RESUMO
PURPOSE: The beam energy (PDD10: Percent depth dose) of a Tomotherapy Hi-ArtTM machine was varied in a controlled experiment from -1.64 to +1.66%, while keeping the output at 100% and the effect of this on IMRT output, MU chamber ratio (MUR), cone ratio (CR) and Tissue Maximum Ratio (TMR20/10) was studied METHODS: In this study, Injector Current Voltage (VIC) and Pulse Forming Network Voltage (VPFN) were changed in steps such that the PDD10 was varied from golden beam value incrementally between -1.64 to +1.66%. The effect of this on other energy indicators was studied to verify the sensitivity of TMR20/10, MUR, and detector data-based-CR. To quantify the effect of energy variation on Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) dose, multiple ion-chamber based dose measurements were recorded by irradiating a cylindrical phantom with standard IMRT plans. Dose variation across each commissioned Field width (FW) was tabulated against energy variation. RESULTS: Good agreement between PDD10 and TMR20/10, MUR, CR was observed. CR was more sensitive to energy change than PDD10. More variation was observed across standard IMRT plan with increasing energy. CONCLUSION: CR is more sensitive to energy changes compared to PDD10, and CR with MUR can definitely be used as surrogates for checks on a daily/weekly basis. Variation in output across the 6 standard IMRT plans can vary up to 2.8% for a 1.6% increase in energy. Hence, it is of utmost importance to manage the PDD10 tightly around +0.5% in order to regulate standard IMRT QA agreement to within 1% and patient IMRT QA within ±3%.
