Open AccessConsiderations and adaptions to the modulated arc total body irradiation technique: dosimetry description
Author(s) -
Effeney Beth,
Biggs Jennifer,
Brady Carole,
Pemberton Melanie,
Sim Lucy,
Pullar Andrew
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of medical radiation sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2051-3909
pISSN - 2051-3895
DOI - 10.1002/jmrs.363
Subject(s) - computer science , workflow , process (computing) , scripting language , plan (archaeology) , quality assurance , radiation treatment planning , total body irradiation , systems engineering , software engineering , medical physics , operations management , database , engineering , medicine , programming language , radiation therapy , external quality assessment , surgery , archaeology , chemotherapy , cyclophosphamide , history
Abstract Total body irradiation (TBI) is a complex treatment technique, which has been slow to transition to a three‐dimensional (3D) planning approach. There is limited literature available providing a detailed description on methods to plan TBI on a 3D planning system. 3D planning using the modulated arc TBI (MATBI) technique is a complex process involving a significant number of quality assurance processes and scripts, due to more than 40 treatment beams and two patient positions. This article will focus on the workflow and technical planning aspects of our institution’s MATBI technique and identify reasons for modifications made to the developing institution’s original MATBI approach. Included is a description of specific simulation equipment, detailed explanation of the four‐stage computing process including the role of scripting to standardise and streamline what is otherwise a complex number of steps. The information provided is specific to one centre’s approach but shows the fundamental planning process and demonstrates a streamlined method, which can be adapted to other planning systems. Overall, the ability to accurately represent the TBI technique in 3D on a planning system will be shown.