A new verification film system for routine quality control of radiation fields: Kodak EC-L.
BACKGROUND
The use of modern irradiation techniques requires better verification films for determining set-up deviations and patient movements during the course of radiation treatment. This is an investigation of the image quality and time requirement of a new verification film system compared to a conventional portal film system.


METHODS
For conventional verifications we used Agfa Curix HT 1000 films which were compared to the new Kodak EC-L film system. 344 Agfa Curix HT 1000 and 381 Kodak EC-L portal films of different tumor sites (prostate, rectum, head and neck) were visually judged on a light box by 2 experienced physicians. Subjective judgement of image quality, masking of films and time requirement were checked.


RESULTS
In this investigation 68% of 175 Kodak EC-L ap/pa-films were judged "good", only 18% were classified "moderate" or "poor" 14%, but only 22% of 173 conventional ap/pa verification films (Agfa Curix HT 1000) were judged to be "good".


CONCLUSIONS
The image quality, detail perception and time required for film inspection of the new Kodak EC-L film system was significantly improved when compared with standard portal films. They could be read more accurately and the detection of set-up deviation was facilitated.
Hermann
A
A
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, University of Würzburg, Germany. hermann@strahlentherapie.uni-wuerzburg.de
Bratengeier
K
K
Priske
A
A
Flentje
M
M
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015588:Observer Variation; D017785:Photons; D011786:Quality Control; D011859:Radiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014962:X-Ray Film / Q000592:standards*