title: An equivalent squares template.
abstract: A template for calculating equivalent squares of irregularly shaped fields is described. Calculations using the template are essentially scatter summations. Comparisons with a computer program showed good agreement in equivalent squares and tumor doses (within 0.8%). Comparisons with area-perimeter ratio methods of computing equivalent squares showed consistently better accuracy using the template. For highly irregular fields, the template calculation required 3-10 min for central axis computation, comparable to that required by the other manual methods.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*