title: Independent corroboration of monitor unit calculations performed by a 3D computerized planning system.
abstract: The checking of monitor unit calculations is recognized as a vital component of quality assurance in radiotherapy. Using straightforward but detailed computer-based verification calculations it is possible to achieve a precision of 1% when compared with a three-dimensional (3D) treatment planning system monitor unit calculation. The method is sufficiently sensitive to identify significant errors and is consistent with current recommendations on the magnitude of uncertainties in clinical dosimetry. Moreover, the approach is accurate in the sense of being highly consistent with the validated 3D treatment planning system's calculations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre, 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, P3E 5J1, Canada. kleszczynski@neorcc.on.ca
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Leszczynski
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Dunscombe
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D011786:Quality Control; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D012015:Reference Standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity