A modified power-law formula for inhomogeneity corrections in beams of high-energy x rays.
The Batho power-law formula is in common use in many treatment planning systems to correct for the presence of lungs and other inhomogeneities. While giving excellent agreement with measurement for Cobalt-60 radiation, it tends to underestimate the lung correction required for higher energy x rays and is undefined for distances beyond an interface less than the buildup distance. This paper suggests a simple modification that greatly improves the agreement with measured data and gives a continuously defined function at all depths. Measurements have been made in a polystyrene and cork phantom to simulate the effects of lung; data are presented for beams of 8-MV x rays, 16-MV x rays, and Cobalt-60 gamma rays.
Medical Physics Department, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
S J
SJ
Thomas
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000379:methods*; D014965:X-Rays
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes