The effect of fluorescence on surface dose with superficial X-rays incident on tissue with underlying lead.

An Advanced Markus chamber on the surface of solid water phantom was used to determine surface dose reduction, with either a lead or air interface, as a function of surface-interface separation (t). The beam quality dependence of dose reduction was investigated using the 50 kV, 100 kV and 150 kV beams of an Xstrahl 150 superficial X-ray unit. For each beam the dose correction factor, DCF(t), namely the ratio of surface dose (t) to surface dose (t = 100 mm), was determined. Monte Carlo simulations of DCF(t) with a lead interface were compared with corresponding measured values. Simulated spectra were calculated at the phantom surface for full backscatter (t = 100 mm) and with either a lead or air interface at 2 mm or 8 mm depth. For each depth and beam quality lead fluorescent radiation at the surface was evident. The variation of DCF(t) for each beam and field size exhibits a minima at t ≈ 5 mm and in the range 1 mm ≤ t ≤ 40 mm surface dose reduction is larger for 100 kV than 150 kV. Monte Carlo simulated DCF(t) are consistent with corresponding measured DCF(t). From simulated spectra L-series fluorescent X-rays (≈ 15 keV) emanating from lead at t = 2 mm are evident for all beams and fluorescent K-series X-rays only occur with 100 kV and 150 kV beams.

Radiological properties of 3D printed materials in kilovoltage and megavoltage photon beams.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the radiological properties of different 3D printing materials for a range of photon energies, including kV and MV CT imaging and MV radiotherapy beams. METHODS: The CT values of a number of materials were measured on an Aquilion One CT scanner at 80kVp, 120kVp and a Tomotherapy Hi Art MVCT imaging beam. Attenuation of the materials in a 6MV radiotherapy beam was investigated. RESULTS: Plastic filaments printed with various infill densities have CT values of -743±4, -580±1 and -113±3 in 120kVp CT images which approximate the CT values of low-density lung, high-density lung and soft tissue respectively. Metal-infused plastic filaments printed with a 90% infill density have CT values of 658±1 and 739±6 in MVCT images which approximate the attenuation of cortical bone. The effective relative electron density REDeff is used to describe the attenuation of a megavoltage treatment beam, taking into account effects relating to the atomic number and mass density of the material. Plastic filaments printed with a 90% infill density have REDeff values of 1.02±0.03 and 0.94±0.02 which approximate the relative electron density RED of soft tissue. Printed resins have REDeff values of 1.11±0.03 and 1.09±0.03 which approximate the RED of bone mineral. CONCLUSIONS: 3D printers can model a variety of body tissues which can be used to create phantoms useful for both imaging and dosimetric studies.

Contrast enhancement of EPID images via difference imaging: a feasibility study.

In this study, the feasibility of difference imaging for improving the contrast of electronic portal imaging device (EPID) images is investigated. The difference imaging technique consists of the acquisition of two EPID images (with and without the placement of an additional layer of attenuating medium on the surface of the EPID) and the subtraction of one of these images from the other. The resulting difference image shows improved contrast, compared to a standard EPID image, since it is generated by lower-energy photons. Results of this study show that, firstly, this method can produce images exhibiting greater contrast than is seen in standard megavoltage EPID images and secondly, the optimal thickness of attenuating material for producing a maximum contrast enhancement may vary with phantom thickness and composition. Further studies of the possibilities and limitations of the difference imaging technique, and the physics behind it, are therefore recommended.