[Quality assurance of a virtual simulation software: application to IMAgo and SIMAgo (ISOgray)].
OBJECTIVE
Virtual simulation process is often used to prepare three dimensional conformal radiation therapy treatments. As the quality of the treatment is widely dependent on this step, it is mandatory to perform extensive controls on this software before clinical use. The tests presented in this work have been carried out on the treatment planning system ISOgray (DOSIsoft), including the delineation module IMAgo and the virtual simulation module SIMAgo.


METHODS
According to our experience, the most relevant controls of international protocols have been selected. These tests mainly focused on measuring and delineation tools, virtual simulation functionalities, and have been performed with three phantoms: the Quasar Multi-Purpose Body Phantom, the Quasar MLC Beam Geometry Phantom (Modus Medical Devices Inc.) and a phantom developed at Hospital Tenon.


RESULTS
No major issues have been identified while performing the tests. These controls have emphasized the necessity for the user to consider with a critical eye the results displayed by a virtual simulation software. The contrast of visualisation, the slice thickness, the calculation and display mode of 3D structures used by the software are many factors of uncertainties.


CONCLUSIONS
A virtual simulation software quality assurance procedure has been written and applied on a set of CT images. Similar tests have to be performed periodically and at minimum at each change of major version.
Isambert
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A
Service de physique médicale, institut Gustave-Roussy, 39, rue Camille-Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif cedex, France. isambert@igr.fr
Beaudré
A
A
Ferreira
I
I
Lefkopoulos
D
D
D003198:Computer Simulation; D005602:France; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D012984:Software