-Si EPID. Measured images with simple, square fields delivered to slab phantoms were validated against predicted images. Measured and predicted images acquired during the delivery of IMRT fields to slabs and an anthropomorphic phantom were compared using the χ-comparison for 3% dose difference and 3 mm distance-to-agreement criteria. RESULTS: Predicted and measured images of the square fields with slabs in the field agreed within 2.5%. Predicted portal dose images of clinical IMRT fields delivered to slabs and an anthropomorphic phantom agreed with measured images within 3% and 3 mm for an average of at least 97% of the infield pixels (defined as >10% maximum field dose) for each case, over all fields. CONCLUSIONS: This work presents the first validation of the integration of a comprehensive fluence model with a patient and EPID radiation transport model that accounts for patient transmission, including complex factors such as patient scatter and the energy response of the a-Si detector. The portal dose image prediction model satisfies the 3% and 3 mm criteria for IMRT fields delivered to slab phantoms and could be used for patient treatment verification.

Investigation of the spatial resolution of an online dose verification device.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work is to characterize a new online dose verification device, COMPASS transmission detector array (IBA Dosimetry, Schwarzenbruck, Germany). The array is composed of 1600 cylindrical ionization chambers of 3.8 mm diameter, separated by 6.5 mm center-to-center spacing, in a 40 × 40 arrangement. METHODS: The line spread function (LSF) of a single ion chamber in the detector was measured with a narrow slit collimator for a 6 MV photon beam. The 0.25 × 10 mm(2) slit was formed by two machined lead blocks. The LSF was obtained by laterally translating the detector in 0.25 mm steps underneath the slit over a range of 24 mm and taking a measurement at each step. This measurement was validated with Monte Carlo simulation using BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc. The presampling modulation transfer function (MTF), the Fourier transform of the line spread function, was determined and compared to calculated (Monte Carlo and analytical) MTFs. Two head-and-neck intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) fields were measured using the device and were used to validate the LSF measurement. These fields were simulated with the BEAMnrc Monte Carlo model, and the Monte Carlo generated incident fluence was convolved with the 2D detector response function (derived from the measured LSF) to obtain calculated dose. The measured and calculated dose distributions were then quantitatively compared using χ-comparison criteria of 3% dose difference and 3 mm distance-to-agreement for in-field points (defined as those above the 10% maximum dose threshold). RESULTS: The full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the measured detector response for a single chamber is 4.3 mm, which is comparable to the chamber diameter of 3.8 mm. The pre-sampling MTF was calculated, and the resolution of one chamber was estimated as 0.25 lp∕mm from the first zero crossing. For both examined IMRT fields, the χ-comparison between measured and calculated data show good agreement with 95.1% and 96.3% of in-field points below χ of 1.0 for fields 1 and 2, respectively (with an average χ of 0.29 for IMRT field 1 and 0.24 for IMRT field 2). CONCLUSIONS: The LSF for a new novel online detector has been measured at 6 MV using a narrow slit technique, and this measurement has been validated by Monte Carlo simulation. The detector response function derived from line spread function has been applied to recover measured IMRT fields. The results have shown that the device measures IMRT fields accurately within acceptable tolerance.

Sci-Thur AM: Planning - 04: Evaluation of the fluence complexity, solution quality, and run efficiency produced by five fluence parameterizations implemented in PARETO multiobjective radiotherapy treatment planning software.

PURPOSE: PARETO (Pareto-Aware Radiotherapy Evolutionary Treatment Optimization) is a novel multiobjective treatment planning system that performs beam orientation and fluence optimization simultaneously using an advanced evolutionary algorithm. In order to reduce the number of parameters involved in this enormous search space, we present several methods for modeling the beam fluence. The parameterizations are compared using innovative tools that evaluate fluence complexity, solution quality, and run efficiency. METHODS: A PARETO run is performed using the basic weight (BW), linear gradient (LG), cosine transform (CT), beam group (BG), and isodose-projection (IP) methods for applying fluence modulation over the projection of the Planning Target Volume in the beam's-eye-view plane. The solutions of each run are non-dominated with respect to other trial solutions encountered during the run. However, to compare the solution quality of independent runs, each run competes against every other run in a round robin fashion. Score is assigned based on the fraction of solutions that survive when a tournament selection operator is applied to the solutions of the two competitors. To compare fluence complexity, a modulation index, fractal dimension, and image gradient entropy are calculated for the fluence maps of each optimal plan. RESULTS: We have found that the LG method results in superior solution quality for a spine phantom, lung patient, and cauda equina patient. The BG method produces solutions with the highest degree of fluence complexity. Most methods result in comparable run times. CONCLUSION: The LG method produces superior solution quality using a moderate degree of fluence modulation.

Sci-Fri PM: Delivery - 01: Approach to evaluate the accuracy of individual control-points of a VMAT delivery measured by an EPID.

A unique approach that uses Monte Carlo (MC) methods to validate time-resolved measured dose by an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) during delivery of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments was investigated. Time-resolved dose is simultaneously scored in both the patient and EPID geometries. A RapidArc© verification plan was generated and delivered on a homogeneous cylindrical phantom. Portal images were collected using an aS1000 amorphous-silicon EPID attached to a Varian Clinac 2100ix. The images were acquired in the continuous acquisition mode and in-house analysis software was used to obtain images for each control point. We performed MC simulation and dose calculation of the verification plan using the EGSnrc MC package. The MC phantom file contains both the EPID model and the cylindrical phantom derived from the CT data sets. For the individual control point simulation, we rotate the phantom only using the gantry angle information. For this work, we calculated dose distributions for five control points (out of a total of 177) in the verification plan. The normalized measured and calculated data were compared using the chi comparison (computationally efficient implementation of gamma). The chi comparison between measured and calculated doses for the five control points using criteria of 3% and 3mm revealed an average of 88.7% of all pixels having χ<1. The agreement will improve when the measured portal images are corrected for flood field and support-arm backscatter effects. This approach allows us to obtain both the EPID dose and the phantom/patient dose. These preliminary results demonstrate promising accuracy. With further improvements, this approach will be useful for benchmarking of time-resolved EPID dose applications intended for rotational IMRT QA and adaptive radiation therapy.

SU-E-J-55: Development of a Novel Cableless Radiolucent RF Coil for MR-Guided Radiation Therapy (MRgRT™).

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of a novel radiotherapy-compatible cableless radiofrequency (RF) coil for an MR-guided radiation therapy(MRgRT™) system that employs a movable MRI system. This coil technology will expedite clinical workflow by eliminating need for coil connections and cables, allowing RF coils to remain in place for treatment. METHODS: We quantified radiation transmission factors and surface dose changes for aluminum (Al), copper (Cu) and FR4 substrate typical of RF coils using a Varian Trilogy linear accelerator. Ion chamber measurements were performed by applying 6 MV fields of various sizes through sheets of each material and metal-substrate combination. These measurements were repeated with the materials on a standard treatment couch. Material optimization provided input to build a prototype cableless coil and representative coil segment for surface dose measurements. RESULTS: We observed expected patterns for radiation field sizes between 1 cm × 1 cm and 25 cm × 25 cm and expected variation with off-axis distances < 12 cm. All metal-substrate combinations had transmission factors > 0.996, the lowest being Cu-FR4. Relative surface dose increases were similar for Cu-FR4 (3.9) and Al-FR4 (3.3) combinations. Couchtop relative surface dose increases were much greater than coil materials alone and did not increase substantially with the addition of coil materials (couch-only = 6.6, couch with Cu-FR4 = 7.3). Relative surface dose increase was 6.23 for prototype coil segment with capacitor, but the capacitors are not in the primary beam path for the coil design. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate surface dose effectsare the dominant consideration in RF coil design for MRgRT. Similar Cu and Al surface dose effects suggest Cu is a viable coil inductor material for this application. Given that coil material contribution to surface dose is small compared to the couchtop material it is feasible to keep this cablelesscoil in place during radiation treatment. This work has received research personnel support from IMRIS.

Automatic conformal prescription of very selective saturation bands for in vivo 1H-MRSI of the prostate.

An important step in the implementation of three-dimensional in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging ((1)H-MRSI) of the prostate is the placement of spatial saturation pulses around the region of interest (ROI) for the removal of unwanted contaminating signals from peripheral tissue. The present study demonstrates the use of a technique called conformal voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (CV-MRS). This method automates the placement, orientation, timing and flip angle of very selective saturation (VSS) pulses around an irregularly-shaped, user-defined ROI. The method employs a user adjustable number of automatically positioned VSS pulses (20 used in the present study) which null the signal from periprostatic lipids while closely conforming the shape of the excitation voxel to the shape of the prostate. A standard endorectal coil in combination with a torso-phased array coil was used for all in vivo prostate studies. Three-dimensional in vivo prostate (1)H-MRSI data were obtained using the proposed semi-automated CV-MRS technique, and compared with a standard point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) technique at TE = 130 ms using manual placement of saturation pulses. The in vivo prostate (1)H-MRSI data collected from 12 healthy subjects using the CV-MRS method showed significantly reduced lipid contamination throughout the prostate, and reduced baseline distortions. On average there was a 50 ± 17% (range 12% - 68%) reduction in lipids throughout the prostate. A voxel-by-voxel benchmark test of over 850 voxels showed that there were 63% more peaks fitted using the LCModel when using a Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) cut-off of 40% when using the optimized conformal voxel technique in comparison to the manual placement approach. The evaluation of this CV-MRS technique has demonstrated the potential for easy automation of the graphical prescription of saturation bands for use in (1)H-MRSI.

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.

Dosimetric properties of an amorphous-silicon EPID used in continuous acquisition mode for application to dynamic and arc IMRT.

Dosimetric properties of an amorphous-silicon electronic portal imaging device (EPID) operated in a real-time acquisition mode were investigated. This mode will be essential for time-resolved dose verification of dynamic (sliding window) intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and intensity modulated arc radiation therapy (arc-IMRT). The EPID was used in continuous acquisition mode (i.e., "cine" mode) where individual sequential image frames are acquired in real time. The properties studied include dose linearity, reproducibility of response, and image stability. Results of using the continuous acquisition mode with several example treatments including dynamic IMRT, arc treatment, and single-arc-IMRT are compared to results using the well-studied integrated acquisition mode (i.e., "frame averaging" or "IMRT" mode). Real-time EPID response was also compared to real-time ion-chamber data for selected points in the deliveries. The example treatment deliveries in both continuous and integrated acquisition modes were converted to arbitrary EPID dose units via a calibration field. The summation of all acquired continuous mode images was compared using percentage dose difference to the single image acquired in the integrated mode using in-field pixels only (defined as those pixels > 10% of maximum, in-field signal). Using the continuous acquisition mode, the EPID response was not linear with dose. It was found that the continuous mode dose response corresponded approximately to dropping one image per acquisition session. Reproducibility of EPID response to low monitor units (MUs) was found to be poor but greatly improved with increasing MU. Open field profiles were found to be stable in the cross-plane direction but required several frames to become stable in the in-plane direction. However, both of these issues are clinically insignificant due to arc-IMRT deliveries requiring relatively large monitor units (> 100 MU). Analysis of the five IMRT, arc, and arc-IMRT tests revealed that all examples compared to within 2% of maximum dose for more than 95% of in-field pixels. The continuous acquisition mode is suited to time-resolved dosimetry applications including arc-IMRT and dynamic IMRT, giving comparable dose results to the well-studied integrated acquisition mode, although caution should be used in low MU applications. Time-resolved EPID dose information also compared well to time-resolved ion-chamber measurements.

Comprehensive fluence model for absolute portal dose image prediction.

Amorphous silicon (a-Si) electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) continue to be investigated as treatment verification tools, with a particular focus on intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This verification could be accomplished through a comparison of measured portal images to predicted portal dose images. A general fluence determination tailored to portal dose image prediction would be a great asset in order to model the complex modulation of IMRT. A proposed physics-based parameter fluence model was commissioned by matching predicted EPID images to corresponding measured EPID images of multileaf collimator (MLC) defined fields. The two-source fluence model was composed of a focal Gaussian and an extrafocal Gaussian-like source. Specific aspects of the MLC and secondary collimators were also modeled (e.g., jaw and MLC transmission factors, MLC rounded leaf tips, tongue and groove effect, interleaf leakage, and leaf offsets). Several unique aspects of the model were developed based on the results of detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the linear accelerator including (1) use of a non-Gaussian extrafocal fluence source function, (2) separate energy spectra used for focal and extrafocal fluence, and (3) different off-axis energy spectra softening used for focal and extrafocal fluences. The predicted energy fluence was then convolved with Monte Carlo generated, EPID-specific dose kernels to convert incident fluence to dose delivered to the EPID. Measured EPID data were obtained with an a-Si EPID for various MLC-defined fields (from 1 x 1 to 20 x 20 cm2) over a range of source-to-detector distances. These measured profiles were used to determine the fluence model parameters in a process analogous to the commissioning of a treatment planning system. The resulting model was tested on 20 clinical IMRT plans, including ten prostate and ten oropharyngeal cases. The model predicted the open-field profiles within 2%, 2 mm, while a mean of 96.6% of pixels over all IMRT fields was in agreement with the 2%, 3 mm criteria. This model demonstrates accuracy commensurate to existing methods for IMRT pretreatment verification with portal dose image prediction of complex clinical examples (< 2%, 3 mm).

A comparison of medical physics training and education programs--Canada and Australia.

An overview and comparison of medical physics clinical training, academic education, and national certification/accreditation of individual professionals in Canada and Australia is presented. Topics discussed include program organization, funding, fees, administration, time requirements, content, program accreditation, and levels of certification/accreditation of individual Medical Physicists. Differences in the training, education, and certification/accreditation approaches between the two countries are highlighted. The possibility of mutual recognition of certified/accredited Medical Physicists is examined.

Sci-Thurs PM: Delivery-04: Comprehensive fluence model for absolute portal dose image prediction in IMRT pre-treatment verification.

Amorphous silicon (a-Si) electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) have been heavily investigated as treatment verification tools, with a particular focus on intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This verification could be accomplished through a comparison of measured portal images to predicted images. A general fluence determination for portal dose image prediction would be a great asset in order to model the complex modulation of IMRT. A physically-based parameter fluence model was developed by matching multi-leaf collimator defined predicted images to measured image profiles. The fluence model was composed of a focal Gaussian and extrafocal Gaussian-like source (Pearson VII). Specific aspects of the MLCs and secondary collimators were also modeled (eg. jaw and MLC transmission factors, MLC rounded leaf tips, tongue and groove effect, interleaf leakage, MLC offsets). The resulting calculated fluence was then convolved with Monte Carlo generated EPID-specific dose kernels to convert incident fluence to dose delivered to the EPID. Measured EPID data was obtained with an a-Si EPID for various MLC-defined fields (1×1 to 20×20 cm2 ) over a range of source-to-imager distances. These measured profiles were used to determine the fluence model parameters and the resulting model was tested on prostate and oropharyngeal IMRT fields. The model predicted the open-field profiles within 2%, 2mm, while the predicted IMRT fields were generally within 3%, 3mm for at least 96% of the pixels. This model demonstrates the necessary accuracy needed for IMRT portal dose image prediction in complex clinical examples (<3%, 3mm) and could be used for pre-treatment verification.