Performance evaluation and secondary monitor unit checkout for a dedicated accelerator in intraoperative electron radiotherapy

Publication date: Available online 10 May 2019Source: Radiation Physics and ChemistryAuthor(s): Hamid Reza Baghani, Mostafa Robatjazi, Seyed Rabi MahdaviAbstractQuality assurance in intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT) is a mandatory issue, because of single shot nature. Employed equipment for IOERT implementation, especially the treatment machine, should have a very stable performance for reliable treatment delivery. Calculated MUs is also an important factor which can affect the treatment quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance characteristics of a dedicated accelerator in IOERT as well as a secondary MU check to ensure the validity of employed software for such purpose.The LIAC12 accelerator was considered in this study. The performance characteristics of accelerator including linearity, short term repeatability (STR) and Long term repeatability (LTR) were measured by ionometric dosimetry over a long time period of 48 weeks. LIAC Monitor Unit calculation (LMUCalculation) software is currently used for MU calculations of LIAC in IOERT. The validity of this software was evaluated through development of a secondary MU calculation worksheet and comparing the obtained results by two methods.The results showed that the LIAC accelerator fulfils the desired performance for IOERT. A perfect linear response was observed at different electron energies. The STR and LTR of LIAC response were less than 1% and 4%, respectively, at all of studied electron ene...

Source: Radiation Physics and Chemistry - May 11, 2019 Category: Physics Source Type: research