The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has a long tradition of supporting development of methodologies for national networks providing quality audits in radiotherapy. A series of co-ordinated research projects (CRPs) has been conducted by the IAEA since 1995 assisting national external audit groups developing national audit programs. The CRP ‘Development of Quality Audits for Radiotherapy Dosimetry for Complex Treatment Techniques’ was conducted in 2009–2012 as an extension of previously developed audit programs. Material and methods. The CRP work described in this paper focused on developing and testing two steps of dosimetry audit: verification of heterogeneity corrections, and treatment planning system (TPS) modeling of small MLC fields, which are important for the initial stages of complex radiation treatments, such as IMRT. The project involved development of a new solid slab phantom with heterogeneities containing special measurement inserts for thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) and radiochromic films. The phantom and the audit methodology has been developed at the IAEA and tested in multi-center studies involving the CRP participants. Results. The results of multi-center testing of methodology for two steps of dosimetry audit show that the design of audit procedures is adequate and the methodology is feasible for meeting the audit objectives. A total of 97% TLD results in heterogeneity situations obtained in the study were within 3% and all results within 5% agreement with the TPS predicted doses. In contrast, only 64% small beam profiles were within 3 mm agreement between the TPS calculated and film measured doses. Film dosimetry results have highlighted some limitations in TPS modeling of small beam profiles in the direction of MLC leave movements. Discussion. Through multi-center testing, any challenges or difficulties in the proposed audit methodology were identified, and the methodology improved. Using the experience of these studies, the participants could incorporate the auditing procedures in their national programs.
The measurement of air kerma in air (Kair) to estimate average glandular dose (AGD) received during digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) studies is sometimes a difficult task. In this work, a novel methodology was implemented to measure Kair and half-value layer while the X-ray tube is rotating. A low economic cost support (LCS) was built to place aluminium sheets and a calibrated dosemeter. Three Fujifilm Innovality equipment were used and two dosemeters calibrated on W–Al energies. Validation of the new methodology was made against standard scheme and it was applied to estimate AGD for 300 patients and 7 phantoms. Validation analysis was satisfactory. The difference in the AGD calculated with the LCS and DICOM Header was lower than ±10%. AGD values ranged from 0.77 to 2.11 mGy and 0.85 to 2.15 mGy for phantoms and patients, respectively. The novel methodology has a potential use for DBT equipment without stationary mode.
The objective of this study was to characterise thermoluminescent (TLDs) and optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) at low X-ray energies and estimate the eye lens (DL), thyroid (DT) and mean glandular (DG) doses received during Full-Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) and Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT). The dosimeters were characterised in mammography energies. DL, DT and DG were estimated in FFDM and DBT mode taping dosimeters on the skin of the thyroid gland and on the left eye lens of an Alderson phantom. Dosimeters were also placed on the top of a NORMI PAS phantom simulating a compressed breast. The accuracy, precision and lower limit of detection (LLD) for TLDs and OSLDs were 5 and 8%, 6 and 3%, and 38 and 11 μSv, respectively. The linearity of the kerma response had an R2 > 0.99 and energy dependence was lower than 40%. DT ranged from 0.40 to 2.87 μGy for FFDM and 1.27 to 5.99 μGy for DBT. DG was between 0.50 and 1.27 mGy for FFDM and 1.07 and 1.60 mGy for DBT. DL was below the LLD. Dosimeters showed good performance. DG values were lower than those found in the literature, whereas DT value agreed with references. Differences between DG and DT determined with OSLDs and TLDs were lower than 10% and 200%.
Air-kerma calibration coefficients were compared at the radiotherapy level for orthovoltage x-ray beams in the SIM.RI(I)-K3 comparison for members of the Sistema Interamericano de Metrología (SIM). Five SIM laboratories participated in the comparison: NIST, NRC, ININ, CNEA and LNMRI, the NIST being the pilot laboratory. Results from the comparison are linked to the BIPM.RI(I)-K3 key comparison reference value through the NIST-BIPM comparison made in 2003 and will meet requirements of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) to support several CMCs (calibration and measurement capability claims) of the participants. The comparison began in October of 2007 and the measurements were completed in September 2008. The results reveal the degree to which the participating calibration facility can demonstrate proficiency in transferring air-kerma calibrations under the conditions of the said facility at the time of the measurements. The evaluation of the degrees of equivalence was performed as described in the comparison protocol. The comparison of the calibration coefficients for the four chambers is based on the average ratios of the calibration coefficients measured at the NIST and at each participating laboratory.
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