Reference dosimetry in MRI-linacs: evaluation of available protocols and data to establish a code of practice.

Reference dosimetry in MRI-linacs: evaluation of available protocols and data to establish a code of practice.
Phys Med Biol. 2020 Jun 22;:
Authors: de Pooter JA, Billas I, de Prez LA, Duane S, Kapsch RP, Karger C, van Asselen B, Wolthaus JWH
Abstract
With the rapid increase in clinical treatments with MRI-linacs, a consistent, harmonized and sustainable ground for reference dosimetry in MRI-linacs is needed. Specific for reference dosimetry in MRI-linacs is the presence of a strong magnetic field. Therefore, existing Code of Practices (CoPs) are inadequate. In recent years, a vast amount of papers has been published in relation to this topic. The purpose of this review paper is twofold: to give an overview and evaluate the existing literature for reference dosimetry in MRI-linacs and to discuss whether this literature and datasets are adequate and complete to serve as basis for the development of a new or to extend existing CoPs. This review is prefaced with an overview of existing MRI-linac facilities. Then an introduction on the physics of radiation transport in magnetic fields is given. The main part of the review is devoted to the evaluation of the literature with respect to the following subjects: • beam characteristics of MRI-linac facilities; • formalisms for reference dosimetry in MRI-linacs; • characteristics of ionization chambers in the presence of magnetic fields; • ionization chamber beam quality correction fact...

Source: Physics in Medicine and Biology - June 21, 2020 Category: Physics Authors: de Pooter JA, Billas I, de Prez LA, Duane S, Kapsch RP, Karger C, van Asselen B, Wolthaus JWH Tags: Phys Med Biol Source Type: research