• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.95-100
• /
• 1995

Purpose : To evaluate the effect on surface dose due to Aquaplast used for immobilizing the patients with head and neck cancers in photon beam radiotherapy Materials and Methods: To assess surface and buildup region dose for 6MV X-ray from linear accelerator(Siemens Mevatron 6740), we measured percent ionization value with the Markus chamber model 30-329 manufactured by PTW Frieburg and Capintec electrometer, model WK92. For measurement of surface ionization value, the chamber was embedded in $25{\times}25{\times}3cm^3$ acrylic phantom and set on $25{\times}25{\times}5cm^3$ polystyrene phantom to allow adequate scattering. The measurements of percent depth ionization were made by placing the polystyrene layers of appropriate thickness over the chamber. The measurements were taken at 100cm SSD for $5{\times}5cm^2$, $10{\times}10cm^2$ and $15{\times}15cm^2$ field sizes, respectively. Placing the layer of Aquaplast over the chamber, the same procedures were repeated. We evaluated two types of Aquaplast: 1.6mm layer of original Aquaplast(manufactured by WFR Aquaplast Corp.) and transformed Aquaplast similar to moulded one for immobilizing the patients practically. We also measured surface ionization values with blocking tray in presence or absence of transformed Aquaplast. In calculating percent depth dose, we used the formula suggested by Gerbi and Khan to correct overresponse of the Markus chamber. Results : The surface doses for open fields of $5{\times}5cm^2$, $10{\times}10cm^2$, and $15{\times}15cm^2$ were $79\%$, $13.6\%$, and $18.7\%$, respectively. The original Aquaplast increased the surface doses upto $38.4\%$, $43.6\%$, and $47.4\%$, respectively. For transformed Aquaplast, they were $31.2\%$, $36.1\%$, and $40.5\%$, respectively. There were little differences in percent depth dose values beyond the depth of Dmax. Increasing field size, the blocking tray caused increase of the surface dose by $0.2\%$, $1.7\%$, $3.0\%$ without Aquaplast, $0.2\%$, $1.9\%$, $3.7\%$ with transformed Aquaplast, respectively. Conclusion: The original and transformed Aquaplast increased the surface dose moderately. The percent depth doses beyond Dmax, however, were not affected by Aquaplast. In conclusion, although the use of Aquaplast in practice may cause some increase of skin and buildup region dose, reductioin of skin-sparing effect will not be so significant clinically.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.80-88
• /
• 2008

Recent radiotherapy dose planning system (RTPS) generally adapted the kernel beam using the convolution method for computation of tissue dose. To get a depth and profile dose in a given depth concerened a given photon beam, the energy spectrum was reconstructed from the attenuation dose of transmission of filter through iterative numerical analysis. The experiments were performed with 15 MV X rays (Oncor, Siemens) and ionization chamber (0.125 cc, PTW) for measurements of filter transmitted dose. The energy spectrum of 15MV X-rays was determined from attenuated dose of lead filter transmission from 0.51 cm to 8.04 cm with energy interval 0.25 MeV. In the results, the peak flux revealed at 3.75 MeV and mean energy of 15 MV X rays was 4.639 MeV in this experiments. The results of transmitted dose of lead filter showed within 0.6% in average but maximum 2.5% discrepancy in a 5 cm thickness of lead filter. Since the tissue dose is highly depend on the its energy, the lateral dose are delivered from the lateral spread of energy fluence through flattening filter shape as tangent 0.075 and 0.125 which showed 4.211 MeV and 3.906 MeV. In this experiments, analyzed the energy spectrum has applied to obtain the percent depth dose of RTPS (XiO, Version 4.3.1, CMS). The generated percent depth dose from $6{\times}6cm^2$ of field to $30{\times}30cm^2$ showed very close to that of experimental measurement within 1 % discrepancy in average. The computed dose profile were within 1% discrepancy to measurement in field size $10{\times}10cm$, however, the large field sizes were obtained within 2% uncertainty. The resulting algorithm produced x-ray spectrum that match both quality and quantity with small discrepancy in this experiments.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.337-345
• /
• 1998

Purpose : To obtain the uniform dose at limited depth to entire surface of the body, the dose characteristics of degraded electron beam of the large target-skin distance and the dose distribution of the six-dual electron fields were investigated Materials and Method : The experimental dose distributions included the depth dose curve, spatial dose and attenuated electron beam were determined with 300 cm of target-skin distance (TSD) and full collimator size (35*35 $cm^2$ on TSD 100 cm) in 4 MeV electron beam energy. Actual collimated field size of 105 cm * 105 cm at the distance of 300 cm could include entire hemibody. A patient was standing on step board with hands up and holding the pole to stabilize his/her positions for the six-dual fields technique. As a scatter-degrader, 0.5 cm of acrylic plate was inserted at 20 cm from the body surface on the electron beam path to induce ray scattering and to increase the skin dose. Results : The full width at half maximum(FWHM) of dose profile was 130 cm in large field of 105*105 $cm^2$ The width of $100\pm10\%$ of the resultant dose from two adjacent fields which were separated at 25 cm from field edge for obtaining the dose unifomity was extended to 186 cm. The depth of maximum dose lies at 5 mm and the 80$\%$ depth dose lies between 7 and 8 mm for the degraded electron beam by using the 0.5 cm thickness of acrylic absorber. Total skin electron beam irradiation (TSEBI) was carried out using the six dual fields has been developed at Stanford University. The dose distribution in TSEBI showed relatively uniform around the flat region of skin except the protruding and deeply curvatured portion of the body, which showed excess of dose at the former and less dose at the latter. Conclusion : The percent depth dose, profile curves and superimposed dose distribution were investigated using the degraded electron beam through the beam absorber. The dose distribution obtained by experiments of TSEBI showed within$\pm10\%$ difference except the protruding area of skin which needs a shield and deeply curvatured region of skin which needs boosting dose.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.145-151
• /
• 1985

The peripheral dose distributions of wedge fields of Co-60 $\gamma-ray$ and 1 OMV x-ray were measured by the solid state detector controlled by means of semiautomatic water phentom system. The measurements were made on the principal plane parallel to the cross section of wedge filter (blade and ridge direction). For parallel motion of the detector to the beam axis the distance from the margin of radiation field at suface were 3, 5 and 10cm. For tranverse motion the depth of measurement were dm, 5, 10 and 15cm. The followings were drawn from the measurement. 1. The peripheral dose of the blade side of wedges was generally higher than that of the ridge side at symmetric point about beam axis. 2. In the superficial region phenomena of dose build-up appeared. 3. For Co-60 $\gamma-ray$ field, the peripheral dose did not monotonously decrease with the distance from the field margin but increase in some range, consequently showing a peak dose. 4. The peripheral dose did not only depend on radiation quality and field size, but also on wedge angle and wedge direction.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.25-36
• /
• 1995

The purpose of this research is to develop stereotactic localization and radiation measurement system for the efficient and precise radiosurgery. The algorithm to obtain a 3-D stereotactic coordinates of the target has been developed using a Fisher CT or angio localization. The procedure of stereotactic localization was programmed with PC computer, and consists of three steps: (1) transferring patient images into PC; (2) marking the position of target and reference points of the localizer from the patient image; (3) computing the stereotactic 3-D coordinates of target associated with position information of localizer. Coordinate transformation was quickly done on a real time base. The difference of coordinates computed from between Angio and CT localization method was within 2 mm, which could be generally accepted for the reliability of the localization system developed. We measured dose distribution in small fields of NEC 6 MVX linear accelerator using various detector; ion chamber, film, diode. Specific quantities measured include output factor, percent depth dose (PDD), tissue maximum ratio (TMR), off-axis ratio (OAR). There was small variation of measured data according to the different kinds of detectors used. The overall trends of measured beam data were similar enough to rely on our measurement. The measurement was performed with the use of hand-made spherical water phantom and film for standard arc set-up. We obtained the dose distribution as we expected. In conclusion, PC-based 3-D stereotactic localization system was developed to determine the stereotactic coordinate of the target. A convenient technique for the small field measurement was demonstrated. Those methods will be much helpful for the stereotactic radiosurgery.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.63-71
• /
• 2002

The aim of this study Is to develop a simple and fast method which computes in-vivo doses from transmission doses measured doting patient treatment using an ionization chamber. Energy fluence and the dose that reach the chamber positioned behind the patient is modified by three factors: patient attenuation, inverse square attenuation. and scattering. We adopted a straightforward empirical approach using a phantom transmission factor (PTF) which accounts for the contribution from all three factors. It was done as follows. First of all, the phantom transmission factor was measured as a simple ratio of the chamber reading measured with and without a homogeneous phantom in the radiation beam according to various field sizes($r_p$), phantom to chamber distance($d_g$) and phantom thickness($T_p$). Secondly, we used the concept of effective field to the cases with inhomogeneous phantom (patients) and irregular fields. The effective field size is calculated by finding the field size that produces the same value of PTF to that for the irregular field and/or inhomogeneous phantom. The hypothesis is that the presence of inhomogeneity and irregular field can be accommodated to a certain extent by altering the field size. Thirdly, the center dose at the prescription depth can be computed using the new TMR($r_{p,eff}$) and Sp($r_{p,eff}$) from the effective field size. After that, when TMR(d, $r_{p,eff}$) and SP($r_{p,eff}$) are acquired. the tumor dose is as follows. $$D_{center}=D_t/PTF(d_g,\;T_p){\times}(\frac{SCD}{SAD})^2{\times}BSF(r_o){\times}S_p(r_{p,eff}){\times}TMR(d,\;r_{p,eff})$$ To make certain the accuracy of this method, we checked the accuracy for the following four cases; in cases of regular or irregular field size, inhomogeneous material included, any errors made and clinical situation. The errors were within 2.3% for regular field size, 3.0% irregular field size, 2.4% when inhomogeneous material was included in the phantom, 3.8% for 6 MV when the error was made purposely, 4.7% for 10 MV and 1.8% for the measurement of a patient in clinic. It is considered that this methode can make the quality control for dose at the time of radiation therapy because it is non-invasive that makes possible to measure the doses whenever a patient is given a therapy as well as eliminates the problem for entrance or exit dose measurement.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 2011

This study used the optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs), recently, received the revaluation of usefulness in vivo dosimetry, and the diode detecters to measure the skin dose of patient with the rectal cancer. The measurements of dose delivered were compared with the planned dose from the treatment planning system (TPS). We evaluated the clinical application of OSDs in radiotherapy. We measured the calibration factor of OSLDs and used the percent depth dose to verified, also, we created the three point of surface by ten patients of rectal cancer to measured. The calibration factors of OSLD was 1.17 for 6 MV X-ray and 1.28 for 10 MV X-ray, demonstrating the energy dependency of X-ray beams. Comparison of surface dose measurement using the OSLDs and diode detectors with the planned dose from the TPS, The skin dose of patient was increased 1.16 ~ 2.83% for diode detectors, 1.36 ~ 2.17% for OSLDs. Especially, the difference between planned dose and the delivery dose was increased in the perineum, a skin of intense flexure region, and the OSLDs as a result of close spacing of measuring a variate showed a steady dose verification than the diode detecters. Therefore, on behalf of the ionization chamber and diode detecters, OSLDs could be applied clinically in the verification of radiation dose error and in vivo dosimety. The research on the dose verification of the rectal cancer in the around perineal, a surface of intense flexure region, suggest continue to be.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.125-129
• /
• 2005

The first step in the commissioning procedure of a treatment planning system is always verification of the basic beam data. In this work, we have measured POD curves and beam profiles between 1 $\times$ 1 cm$^{2}$ and 40 $\times$ 40 cm$^{2}$ . In an attempt, Pinnacle 7.4f detect discrepancies between predicted dose distribution and delivered dose distribution. The discrepancies between measurement data and caculation data was found. The delivered dose was underestimated in field but overestimated out of field. The D$_{max}$ depth of 1 $\times$ 1 cm$^{2}$ was reduced about 2 mm. For the larger field size ($\geq$4$\times$4 cm$^{2}$, the beam profile and PDD curve showed good agreement between measurement data and calculation data.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.55-64
• /
• 2015

Dose calculations which are a crucial requirement for radiotherapy treatment planning systems require accuracy and rapid calculations. The conventional radiotherapy treatment planning dose algorithms are rapid but lack precision. Monte Carlo methods are time consuming but the most accurate. The new combined system that Monte Carlo methods calculate part of interesting domain and the rest is calculated by neural can calculate the dose distribution rapidly and accurately. The preliminary study showed that neural networks can map functions which contain discontinuous points and inflection points which the dose distributions in inhomogeneous media also have. Performance results between scaled conjugated gradient algorithm and Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm which are used for training the neural network with a different number of neurons were compared. Finally, the dose distributions of homogeneous phantom calculated by a commercialized treatment planning system were used as training data of the neural network. In the case of homogeneous phantom;the mean squared error of percent depth dose was 0.00214. Further works are programmed to develop the neural network model for 3-dimensinal dose calculations in homogeneous phantoms and inhomogeneous phantoms.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.168-173
• /
• 2011

This study investigated characteristics of dose distribution at junction field of X-ray and electron beams according to the method for fabricating the insert block on the electron cone. Insert block were fabricated to the divergency cutout block and the straight cutout block. For the 6 MV X-ray and 10 MeV nominal energy of electron beam, we was adjacent to the light field of X-ray and electron beam at a surface of matrix chamber and measured to beam profile of abutted field in the 0, 1, 2, 3 cm measurement depth. As a result, characteristics of dose distribution at junction field, straight block was existent that over dose area exceed the give dose more than 5% and under dose area with a rapid change in dose distribution. However, divergency block had remarkably decreased the over dose area caused by the lateral scattering effects of decrease, and being existed uniformity dose distribution in the junction field. Therefore, divergency block were the benefits of radiation dose delivery, in order to applied the clinical, measurement of electron beams according to the fabrication method of the block should be considered carefully.