Feasibility of using a dose-area product ratio as beam quality specifier for photon beams with small field sizes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of using the ratio of dose-area product at 20 cm and 10 cm water depths (DAPR20,10) as a beam quality specifier for radiotherapy photon beams with field diameter below 2 cm. METHODS: Dose-area product was determined as the integral of absorbed dose to water (Dw) over a surface larger than the beam size. 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams with field diameters from 0.75 cm to 2 cm were considered. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were performed to calculate energy-dependent dosimetric parameters and to study the DAPR20,10 properties. Aspects relevant to DAPR20,10 measurement were explored using large-area plane-parallel ionization chambers with different diameters. RESULTS: DAPR20,10 was nearly independent of field size in line with the small differences among the corresponding mean beam energies. Both MC and experimental results showed a dependence of DAPR20,10 on the measurement setup and the surface over which Dw is integrated. For a given setup, DAPR20,10 values obtained using ionization chambers with different air-cavity diameters agreed with one another within 0.4%, after the application of MC correction factors accounting for effects due to the chamber size. DAPR20,10 differences among the small field sizes were within 1% and sensitivity to the beam energy resulted similar to that of established beam quality specifiers based on the point measurement of Dw. CONCLUSIONS: For a specific measurement setup and integration area, DAPR20,10 proved suitable to specify the beam quality of small photon beams for the selection of energy-dependent dosimetric parameters.

In vivo dosimetry with MOSFETs: dosimetric characterization and first clinical results in intraoperative radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the use of metal oxide silicon field effect transistors (MOSFETs) as in vivo dosimetry detectors during electron beams at high dose-per-pulse intraoperative radiotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The MOSFET system response in terms of reproducibility, energy, dose rate and temperature dependence, dose-linearity from 1 to 25 Gy, angular response, and dose perturbation was analyzed in the 6-9-MeV electron beam energy range produced by an intraoperative radiotherapy-dedicated mobile accelerator. We compared these with the 6- and 9-MeV electron beams produced by a conventional accelerator. MOSFETs were also used in clinical dosimetry. RESULTS: In experimental conditions, the overall uncertainty of the MOSFET response was within 3.5% (+/-SD). The investigated electron energies and the dose rate did not significantly influence the MOSFET calibration factors. The dose perturbation was negligible. In vivo dosimetry results were in accordance with the predicted values within +/-5%. A discordance occurred either for an incorrect position of the dosimeter on the patient or when a great difference existed between the clinical and calibration setup, particularly when performing exit dose measurements. CONCLUSION: Metal oxide silicon field effect transistors are suitable for in vivo dosimetry during intraoperative radiotherapy because their overall uncertainty is comparable to the accuracy required in target dose delivery.