Validation of a new grid Boltzmann equation solver, Acuros, for dose calculation

Dose Calculation Algorithms used in

TPS

Treatment Planning Systems (TPS)

Depth Dose(PDD), Tissue Air Ratio (TAR)

Simple dose calculation- Percentage

Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) Anisotropic Analytic Algorithms (AAA),

Collapsed Cone Convolution (CCC)

Monte Carlo (MC), Acuros XB (AXB)

AAA
Analytical photon dose calculation
algorithm based on a pencil beam convolution technique

PBC -It is point oriented and thus faster than a full 3-D convolution algorithm and uses the same physical data base to characterize a clinical beam as a full 3-D convolution algorithm. It is shown that photon therapy beams can be characterized with great accuracy from a combination of precalculated Monte Carlo energy deposition kernels and dose distributions measured in a water phantom

Acuros XB algorithms
Linear Boltzmann Transport Equation
Solvers, similar to the classic MC methods, for accurate modeling of dose deposition in heterogenous media.

Linear Blotzmann Transport Equation

Linear Boltzmann Transport Equation

After many manipulation of the equation

through solving boundary equations,using Scalar flux and busbridge theorem of source iteration, we can approximate I

RapidArc Stereotactic Treatments for small fields

a volumetric arc therapy that delivers

3D dose distribution with a single 360 rotation of LINAC gantry

Made possible by the rotation speed of

the gantry, movement of the MLCs and the delivery dose rate

Impact on RapidArc
RapidArc plan Calculations repeated for
both algorithms, AAA and Acuros XB, for all spot size configurations

The aim is to see if Acuros XB is

comparable to AAA in RapidArc for small fields

 Modelling point of view, photon source

is not a point source, might not be fully visible from the point of measurement, partially occluded by the collimating system

Why small fields?

fields might be small compared to the

maximum lateral range of secondary electrons, consequently having a strong dependence of computed and delivery dose on compositio and density of irridiated media

Results
Best agreement with measurement for Acuros XB was spot size 1mm

Comparison between measurements of Acuros XB and AAA for various test fields of spot size 1mm

Greatest dose difference when AXB spot size is 0.0-1.0 mm

 fixed spot size to 1mm, varying only

DLG (dosimetric leaf gap)

Impact on RapidArc

blurring effect observed when

lowering DLG

Discussions
2 main challenges in small field
management, measurement and accuracy;implementation of dose calculation in algorithms

first challenge solved by using

equipment with higher sensitivity

second challenge- by proper modelling

of spot size

Reports acceptable Acuros XB and AAA show

characteristics for stereotactic small fields provided adequate tuning of configuration parameters is performed

Both algorithms can be considered

safely applicable for stereotactic treatments with field sizes greater than 1 to 2 cm per side

For extremely small targets, jaw

settings might be kept above threshold and shelding and modulation generated by MLC only

Further possible research routes

Instead of using a homogenous slab
phantom, use a heterogenous slab phantom ( lung, head & neck) and voxelize the domain for small fields ( Vassiliev et al)

Comparison of accuracy of AAA and

AcurosXB in hetereogenous phantom