Optimal Density Assignment to 2D Diode Array Detector for Different Dose Calculation Algorithms in Patient Specific VMAT QA

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to assign an appropriate density to virtual phantom for 2D diode array detector with different dose calculation algorithms to guarantee the accuracy of patient-specific QA. Materials and Methods: Ten VMAT plans with 6 MV photon beam and ten VMAT plans with 15 MV photon beam were selected retrospectively. The computed tomography (CT) images of MapCHECK2 with MapPHAN were acquired to design the virtual phantom images. For all plans, dose distributions were calculated for the virtual phantoms with four different materials by AAA and AXB algorithms. The four materials were polystyrene, 455 HU, Jursinic phantom, and PVC. Passing rates for several gamma criteria were calculated by comparing the measured dose distribution with calculated dose distributions of four materials. Results and Discussion: For validation of AXB modeling in clinic, the mean percentages of agreement in the cases of dose difference criteria of 1.0% and 2.0% for 6 MV were 97.2% ± 2.3%, and 99.4% ± 1.1%, respectively while those for 15 MV were 98.5% ± 0.85% and 99.8% ± 0.2%, respectively. In the case of 2%/2 mm, all mean passing rates were more than 96.0% and 97.2% for 6 MV and 15 MV, respectively, regardless of the virtual phantoms of different materials and dose calculation algorithms. The passing rates in all criteria slightly increased for AXB as well as AAA when using 455 HU rather than polystyrene. Conclusion: The virtual phantom which had a 455 HU values showed high passing rates for all gamma criteria. To guarantee the accuracy of patent-specific VMAT QA, each institution should fine-tune the mass density or HU values of this device.

Validation of new transmission detector transmission factors for online dosimetry: an experimental study

“…Therefore, they require a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) testing to verify the dose delivery [ 4 – 6 ]. These QA methods can detect possible errors, which can cause serious side effects for patients [ 7 , 8 ]. Hence, pretreatment patient-specific dosimetry is essential [ 9 ].…”