Journal List > Prog Med Phys > v.32(4) > 1148705

Lim: Design of Multipurpose Phantom for External Audit on Radiotherapy

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to design a multipurpose dose verification phantom for external audits to secure safe and optimal radiation therapy.

Methods

In this study, we used International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) LiF powder thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD), which is generally used in the therapeutic radiation dose assurance project. The newly designed multipurpose phantom (MPP) consists of a container filled with water, a TLD holder, and two water-pressing covers. The size of the phantom was designed to be sufficient (30×30×30 cm3). The water container was filled with water and pressed with the cover for normal incidence to be fixed. The surface of the MPP was devised to maintain the same distance from the source at all times, even in the case of oblique incidence regardless of the water level. The MPP was irradiated with 6, 10, and 15 MV photon beams from Varian Linear Accelerator and measured by a 1.25 cm3 ionization chamber to get the correction factors. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was also used to compare the measurements.

Results

The result obtained by MC had a relatively high uncertainty of 1% at the dosimetry point, but it showed a correction factor value of 1.3% at the 5 cm point. The energy dependence was large at 6 MV and small at 15 MV. Various dosimetric parameters for external audits can be performed within an hour.

Conclusions

The results allow an objective comparison of the quality assurance (QA) of individual hospitals. Therefore, this can be employed for external audits or QA systems in radiation therapy institutions.

Introduction

It is fundamental to ensure the accuracy of the output of the treatment device and the basic quality of the radiation used for treatment, and the treatment method implemented by each treatment institution must be considered. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a program for securing clinical dose that reflects the high-quality treatment methods implemented in domestic medical institutions.
External audit on radiotherapy program is settled in many countries to increase radiotherapy quality. It can be performed by visiting [1-4] participant centers or by mailing [5-11]. Various international organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Radiological Physics Center, and ESTRO-QUALity assurance network (EQUAL), operate mailed dosimetry services [12-14].
The goal of these programs was to check only the output parameters of radiotherapy units. However, accuracy is needed in radiotherapy, and complexity is growing in the treatment process [15,16]. Therefore, the requirement for an effective quality assurance (QA) program has to be emphasized.
The concept of the multipurpose phantom (MPP) designed in this study is to measure various parameters at once for complex radiotherapy audit.

Materials and Methods

1. Parameters to be measured

Referring to the recommendation of ESTRO, AAPM, and routine QA parameters of hospitals, the essential parameters were chosen for radiotherapy audit [15]. The parameters were for 4 to 20 MV photon beams. The MPP was constructed to check on- and off-axis in three irradiation conditions in a vertical and oblique beam setup, as shown in Table 1.

2. Requirements

The phantom was developed under the following conditions. First, the phantom should be water equivalent materials. Second, it should be possible to measure multiple factors at once. Third, all measurements must be completed within an hour. Fourth, it should be simple to set up and easy to use. Fifth, it should be light in weight and convenient to deliver. Sixth, it should be possible to use the thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) previously used by IAEA for postal audit.

3. Thermoluminescence dosimeter

The TLDs used in the IAEA QA program were capsules filled with approximately 155 mg of LiF powder. The capsule was a black polyethylene cylinder of 20 mm inner length, 3 mm inner diameter, and 1 mm wall thickness (Fig. 1) [13]. The MPP designed in this study used 7 or 9 TLDs at a time.

4. Design of multipurpose phantom

The MPP was composed of (a) a water container, (b) a TLD holder, (c) a cover for normal incidence, and (d) a cover for oblique incidence, as shown in Fig. 2. The water container and support rod were made of acrylic, which has a density similar to that of water, and were designed to be filled with water in use to reduce weight during delivery. The AAPM TG-51 protocol recommended the use of water [17]. The size of the phantom was designed to be sufficient (30×30×30 cm3), considering the back and side scatters. The TLD holder was designed to be inserted into the water phantom after the TLDs were applied, making it easy to replace the TLD during measurement. In this study, the ionization chamber can be inserted at the same locations as the TLDs to evaluate the reliability of the MPP. The water container was filled with water and pressed with the cover for normal incidence to be fixed. The surface of the MPP was devised to maintain the same distance from the source at all times, even in the case of oblique incidence regardless of the water level (Fig. 3). Additionally, the covers prevented the water from sloshing due to the movement of the computed tomography (CT) table during the CT scan, and there was no sloshing artifact (Fig. 4). To minimize the attenuation of photon beams, the thickness of the acrylic window of the lid was designed to be the minimum thickness (2 mm) that can withstand the pressure of water.

5. Multipurpose phantom setup and measurement

The locations of the TLDs in the phantom are shown in Fig. 5, where one TLD is located at a depth of 5 cm from the surface, and 5 TLDs are located at a depth of 10 cm to determine the dose, flatness, and symmetry. At a depth of 20 cm, one TLD was used for depth dose, and two TLDs were for heterogeneity measurement. The dimensions of inhomogeneous materials were 3×3×3 cm3, Teflon (2.35 g/cm3), which has a density similar to that of human bone, and cork (0.32 g/cm3), which has a density similar to the lungs, were used, and the TLDs were designed to be inserted. The density of thermoluminescence was 2.65 g/cm3, equivalent to 8 mm depth of water.
When not in use, the two inhomogeneous materials can be pushed to either end. The total number of TLDs required for all measurements was 23 per energy.

6. Correction factors for multipurpose phantom and water phantom

The first method used to evaluate the perturbation at each point in an MPP was a measurement using an ionization chamber in the reference water phantom used to obtain beam data in a treatment institution.
The MPP was irradiated with 6, 10, and 15 MV photon beams from Varian Linear Accelerator and measured by a 1.25 cm3 ionization chamber (PTW) to evaluate the MPP. All energies were measured by an ionization chamber in the same geometric setup as the TLD to compare it with TLD measurements.
First, the doses were measured using the ionization chamber installed in a reference water phantom at the same location where the TLDs were installed in the MPP. Next, the dose was measured using the ionization chamber in 9 locations in the MPP.
To convert the doses measured in the MPP into the dose value measured in the water phantom, the following dose correction factors are defined as follows:
CF=DMPP/DWP
where CF is the correction factor, DMPP is the dose measured by the ionization chamber in MPP, and DWP is the dose measured by the ionization chamber in the reference water phantom.
If the dose measured using the TLD in the MPP is DMPP, the dose in the water phantom, DWP=DMPP/CF, can be obtained.

7. Correction factor for thermoluminescence dosimeter vs. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation

The NRC (National Research Council Canada) has calculated and announced photon spectra from 9 machines. The spectrum presented by the NRC for Varian 6, 10, and 15 MV and Siemens 6 and 10 MV was used in this study.
The MPP was modeled as shown in Fig. 6, and all points were modeled assuming water. MC simulation was performed in Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code System-extended (MCNPX, version 2.4.0), photons and electrons were traced to 1 keV and 100 keV, respectively, and F8 tally, a pulse height tally, was used to calculate energy absorption. In the case of the F8 tally, it can be used as a direct energy absorption because the energy transferred within the volume of the measurement point can be tracked by tracking the movement of particles.

Results

1. Results of correction factor for multipurpose phantom and water phantom

Fig. 6 shows the doses measured in the water phantom and the MPP at 9 points, and Table 2 shows the correction factors obtained using the above equation. The geometrical positions of the ionization chamber in the MPP and the 3D water phantom are the same.
Fig. 7a shows the measured value in the case of normal incident, Fig. 7b shows the measured value in the case of oblique incident, and Fig. 7c shows the measured value in the case of oblique incident with a 30° wedge. In Fig. 7b, positions 2 to 6 are measured values at a depth of 10 cm.
The correction factors obtained from MC simulations are shown in Table 3 and plotted in Fig. 8.

2. Uncertainty of multipurpose phantom for setup and energies

The Type A standard uncertainties were taken from the deviation of TLD measurements based on ionization chamber measurements in MPP. The measurements were repeated 18 for normal and 14 for oblique and wedged incidences. The Type A standard uncertainties of the MPP for each energy and setup are shown in Table 4. The Type A standard uncertainties were calculated as follows:
Uncertainty=SDN
where SD is the standard deviation of the sample and N is the number of samples.

Discussion

Since the values of positions 2 to 6 in Fig. 7b were measured for oblique incidents, they differ depending on the depth reached. However, in Fig. 7c, since the wedge is compensated, it can be seen that the values are almost the same as in Fig. 7a.
The result obtained by MC had a relatively high uncertainty of 1% at the dosimetry point, and it showed a correction factor value of 1.3% at the 5 cm point. This result was similar to that of Mobit et al.’s experiment [18], which agrees within 1.5% between measurements and MC calculations.
The energy dependence was large at 6 MV and small at 15 MV. This is thought to be because the higher the energy of the photon beam, the stronger the penetrating power.

Conclusions

With the MPP developed in this study, the measurement of various dosimetric parameters for external audit can be performed within an hour.
The MPP is not limited to measuring dosimetric data in perpendicular incidence to the water surface but performs additional measurements at oblique incidence and close to clinical cases such as flatness, symmetry, oblique beam, and inhomogeneity without gantry rotations.
According to MC calculation and ionization chamber measurements, the energy correction factor should be considered.
The MPP has been demonstrated to be useful in accessing the overall accuracy of the treatment units by dosimetric checking of photon beams in reference and nonreference conditions and in checking the TPS by verifying the calculated data with the measured data. The MPP developed in this study is considered useful for external audits or QA systems of radiation therapy institutions.

Notes

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Availability of Data and Materials

All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.

References

1. Hoornaert MT, Van Dam J, Vynckier S, Bouiller A. 1993; A dosimetric quality audit of photon beams by the Belgian Hospital Physicist Association. Radiother Oncol. 28:37–43. DOI: 10.1016/0167-8140(93)90183-9.
crossref
2. Nisbet A, Thwaites DI, Sheridan ME. 1998; A dosimetric intercomparison of kilovoltage X-rays, megavoltage photons and electrons in the Republic of Ireland. Radiother Oncol. 48:95–101. DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(98)00041-3.
crossref
3. Nisbet A, Thwaites DI. 1997; A dosimetric intercomparison of electron beams in UK radiotherapy centres. Phys Med Biol. 42:2393–2409. DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/42/12/007. PMID: 9434296.
crossref
4. Choi CH, Kim JI, Park JM, Park YK, Cho KW, Cho WK, et al. 2010; External auditing on absorbed dose using a solid water phantom for domestic radiotherapy facilities. J Korean Soc Ther Radiol Oncol. 28:50–56. DOI: 10.3857/jkstro.2010.28.1.50.
crossref
5. Davis B, Faessler P. 1993; Quality audit of megavoltage radiotherapy units: intercomparison of dose at a reference point using a mailed TL-dosimetry system. Radiother Oncol. 28:79–81. DOI: 10.1016/0167-8140(93)90191-A.
crossref
6. Derreumaux S, Chavaudra J, Bridier A, Rossetti V, Dutreix A. 1995; A European quality assurance network for radiotherapy: dose measurement procedure. Phys Med Biol. 40:1191–1208. DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/40/7/004. PMID: 7568377.
crossref
7. Dutreix A, Derreumaux S, Chavaudra J, van der Schueren E. 1994; Quality control of radiotherapy centres in Europe: beam calibration. Radiother Oncol. 32:256–264. DOI: 10.1016/0167-8140(94)90025-6.
crossref
8. Dutreix A, van der Schueren E, Derreumaux S, Chavaudra J. 1993; Preliminary results of a quality assurance network for radiotherapy centres in Europe. Radiother Oncol. 29:97–101. DOI: 10.1016/0167-8140(93)90232-W.
crossref
9. Hansson U, Johansson KA. 1991; Quality audit of radiotherapy with EORTC mailed in water TL-dosimetry. Radiother Oncol. 20:191–196. DOI: 10.1016/0167-8140(91)90096-Y.
crossref
10. Huntley R, Izewska J. 2000; The 1998 Australian external beam radiotherapy survey and IAEA/WHO TLD postal dose quality audit. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med. 23:21–29.
11. Izewska J, Novotny J, Gwiazdowska B, Kindlova A, Kontra G, van Dam J, et al. 1995; External audit on output calibration for photon beams. Acta Oncol. 34:829–838. DOI: 10.3109/02841869509127193. PMID: 7576752.
12. Ferreira IH, Dutreix A, Bridier A, Chavaudra J, Svensson H. 2000; The ESTRO-QUALity assurance network (EQUAL). Radiother Oncol. 55:273–284. DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(99)00101-2.
crossref
13. Izewska J, Andreo P. 2000; The IAEA/WHO TLD postal programme for radiotherapy hospitals. Radiother Oncol. 54:65–72. DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(99)00164-4.
crossref
14. Svensson H, Hanson GP, Zsdanszky K. 1989. SSDL newsletter. No. 28. The IAEA/WHO TL dosimetry service for radiotherapy centres. 1969-1987. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);Vienna: p. 3–23. DOI: 10.3109/02841869009090030. PMID: 2390272.
15. Swinnen A, Verstraete J, Huyskens D. 2002; The use of a multipurpose phantom for mailed dosimetry checks of therapeutic photon beams: 'OPERA' (operational phantom for external radiotherapy audit). Radiother Oncol. 64:317–326. DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(02)00186-X.
crossref
16. Bridier A, Nyström H, Ferreira I, Gomola I, Huyskens D. 2000; A comparative description of three multipurpose phantoms (MPP) for external audits of photon beams in radiotherapy: the water MPP, the Umeå MPP and the EC MPP. Radiother Oncol. 55:285–293. DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(99)00169-3.
crossref
17. Almond PR, Biggs PJ, Coursey BM, Hanson WF, Huq MS, Nath R, et al. 1999; AAPM's TG-51 protocol for clinical reference dosimetry of high-energy photon and electron beams. Med Phys. 26:1847–1870. DOI: 10.1118/1.598691. PMID: 10505874.
crossref
18. Mobit PN, Mayles P, Nahum AE. 1996; The quality dependence of LiF TLD in megavoltage photon beams: Monte Carlo simulation and experiments. Phys Med Biol. 41:387–398. DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/41/3/004. PMID: 8778821.
crossref

Fig. 1
IAEA capsulated 155 mg of LiF powder TLD (a) the capsule measures 20 mm inner length, 3 mm inner diameter, and 1 mm wall thickness and (b) TLD in TLD holder. IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency; TLD, thermoluminescence dosimeter.
pmp-32-4-122-f1.tif
Fig. 2
Component of the multipurpose phantom. (a) Water container. (b) Thermoluminescence dosimeter holder. (c) Cover for normal incident. (d) Cover for oblique incidence.
pmp-32-4-122-f2.tif
Fig. 3
Water-pressing cover can be selected for (a) normal incidence setup and (b) oblique incidence setup. Regardless of the water level, the source to surface distance is always constant because of the water-pressing cover. Since the two covers are designed to have the same volume when submerged in water, the water level is the same.
pmp-32-4-122-f3.tif
Fig. 4
The multipurpose phantom was designed to allow computed tomography (CT) scans. (a) Sagittal CT image without pressing cover: moving couch-induced slopping of water during helical CT scan causes beat phenomenon in CT image. (b) Sagittal CT image water-pressing cover: water-pressing cover prevents the water from slopping during helical CT scan.
pmp-32-4-122-f4.tif
Fig. 5
Location of TLDs in multipurpose phantom. The numbers from ① to ⑨ indicate the location of the TLD. Location of ① is at 5 cm depth, location of ②–⑥ is at 10 cm depth, and location of ⑦–⑨ is at 20 cm depth, and location of ⑧ and ⑨ is used for inhomogeneity. TLD, thermoluminescence dosimeter.
pmp-32-4-122-f5.tif
Fig. 6
Modeling of multipurpose phantom using MCNPX. (a) Front view. (b) Lateral view.
pmp-32-4-122-f6.tif
Fig. 7
Relative dose of each point measured by ionization chamber. (a) Relative dose for normal incident. (b) Relative dose for oblique incident. (c) Relative dose for oblique incident with a 30° wedge. MPP, multipurpose phantom.
pmp-32-4-122-f7.tif
Fig. 8
Correction factors plotted for each machine and energy.
pmp-32-4-122-f8.tif
Table 1
Beam setup and parameters to be measured
Beam setup Parameter
Square field
- 10×10 cm2 of field size
- Reference depth of 5 cm
Output
Symmetry
Flatness
PDD
Inhomogeneity
Oblique field
- 10×10 cm2 of field size
- 30° rotation of gantry
Profile
PDD
Wedged field
- 30° wedge
- 10×10 cm2 of field size
- 30° rotation of gantry
Wedge factor
Profile
PDD

PDD, percent depth dose.

Table 2
Correction factors obtained from measurements of ionization chamber in MPP and water phantom for normal incidence
Depth (cm) Location number Correction factor (MPP/water phantom)

6 MV 10 MV 15 MV
5 1 0.9888 0.9765 0.9873
10 2 0.9814 0.9715 0.9911
3 0.9925 0.9746 0.9960
4 0.9896 0.9823 0.9853
5 0.9883 0.9754 0.9828
6 0.9767 0.9909 0.9799
20 7 0.9822 0.9828 0.9914
8 0.9895 0.9815 0.9915
9 0.9860 0.9854 0.9885

MPP, multipurpose phantom.

Table 3
Correction factors calculated by MCNPX 2.4.0 at each point
Location number Varian 6 MV Siemens 6 MV Siemens 10 MV Varian 10 MV Varian 15 MV
1 0.9875 0.9874 0.9897 0.9828 0.9904
2 0.9693 0.9702 0.9846 0.9790 0.9779
3 0.9793 0.9783 0.9867 0.9859 0.9809
4 0.9875 0.9912 0.9864 0.9807 0.9834
5 0.9817 0.9697 0.9768 0.9809 0.9711
6 0.9817 0.9683 0.9806 0.9730 0.9729
7 0.9653 0.9679 0.9740 0.9663 0.9683
8 0.9825 0.9796 0.9835 0.9863 0.9785
9 0.9790 0.9839 0.9882 0.9943 0.9878
Table 4
Type A standard uncertainties according to setup and energies
Energy Normal (%) Oblique (%) Wedged (%)
6 MV 0.54 0.66 0.43
10 MV 0.48 0.69 0.43
15 MV 0.54 0.66 0.43
TOOLS
Similar articles