加速器运行误差对盆腔肿瘤容积旋转调强放疗计划剂量验证的影响

目的 研究加速器机架旋转角度、机器跳数(MU)、准直器到位和多叶准直器(MLC)叶片到位等误差对容积旋转调强放疗(VMAT)计划剂量验证γ通过率的影响。方法 选取已行VMAT的直肠癌和宫颈癌各10例,分别引入加速器各参数运行误差。通过比较引入误差计划与临床计划的剂量验证γ通过率,分析各参数误差对γ通过率的影响及其敏感性。结果 评价指标取3%/3mm、3%/2mm和2%/2mm时,引入机架旋转误差、机器跳数误差和准直器到位误差后的直肠癌和宫颈癌计划相比临床计划的剂量验证γ通过率变化均<7.0%,引入两侧MLC叶片反向、相向、同向运动误差后,每毫米误差导致绝对剂量验证γ通过率变化分别<19.13%、18.53%、0.19%,19.87%、20.01%、0.42%和23.11%、23.45%、0.65%。结论 执行VMAT计划时,相比机架旋转角度误差、机器跳数误差、准直器到位误差和MLC叶片同向偏移误差,MLC叶片反向或相向运动误差对绝对剂量验证γ通过率的影响更加明显,评价指标取3%/3mm、3%/2mm和2%/2mm时绝对剂量验证γ通过率受加速器各参数误差影响依次递增。执行特定患者剂量验证时,应适当使用评价指标并以绝对剂量验证γ通过率为评估计算和测量剂量分布一致性的参考指标。     

螺旋断层治疗计划系统升级前后验证结果及叶片打开时间对比研究

目的 比较4.0.4、4.2.3版本螺旋断层治疗计划系统叶片打开时间参数和γ通过率差别及改进状况。方法 用4.0.4、4.2.3版本治疗计划系统各选择 345例计划进行回顾性比较。从患者备份计划文件提取出Sinogram并计算叶片打开时间参数进行评估分析,包含最大叶片打开时间、叶片平均打开时间、打开时间<100 ms的叶片数比例、打开时间在最大时间5ms范围内叶片数比例及出束总时间。对升级前后计划的γ通过率(分析标准为3mm/3%、10%Threshold和全局误差)及叶片打开时间参数对比采用独立t检验分析,采用多元线性回归评估叶片打开时间参数与γ通过率之间相关性。结果 4.0.4版本的γ通过率低于4.2.3版本(97.86%∶98.6%,P<0.001),4.2.3版本的最大时间与投影时间的间隔低于4.0.4版本(1 ms∶11ms,P<0.001)。多元线性回归显示4.0.4版本最大打开时间附近5ms范围内的叶片数比例和出束总时间与γ通过率呈显著负相关(P<0.001),而4.2.3版本仅出束总时间与γ通过率呈显著负相关(P<0.001)。结论 螺旋断层治疗系统升级到4.2.3版本后提高了计划验证的γ通过率,且有效修复了旧版系统在最大叶片打开时间附近的叶片可能会导致γ通过率下降的问题。     

基于复杂性评分VMAT计划质量控制

目的 探讨容积调强弧形治疗不同计划系统、不同多叶准直器（MLC）类型和不同治疗部位的计划复杂性差异,提出复杂性评分用于计划质量控制。方法 统计Monaco和Eclipse系统,Agility、M‐MLC和高分辨率MLC,鼻咽癌、肺癌和宫颈癌12个复杂性指标,计算复杂性指标Spearman相关系数,执行主成分分析将原数据集维数降至前两个主成分并解释其物理意义,计算复杂性评分并为计划质控建立容差和干预限值,分析复杂性指标与γ验证通过率相关性。结果 Monaco与Eclipse除射束孔径子区域个数外,其他复杂性指标均有显著性差异,Monaco MLC子野更规则但机器跳数更高、叶片间距更小、运动距离更长,高分辨率MLC由于叶片宽度更窄显著提高MLC形状相关复杂性指标。主成分分析前两个主成分包含原数据集中超过80%的可变性,复杂性评分为前两个主成分加权均值。不同设备和部位复杂性评分不一样,以均值加标准差为容差限值,均值加2倍标准差为干预限值。复杂性特征和复杂性评分与γ通过率相关系数较小,呈弱相关或不相关,却有统计学意义。结论 不同计划系统、MLC类型和治疗部位复杂性指标存在较大差异,复杂性评分为有用质控工具。     

基于复杂性评分VMAT计划质量控制

目的 探讨容积调强弧形治疗不同计划系统、不同多叶准直器（MLC）类型和不同治疗部位的计划复杂性差异,提出复杂性评分用于计划质量控制。方法 统计Monaco和Eclipse系统,Agility、M‐MLC和高分辨率MLC,鼻咽癌、肺癌和宫颈癌12个复杂性指标,计算复杂性指标Spearman相关系数,执行主成分分析将原数据集维数降至前两个主成分并解释其物理意义,计算复杂性评分并为计划质控建立容差和干预限值,分析复杂性指标与γ验证通过率相关性。结果 Monaco与Eclipse除射束孔径子区域个数外,其他复杂性指标均有显著性差异,Monaco MLC子野更规则但机器跳数更高、叶片间距更小、运动距离更长,高分辨率MLC由于叶片宽度更窄显著提高MLC形状相关复杂性指标。主成分分析前两个主成分包含原数据集中超过80%的可变性,复杂性评分为前两个主成分加权均值。不同设备和部位复杂性评分不一样,以均值加标准差为容差限值,均值加2倍标准差为干预限值。复杂性特征和复杂性评分与γ通过率相关系数较小,呈弱相关或不相关,却有统计学意义。结论 不同计划系统、MLC类型和治疗部位复杂性指标存在较大差异,复杂性评分为有用质控工具。     

BJ-6B加速器维修保养回顾分析

目的 研究BJ-6B加速器维修、保养方法.方法 回顾分析2002-2009年BJ-6B加速器故障现象、原因、处理方法记录资料.结果 记录的231次故障中运动控制故障64次(其中手控盒部分故障20次),高压脉冲调制器报故障41次,36次报反峰过荷,5次报充电过荷,均整器故障7次,机械故障21次,数显故障20次.其余故障出现在磁控管灯丝电源、钛泵电源、光学指示系统、剂量监测系统等部位.运动控制故障率最高,其次是高压调制器部分、机械部分.结论 BJ-6B加速器技术比较成熟,故障率较低.为了提高正常开机率,医院应重视物理工程人员培训,提高其业务水平;工程师应熟读图纸,按时检查线路以及机器元部件,根据维修经验提前购置可能要更换的元件.机房湿度、温度必须控制好.随时观察出束时机器相关参数,避免打火对磁控管、加速管等珍贵元件的损害.     

瓦里安直线加速器多叶准直器维修和保养经验

本文系统介绍了瓦里安直线加速器多叶准直器(MLC),按部件详细分析其常见故障的判断及维修方法,以及日常保养内容和具体方法。     

不同三维探测器对鼻咽癌VMAT计划MLC位置误差探测灵敏度的研究

目的 研究鼻咽癌容积旋转调强(VMAT)计划剂量验证中,Delta⁴和ArcCHECK两种三维探测器对多叶准直器(MLC)叶片位置误差检测的灵敏度。方法 选取10例鼻咽癌VMAT计划,对原始文件中每个MLC子野的叶片分别引入0.5~4.0 mm的位置误差,使子野整体扩大、缩小或偏向一侧平移,模拟VMAT治疗中MLC可能出现的位置误差。分别用Delta⁴和ArcCHECK进行验证测量,比较计划系统计算值与测量结果的γ通过率并行配对t检验。结果 当评价标准取3 mm/3%时,两种探测器所有患者的原计划验证绝对剂量γ通过率均>95%,Delta⁴和ArcCHECK可以检测出的MLC外扩、内收以及平移误差分别是1.5、1.0、2.0 mm和3.0、1.0、3.0 mm;而取2 mm/2%评价标准时,患者原计划验证绝对剂量γ通过率有较大幅度下降,此时Delta⁴和ArcCHECK能检出的MLC外扩、内收和平移误差分别是1.0、1.0、2.0 mm和1.5、0.5、2.0 mm。结论 Delta⁴和ArcCHECK鼻咽癌VMAT计划的剂量验证可以检测出不同类型和大小的MLC位置误差,但两者的检测灵敏性略有差异,而对<1.0 mm微小误差的检测都不够敏感,日常工作中仍需加强MLC的质量保证。     

基于EPID和EBT3胶片剂量计对动态MLC叶片到位精度检测研究

目的 建立一种使用EPID和EBT3胶片剂量计进行动态MLC叶片到位精度的快速准确检测方法。方法 美国瓦里安6 MV加速器的固定机架角和准直器角度为0°,共设计11个MLC以滑窗方式运行的射野,每个射野由一组相同宽度的窄条野组成,窄条野的宽度为1~10 mm,窄条野之间的间距为2 cm。使用EPID、EBT3胶片剂量计作为测量工具,刻度设计窄条野宽度(带宽)与测量带宽的半高宽的关系。以同样方式设计一带宽为5 mm射野,并在不同位置设计几处MLC叶片偏差,通过EPID、EBT3分析MLC叶片到位精度。结果 当设计带宽>4 mm时,可很好地线性拟合设计带宽与实测带宽的半高宽。EPID检测带宽、峰值间距、MLC叶片位置的精度分别为±0.2、±0.1、±0.1 mm,EBT3检测的分别为±0.3、±0.2、±0.2 mm。结论 提供了一种使用EPID或EBT3胶片剂量计快速检测MLC实际到位精度的方法,为MLC的QA提供帮助。     

准直器角度优化对胃癌调强放疗计划影响

目的 探讨4种准直器角度优化技术对胃癌调强放疗计划靶区(PTV)及危及器官(OAR)剂量学的影响。方法 选取2015-2016年间武汉大学中南医院接受调强放疗的10例胃癌患者,调强放疗计划均采用常规5个野(330°、10°、45°、90°、180°),其他优化参数一致。在Eclipse计划系统中分别用4种不同的准直器角度优化技术设计调强放疗计划。准直器角度优化技术包括准直器角度设为默认0°(CL0)、与0°垂直的90°(CL90)、采用Eclipse自动角度优化(CLA)以及将准直器角度设为X-Jaws围绕靶区PTV距离最短时的角度(CLX)。主要剂量学参数包括PTV适形指数(CI)、均匀指数(HI)、平均剂量(Dmean)及OAR受量,并且考虑治疗时间(Time)、治疗跳数(MU)、控制点(CP)、分野数(SF)及适形距离(Fx)等参数。结果 以CL0优化为对照,4种准直器角度优化技术PTV的CI、HI及Dmean比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),然而CLX能显著增加靶区PTV的Dmean(P<0.05);CLX优化能够减少肝(V30减少1.54%)、左肾(V12减少1.46%)等受量,但会轻微增加小肠和脊髓的最大剂量(<1%),而CL90与CLA优化会导致增加胃受量。4种不同的准直器角度优化中,CLX优化能够减少MU (减少25.02%)、CP (减少26.03%)、Fx (减少20.27%)及SF (平均减少1.3个分野)。对于Time,CLX相对减少10.03%;CL90与CLA能够减少MU、CP、Fx和SF,且CL90在减少Time方面有一定的优势,而CLA会相对增加Time (增加5.04%)。结论 在胃癌的调强放疗计划中,采用CL90、CLA和CLX 3种准直器角度优化技术能够获得与常规CL0的准直器角度优化相当的剂量分布,且能减少MU,从而减少漏射和照射时间,提高治疗效率。     

新型双能医用直线加速器非均整剂量学特性研究

目的 利用新型双能医用直线加速器(医科达,Versa HDTM),研究6、10 MV能量的FFF和FF光子束剂量学特点,期望找到FFF射束的剂量学特点及优势,为临床应用提供依据。方法比较FFF、FF射束的深度剂量分布,离轴比剂量分布,辐射野大小、半影宽度与野外剂量,准直器散射因子和总散射因子。结果 (1)束流能量匹配后的FFF射束与常规均整射束能量一致,各射野百分深度剂量在10 cm深度区域的匹配误差<1%。(2) FFF射束离轴比剂量分布随深度的变化较小。(3) FFF射束的射野大小、半影宽度均比FF射束的变化小,且FFF射束的射野大小、半影宽度,分别随射野和深度的增加逐渐增大;FFF射束各射野的野外剂量比均整射束更低。(4) FFF射束各射野的准直器散射因子和总散射因子,随射野、深度的变化趋势均比FF射束小。结论 去除均整器后可明显提高剂量率、减少放疗时间、降低机头的漏射和散射,故FFF除均整性外的剂量学优势,可用于临床SRT。     

Clinical implementation of adaptive helical tomotherapy: a unique approach to image-guided intensity modulated radiotherapy

Image-guided IMRT is a revolutionary concept whose clinical implementation is rapidly evolving. Methods of executing beam intensity modulation have included individually designed compensators, static multi-leaf collimators (MLC), dynamic MLC, and sequential (serial) tomotherapy. We have developed helical tomotherapy as an innovative solution to overcome some of the limitations of other IMRT systems. The unique physical design of helical tomotherapy allows the realization of the concepts of adaptive radiotherapy and conformal avoidance. In principle, these advances should improve normal tissue sparing and permit dose reconstruction and verification, thereby allowing significant biologically effective dose escalation. Recent radiobiological findings can be translated into altered fractionation schemes that aim to improve the local control and long-term survival. This strategy is being tested at the University of Wisconsin using helical tomotherapy with its highly precise delivery and verification system along with meticulous and practical forms of immobilization. Innovative techniques such optical guidance, respiratory gating, and ultrasound assessments are being designed and tailored for helical tomotherapy use. The intrinsic capability of helical tomotherapy for megavoltage CT (MVCT) imaging for IMRT image-guidance is being optimized. The unique features of helical tomotherapy might allow implementation of image-guided IMRT that was previously impossible or impractical. Here we review the technological, physical, and radiobiological rationale for the ongoing and upcoming clinical trials that will use image-guided IMRT in the form of helical tomotherapy; and we describe our plans for testing our hypotheses in a rigorous prospective fashion.     

Tomotherapy

Tomotherapy is delivery of intensity-modulated, rotational radiation therapy using a fan-beam delivery. The NOMOS (Sewickley, PA) Peacock system is an example of sequential (or serial) tomotherapy that uses a fast-moving, actuator-driven multileaf collimator attached to a conventional C-arm gantry to modulate the beam intensity. In helical tomotherapy, the patient is continuously translated through a ring gantry as the fan beam rotates. The beam delivery geometry is similar to that of helical computed tomography (CT) and requires the use of slip rings to transmit power and data. A ring gantry provides a stable and accurate platform to perform tomographic verification using an unmodulated megavoltage beam. Moreover, megavoltage tomograms have adequate tissue contrast and resolution to provide setup verification. Assuming only translational and rotational offset errors, it is also possible to determine the offsets directly from tomographic projections, avoiding the time-consuming image reconstruction operation. The offsets can be used to modify the leaf delivery pattern to match the beam to the patient's anatomy on each day of a course of treatment. If tomographic representations of the patient are generated, this information can also be used to perform dose reconstruction. In this way, the actual dose distribution delivered can be superimposed onto the tomographic representation of the patient obtained at the time of treatment. The results can be compared with the planned isodose on the planning CT. This comparison may be used as an accurate basis for adaptive radiotherapy whereby the optimized delivery is modified before subsequent fractions. The verification afforded tomotherapy allows more precise conformal therapy. It also enables conformal avoidance radiotherapy, the complement to conformal therapy, for cases in which the tumor volume is ill-defined, but the locations of sensitive structures are adequately determined. A clinical tomotherapy unit is under construction at the University of Wisconsin.     

Investigations of peripheral dose for helical tomotherapy

PurposeWhenever treating a patient with percutaneous radiotherapy, a certain amount of dose is inevitably delivered to healthy tissue. This is mainly due to beam's entry and exit in the region of the target volume. In regions distant from the target volume, dose is delivered by leakage from the MLC and head scatter from the accelerator head and phantom scatter from the target volume (peripheral dose). Helical tomotherapy is a form of radiation therapy with a uniquely designed machine and delivery pattern which influence the peripheral dose. The goal of this work was to investigate peripheral dose in helical tomotherapy. The experiments were used to establish a complex characterization of the peripheral dose.Materials and methodsA 30*30*60cm³ slab phantom and TLD-100 (Lithium fluoride) were used for the experiments. Treatment procedures were generated with the tomotherapy planning system (TPS). Additionally, procedures were created on the Operator Station of the tomotherapy system without a calculation of the dose distribution. The peripheral dose which was produced by a typical tomotherapy treatment plan was measured. Furthermore, these procedures were used to differentiate the parts of the peripheral dose in phantom scatter dose and head scatter and leakage dose. Additionally, the relation between peripheral dose and treatment time and between peripheral dose and delivered dose was investigated. Additionally, the peripheral dose was measured in an Alderson phantom.ResultsDistances of 30cm or more resulted in a decrease of the peripheral dose to less than 0.1% of the target dose. The measured doses have an offset of approximately 1cGy in comparison to the calculated doses from the TPS. The separated head scatter and leakage dose was measured in the range of 1cGy for typical treatments. Furthermore, the investigations show a linear correlation between head scatter leakage dose and treatment time and between scatter dose parts and delivered dose. A peripheral dose of 0.28% of the target dose was measured in the Alderson phantom at a distance of 17.5cm from the edge of the target volume.ConclusionsThe peripheral dose delivered by a tomotherapy treatment is clinically unobjectionable. The measurements confirmed a linear correlation between head scatter and leakage and treatment time and between scatter dose and delivered dose.     

A method for testing the performance and the accuracy of the binary MLC used in helical tomotherapy

During a helical tomotherapy a binary MLC is used for fluence modulation. The 64 pneumatically driven leaves of the MLC are either completely open or closed. The fast and frequent leaf movements result in a high demand of accuracy and stability of the MLC. This article is based on the analytical investigation of the accuracy and the stability of the MLC.Different patterns of MLC movements were generated to investigate the characteristics of the MLC. One of the considered aspects contains the friction between the leaves. The influence of variations of the compressed air on the MLC was also explored. The integrated MVCT detector of the tomotherapy system deposits the treatment data in a matrix. The detector is triggered with the linear accelerator, which is pulsed by 300Hz. The data matrix is available after the treatment. An IDL (Interactive Data Language) routine was programmed in order to analyse the matrix. The points of time, at which the leaves open (POT), and the period, in which the leaves stay open (LOT), were measured and compared with the desired values. That procedure has been repeated several times a week for approximately 6 months to investigate the stability of the MLC.Relative deviations of the LOT from -0.4% to -5.4% were measured. The friction between the leaves had no significant influence on the LOT. The available compressed air, that is used to move the leaves, depends on the number of moving leaves and also on the previous movements of the MLC. Variations of the compressed air resulted in deviations of the LOT from -1.8% to -3.7%. The measured POT deviates from the programmed POT up to -18.4ms ± 0.7ms. This maximal deviation correlates with a shift of the gantry angle of 0.52? which is negligible.The MLC has shown a stable behaviour over the 6 months. A separate consideration of the leaves showed no higher standard deviation of the LOT than ±0.7ms during the investigated time. The variation between the different leaves is much higher than the deviations of LOT caused by friction and changes of compressed air. The deviations of the LOT vary between -2.6ms and -11.0ms. The developed method is feasible in order to recognize a deterioration of the MLC performance.     

小细胞肺癌全脑预防照射海马回区保护的Ⅱ期临床研究

目的 观察小细胞肺癌全脑预防照射海马回区减量保护的剂量分布、疗效及认知功能。方法 2014-2017年入组肿瘤医院收治的应用螺旋断层治疗技术保护海马回区全脑预防照射的49例小细胞肺癌患者。所有患者在完成标准手术或放化疗后1个月内先行脑部MRI排除脑转移。处方剂量为95% PTV 25 Gy分10次。评价治疗前、治疗后6个月及治疗后1年以上患者的不良反应及认知功能,并分析海马回区剂量分布、生存率及脑转移率。结果 中位随访时间为16个月。海马回区的平均剂量为7.23 Gy,外扩减量区平均剂量为8.46 Gy,较处方剂量分别降低71.88%和66.16%。海马回区最大剂量为10.66 Gy,外扩减量区最大剂量为15.43 Gy。49例患者中8例死亡,1年生存率为85.1%,2年生存率为70.3%。9例(18.3%)患者发生脑转移,其中1例广泛多发脑转移患者(13个转移灶)海马回区附近出现转移。主要的不良反应为轻度头疼、头晕、脑水肿,未发生≥2级不良反应。治疗后6个月HVLT-R评分下降较治疗前明显,治疗后12个月HVLT-R评分平均相对下降6.78%。未发生脑转移的患者治疗后12个月HVLT-R评分与治疗前差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 应用螺旋断层治疗技术保护海马回区全脑预防照射达到了理想的剂量要求,可有效保护患者的认知功能,治疗后患者的不良反应少。     

The utility of megavoltage computed tomography images from a helical tomotherapy system for setup verification purposes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of relatively low-dose megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) images from a clinical helical tomotherapy system for setup verification purposes. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Cross-sectional kilovolt computed tomography (kVCT) images were obtained for treatment planning purposes on a diagnostic third-generation CT scanner, followed by MVCT images from a helical tomotherapy system in 8 pet dogs with spontaneously occurring tumors. The kVCT and MVCT images were aligned for setup verification purposes, allowing repositioning before treatment delivery. RESULTS: Tumors are readily visualized on the MVCT images. At a dose of 2-3 cGy, the MVCT images are of sufficient quality for verification of treatment setup, but soft-tissue contrast is inferior to that with conventional kVCT. The MV and kVCT images were successfully aligned. When necessary, patients undergoing helical tomotherapy were repositioned before treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Megavoltage CT image quality is sufficient for tumor identification and three-dimensional setup verification in dogs with spontaneous tumors. The MVCT images can be aligned with the planning kVCT to ensure proper patient registration before treatment. Image alignment was successful in these canine patients, despite no skin markings defining patient positioning between the two scans. MVCT images facilitate setup verification, and their tomographic nature offers improvements over conventional portal imaging.     

基于螺旋断层治疗的全身皮肤照射体位固定新技术初步观察

目的 初步观察不同体位固定技术在螺旋断层治疗技术下进行全身皮肤照射(TSI)的可行性。方法 对中山大学肿瘤防治中心接受TSI治疗的 3例蕈样霉菌病患者分别采用低温热塑高分子材料俯卧位固定、潜水衣结合负压真空袋仰卧位固定、低温热塑高分子材料结合真空袋仰卧位固定方法,观察固定效果并计算平均摆位误差、靶区适形指数(CI)、靶区均匀性指数(HI)和靶区 Dmean。结果 3种体位固定方式均起到良好固定效果,设计的放疗计划各参数均能达到临床要求。3例患者平均摆位误差在左右、头脚、腹背方向分别为(0.26±3.40)、(-2.63±4.63)、(6.13±4.86)mm,靶区CI为 0.56±0.09、HI为 1.186±0.059、Dmean为(2586.56±63.28)cGy。结论 低温热塑高分子材料或潜水衣都可以联合真空袋进行TSI治疗的体位固定。通过补偿膜剂量建成效应提高表皮剂量达临床要求,为螺旋断层治疗技术进行TSI提供了安全可靠的体位固定方法。     

Megavoltage computed tomography imaging: a potential tool to guide and improve the delivery of thoracic radiation therapy

Helical tomotherapy is an innovative means of delivering intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using a device that merges features of a linear accelerator and a helical computed tomography (CT) scanner. The tomotherapy unit can generate CT images from the megavoltage radiation it uses for treatment as often as needed during a course of radiation therapy. These megavoltage CT (MVCT) images offer verification of patient position prior to and potentially during radiation therapy, and provide considerably more anatomical detail than the conventional radiation therapy port films used for patient set-up verification. Also, MVCT imaging may enable reconstruction of the radiation dose delivered, thereby providing unprecedented verification of the actual treatment. These key features of helical tomotherapy distinguish it from other IMRT approaches. We report results from a pilot feasibility trial of 10 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on whom we obtained MVCT images using a prototype helical tomotherapy system. All patients underwent conventional CT imaging for radiation therapy treatment planning. Specific aims were to subjectively compare MVCT and conventional CT images and then to objectively compare the 2 modalities by contouring tumors and performing a volumetric comparison. Seven patients had disease located primarily in the lung parenchyma, 2 primarily in the mediastinum, and 1 in both. When evaluated by location, all 7 patients with lesions primarily in the lung parenchyma had subjectively high-quality MVCT images. Objectively, the volumetric agreement between conventional and MVCT for parenchymal lesions was excellent in 5 of the 7 patients. Megavoltage CT imaging via the helical tomotherapy prototype provided adequate information for use in verification of patient position and dose reconstruction for lesions within the pulmonary parenchyma, but presently appears suboptimal for primarily mediastinal disease. Further studies are ongoing to optimize MVCT imaging and better define its utility in patients with NSCLC.     

Impact of accelerator operating errors on γ passing rate during dose verification of volumetric modulated arc therapy for pelvic tumors

Objective To investigate the impacts of gantry rotation angle errors, monitor unit (MU) errors, collimator and multi-leaf collimator (MLC) position errors upon the γ passing rate of dose verification in volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Methods Ten patients with rectal cancer and 10 patients with uterine tumors were selected. The operating errors of accelerator parameters were introduced during the VMAT execution. By comparing the γ passing rates during dose verification between the simulating and original plans, the impact and sensitivity of the operating errors of each accelerator parameter on γ passing rate were analyzed. Results When the γ criteria were set as 3%/3mm, 3%/2mm and 2%/2mm, the γ passing rate decreasing gradient was less than 7.0% after the introduction of gantry rotation angle, MU and collimator position errors, respectively. However, after the reverse, opposite, and co-directional motion errors of the MLC blades on both sides were introduced,the γ passing rate decreasing was less than 19.13 %, 18.53%, 0.19 %; 19.87%, 20.01%, 0.42 % and 23.11%, 23.45%,0.65 % for absolute dose verification, respectively. Conclusion During VMAT, the reverse and opposite motion errors of MLC blades exert more significant effect on the γ passing rate compared with the gantry rotation angle errors, MU errors, collimator position errors and co-directional motion errors of the MLC blades. When the γ criteria of 3%/3mm, 3%/2mm and 2%/2mm are adopted, the impact of accelerator operating errors upon the γ passing rate is strengthened in sequence. Therefore, when performing dose verification for a specific patient, appropriate γ criteria should be chosen and absolute dose verification should be taken as the reference index to evaluate the consistency between the calculated and measured dose distribution.