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A Monte Carlo investigation of the accuracy of intensity modulated radiotherapy
Author(s) -
Spezi Emiliano
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.1644512
Subject(s) - monte carlo method , dosimetry , computer science , radiation treatment planning , intensity modulation , medical physics , radiation therapy , nuclear medicine , physics , medicine , mathematics , optics , statistics , radiology , phase modulation , phase noise
The research work contained in this manuscript relates to the accurate calculation of the dose delivered to patients during intensity modulated radiation therapy and focuses primarily on radiotherapy of the head and neck. However, the methods utilized herein are applicable to other clinical sites. This investigation aims to address the need to develop more accurate modeling of three‐dimensional dose distributions in patients, arising from the use of intensity modulated beams. This work has been carried out by using and developing computational techniques, primarily Monte Carlo simulation codes, specifically designed for medical applications. The accurate simulation of radiation sources, beam modulators, patient irradiation, and dosimetric verification systems has been successfully accomplished. Computations, calibrated in terms of absolute dose were extensively verified versus dosimetric data. Calculated and measured dose profiles agreed within 2% for open fields and 3% for modulated fields. The developed MC model for the generation of IMRT fluence maps was found to be accurate at the 2%/2 mm level when compared to portal dosimetry data. The retrospective application of the developed techniques to a number of clinically relevant cases has also been explored. A number of methods for the analysis, comparison, and verification of three‐dimensional dose distributions have been suggested and implemented. The system developed in this work and presented in the form of a comprehensive computational toolbox has been proven to be robust and accurate for Monte Carlo dose calculations for the verification of intensity modulated radiotherapy plans.