Determination of Dose Distributions by Monte-Carlo Simulation of 6 MV Photon Beam of Varian VitalBeam Accelerator Using Geant4 Multithreaded Code.

Background: Accuracy of dose delivery in radiation therapy is a primary requirement for effective cancer treatment. In practice, dose delivery accuracy of ±5% is desired. To achieve this accuracy level, an accurate method for calculating the dose distributions in the tumor volume is required. Monte-Carlo method is one of the methods considered to be the most accurate for calculating dose distributions. Materials and Methods: G4 linac-MT code was used to simulate a 6 MV photon beam. The initial electron beam parameters were tuned to validate the beam modeling from depth doses and beam profile. The dose distributions measured in water phantom were compared to the calculated dose distributions based on gamma index criterion. Results: The beam tuning showed the initial electron energy, sigma and full width at half maximum of 6.2 MeV, 0.8 MeV, and 1.18 mm, respectively, best match the measured dose distributions. The gamma index tests showed the calculated depth doses and beam profile were generally comparable with measurements, passing the standard acceptance criterion of 2%/2 mm. The simulated photon beam was justified by the index of beam quality, which showed excellent agreement with measured doses with a discrepancy of 0.1%. Conclusion: The observed agreement confirm the accuracy of the simulated 6 MV photon beam. It can therefore be used as radiation source for calculating dose distributions and further investigations aimed at improving dose delivery and planning in cancer patients.

Investigation of the origin of scatter components transmitted through anti-scatter grids in X-ray Digital Imaging system using Monte Carlo Simulation.

Background: Projection diagnostic X-ray images are inherently affected by the masking effects of transmitted scatter. Spatially distributed transmitted scatter degrades image quality engendering need for effective scatter correction protocol. Objectives: To investigate origin of scatter components transmitted through anti-scatter grids to the detector of digital radiography system using Monte Carlo simulation. Methods: Over 107 photons were exposed through the reconstructed MC simulation phantom. Transmitted photons (primary and scatter) were scored as fluence, dose and deposited energy. Scatter components were investigated analytically over varying phantom thickness, tube kV and grid characteristics. Test disks were exposed as ROI embedded in phantom to evaluate the potential contrast improvement in image quality with the proposed technique. Results: Simulated and experimental results were comparable and in agreement with literature. SPR and SF mean values of 10.5, 0.314 and 7.96, 0.242 through grids of ratio 10:1 and 16:1 respectively was observed. Analysis of scatter components generation in object, grid's assembly, and fluorescent yields gave mean values of 0.815, 0.167 and 0.017, respectively. Image contrast was observed to increase with tube voltage and grid ratio. Conclusion: Achieving better image contrast, reduced patient dose and low scatter transmission while maintaining superior image quality, using grids with high grid ratio and selectivity is recommended.