title: An Investigation into the Robustness of Optical-CT Dosimetry of a Radiochromic Dosimeter Compatible with the RPC Head-and-Neck Phantom.
abstract: The potential of the PRESAGE™/Optical-CT system as a comprehensive 3D dosimetry tool has been demonstrated. The current study focused on detailed characterization of robustness (intra-dosimeter uniformity and temporal stability) and reproducibility (inter-dosimeter reproducibility) of PRESAGE™ inserts compatible with the RPC H&N phantom. In addition, the accuracy and precision of PRESAGE dose measurement was also evaluated. Four identical PRESAGE™ dosimeters (10cm diameter and 7cm height cylinders) were irradiated with the same rotationally symmetric treatment plan using a Varian accelerator. The treatment plan was designed to rigorously evaluate robustness and reproducibility for multiple dose levels and in 3D. All dosimeters were scanned by optical-CT at daily intervals to study temporal stability. Dose comparisons were made between PRESAGE, ECLIPSE, and independent measurement with EBT film at a select depth. The use of improved optics and acquisition technique yielded substantially higher quality 3D dosimetry data from PRESAGE than has been achieved previously (noise reduced to ~1%, accuracy to within 3%). Data analysis showed excellent intra-dosimeter uniformity, temporal stability and inter-dosimeter reproducibility of relative radiochromic response. In general, the PRESAGE™ dose-distribution was found to agree better with EBT (~99% pass rate) than with ECLIPSE calculations (~92% pass rate) especially in penumbral regions for a 3% dose-difference and 3 mm distance-to-agreement evaluation criteria. The results demonstrate excellent robustness and reproducibility of the PRESAGE™ for relative 3D-dosimetry and represent a significant step towards incorporation in the RadOnc-clinic (e.g. integration with RPC phantom).
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology Physics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sakhalkar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adamovics
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ibbott
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oldham
references.citation: Med Phys. 2006 May;33(5):1338-45
references.pmid: 16752569
references.citation: Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2006;120(1-4):107-12
references.pmid: 16782984
references.citation: Med Phys. 2006 Oct;33(10):3962-72
references.pmid: 17089858