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A simple backprojection algorithm for 3D in vivo EPID dosimetry of IMRT treatments
Author(s) -
Wendling Markus,
McDermott Leah N.,
Mans Anton,
Sonke JanJakob,
van Herk Marcel,
Mijnheer Ben J.
Publication year - 2009
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 - 10.1118/1.3148482
Subject(s) - dosimetry , nuclear medicine , radiation treatment planning , image guided radiation therapy , medical imaging , algorithm , radiation therapy , medicine , medical physics , computer science , radiology
Treatment plans are usually designed, optimized, and evaluated based on the total 3D dose distribution, motivating a total 3D dose verification. The purpose of this study was to develop a 2D transmission‐dosimetry method using an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) into a simple 3D method that provides 3D dose information. In the new method, the dose is reconstructed within the patient volume in multiple planes parallel to the EPID for each gantry angle. By summing the 3D dose grids of all beams, the 3D dose distribution for the total treatment fraction is obtained. The algorithm uses patient contours from the planning CT scan but does not include tissue inhomogeneity corrections. The 3D EPID dosimetry method was tested for IMRT fractions of a prostate, a rectum, and a head‐and‐neck cancer patient. Planned and in vivo ‐measured dose distributions were within 2% at the dose prescription point. Within the 50% isodose surface of the prescribed dose, at least 97% of points were in agreement, evaluated with a 3D γ method with criteria of 3% of the prescribed dose and 0.3 cm . Full 3D dose reconstruction on a 0.1 × 0.1 × 0.1cm 3grid and 3D γ evaluation took less than 15 min for one fraction on a standard PC. The method allows in vivo determination of 3D dose‐volume parameters that are common in clinical practice. The authors conclude that their EPID dosimetry method is an accurate and fast tool for in vivo dose verification of IMRT plans in 3D. Their approach is independent of the treatment planning system and provides a practical safety net for radiotherapy.