title: Selection of techniques for orthovoltage radiation therapy.
abstract: Selection of appropriate orthovoltage radiation techniques (peak kilovoltage plus total filtration) may be based on the following factors: (a) central axis percent depth dose, (b) exposure rate, (c) sensitivity of backscatter factor to size of a blocked field, (d) differential bone energy absorption, (e) penumbra characteristics, and (f) field uniformity. An analysis of these factors as a function of beam quality (i.e. half-value layer) has been performed and a recommendation of a minimal number of techniques (consistent with widely available techniques) is presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic/Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: McCullough
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012542:Scattering, Radiation