title: A revision of the gamma-evaluation concept for the comparison of dose distributions.
abstract: A method for the quantitative four-dimensional (4D) evaluation of discrete dose data based on gradient-dependent local acceptance thresholds is presented. The method takes into account the local dose gradients of a reference distribution for critical appraisal of misalignment and collimation errors. These contribute to the maximum tolerable dose error at each evaluation point to which the local dose differences between comparison and reference data are compared. As shown, the presented concept is analogous to the gamma-concept of Low et al (1998a Med. Phys. 25 656-61) if extended to (3+1) dimensions. The pointwise dose comparisons of the reformulated concept are easier to perform and speed up the evaluation process considerably, especially for fine-grid evaluations of 3D dose distributions. The occurrences of false negative indications due to the discrete nature of the data are reduced with the method. The presented method was applied to film-measured, clinical data and compared with gamma-evaluations. 4D and 3D evaluations were performed. Comparisons prove that 4D evaluations have to be given priority, especially if complex treatment situations are verified, e.g., non-coplanar beam configurations.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Physik, Universitätsklinik für Radioonkologie Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. aebakai@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakai
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alber
authors.forename: Fridtjof
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nüsslin
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D001822:Body Burden; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008954:Models, Biological; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity