title: CUSTOMISATION OF A MONTE CARLO DOSIMETRY TOOL FOR DENTAL CONE-BEAM CT SYSTEMS.
abstract: A versatile EGSnrc Monte Carlo (MC) framework, initially designed to explicitly simulate X-ray tubes and record the output data into phase space data files, was modified towards dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) dosimetric applications by introducing equivalent sources. Half value layer (HVL) measurements were conducted to specify protocol-specific energy spectra. Air kerma measurements were carried out with an ionisation chamber positioned against the X-ray tube to obtain the total filtration attenuation characteristics. The framework is applicable to bowtie and non-bowtie inherent filtrations, and it accounts for the anode heel effect and the total filtration of the tube housing. The code was adjusted to the Promax 3D Max (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland) dental CBCT scanner. For each clinical protocol, calibration factors were produced to allow absolute MC dose calculations. The framework was validated by comparing MC calculated doses and measured doses in a cylindrical water phantom. Validation results demonstrate the reliability of the framework for dental CBCT dosimetry purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Campus St. Raphael, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Leuven 3000, Belgium andreas.stratis@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stratis
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals of Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Campus St. Raphael, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lopez-Rendon
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Campus St. Raphael, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals of Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bogaerts
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Pathology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Campus St. Raphael, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Leuven 3000, Belgium University Hospitals of Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bosmans
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software