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Ying, Xiao

Publications and source records attributed to Ying, Xiao.

Comparative dose evaluations between XVI and OBI cone beam CT systems using Gafchromic XRQA2 film and nanoDot optical stimulated luminescence dosimeters

Purpose: To investigate the effect of energy (kVp) and filters (no filter, half Bowtie, and full Bowtie) on the dose response curves of the Gafchromic XRQA2 film and nanoDot optical stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) in CBCT dose fields. To measure surface and internal doses received during x-ray volume imager (XVI) (Version R4.5) and on board imager (OBI) (Version 1.5) CBCT imaging protocols using these two types of dosimeters. Methods: Gafchromic XRQA2 film and nanoDot OSLD dose response curves were generated at different kV imaging settings used by XVI (software version R4.5) and OBI (software version 1.5) CBCT systems. The settings for the XVI system were: 100 kVp/F0 (no filter), 120 kVp/F0, and 120 kVp/F1 (Bowtie filter), and for the OBI system were: 100 kVp/full fan, 125 kVp/full fan, and 125 kVp/half fan. XRQA2 film was calibrated in air to air kerma levels between 0 and 11 cGy and scanned using reflection scanning mode with the Epson Expression 10000 XL flat-bed document scanner. NanoDot OSLDs were calibrated on phantom to surface dose levels between 0 and 14 cGy and read using the inLight{sup TM} MicroStar reader. Both dosimeters were used to measure in field surface and internal doses in a male Alderson Rando Phantom. Results: Dose response curves of XRQA2 film and nanoDot OSLDs at different XVI and OBI CBCT settings were reported. For XVI system, the surface dose ranged between 0.02 cGy in head region during fast head and neck scan and 4.99 cGy in the chest region during symmetry scan. On the other hand, the internal dose ranged between 0.02 cGy in the head region during fast head and neck scan and 3.17 cGy in the chest region during chest M20 scan. The average (internal and external) dose ranged between 0.05 cGy in the head region during fast head and neck scan and 2.41 cGy in the chest region during chest M20 scan. For OBI system, the surface dose ranged between 0.19 cGy in head region during head scan and 4.55 cGy in the pelvis region during spot light scan. However, the internal dose ranged between 0.47 cGy in the head region during head scan and 5.55 cGy in the pelvis region during spot light scan. The average (internal and external) dose ranged between 0.45 cGy in the head region during head scan and 3.59 cGy in the pelvis region during spot light scan. Both Gafchromic XRQA2 film and nanoDot OSLDs gave close estimation of dose (within uncertainties) in many cases. Though, discrepancies of up to 20%-30% were observed in some cases. Conclusions: Dose response curves of Gafchromic XRQA2 film and nanoDot OSLDs indicated that the dose responses of these two dosimeters were different even at the same photon energy when different filters were used. Uncertainty levels of both dosimetry systems were below 6% at doses above 1 cGy. Both dosimetry systems gave almost similar estimation of doses (within uncertainties) in many cases, with exceptions of some cases when the discrepancy was around 20%-30%. New versions of the CBCT systems (investigated in this study) resulted in lower imaging doses compared with doses reported on earlier versions in previous studies.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Dosimetric Verification Using Monte Carlo Calculations for Tissue Heterogeneity-Corrected Conformal Treatment Plans Following RTOG 0813 Dosimetric Criteria for Lung Cancer Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Purpose: The recently activated Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) studies of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) require tissue density heterogeneity correction, where the high and intermediate dose compliance criteria were established based on superposition algorithm dose calculations. The study was aimed at comparing superposition algorithm dose calculations with Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculations for SBRT for NSCLC and to evaluate whether compliance criteria need to be adjusted for MC dose calculations. Methods and Materials: Fifteen RTOG 0236 study sets were used. The planning tumor volumes (PTV) ranged from 10.7 to 117.1 cm{sup 3}. SBRT conformal treatment plans were generated using XiO (CMS Inc.) treatment planning software with superposition algorithm to meet the dosimetric high and intermediate compliance criteria recommended by the RTOG 0813 protocol. Plans were recalculated using the MC algorithm of a Monaco (CMS, Inc.) treatment planning system. Tissue density heterogeneity correction was applied in both calculations. Results: Overall, the dosimetric quantities of the MC calculations have larger magnitudes than those of the superposition calculations. On average, R{sub 100%} (ratio of prescription isodose volume to PTV), R{sub 50%} (ratio of 50% prescription isodose volume to PTV), D{sub 2cm} (maximal dose 2 cm from PTV in any direction as a percentage of prescription dose), and V{sub 20} (percentage of lung receiving dose equal to or larger than 20 Gy) increased by 9%, 12%, 7%, and 18%, respectively. In the superposition plans, 3 cases did not meet criteria for R{sub 50%} or D{sub 2cm}. In the MC-recalculated plans, 8 cases did not meet criteria for R{sub 100%}, R{sub 50%}, or D{sub 2cm}. After reoptimization with MC calculations, 5 cases did not meet the criteria for R{sub 50%} or D{sub 2cm}. Conclusions: Results indicate that the dosimetric criteria, e.g., the criteria for R{sub 50%} recommended by RTOG 0813 protocol, may need to be adjusted when the MC dose calculation algorithm is used.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Measuring pacemaker dose: A clinical perspective

Recently in our clinic, we have seen an increased number of patients presenting with pacemakers and defibrillators. Precautions are taken to develop a treatment plan that minimizes the dose to the pacemaker because of the adverse effects of radiation on the electronics. Here we analyze different dosimeters to determine which is the most accurate in measuring pacemaker or defibrillator dose while at the same time not requiring a significant investment in time to maintain an efficient workflow in the clinic. The dosimeters analyzed here were ion chambers, diodes, metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFETs), and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters. A simple phantom was used to quantify the angular and energy dependence of each dosimeter. Next, 8 patients plans were delivered to a Rando phantom with all the dosimeters located where the pacemaker would be, and the measurements were compared with the predicted dose. A cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image was obtained to determine the dosimeter response in the kilovoltage energy range. In terms of the angular and energy dependence of the dosimeters, the ion chamber and diode were the most stable. For the clinical cases, all the dosimeters match relatively well with the predicted dose, although the ideal dosimeter to use is case dependent. The dosimeters, especially the MOSFETS, tend to be less accurate for the plans, with many lateral beams. Because of their efficiency, we recommend using a MOSFET or a diode to measure the dose. If a discrepancy is observed between the measured and expected dose (especially when the pacemaker to field edge is <10 cm), we recommend analyzing the treatment plan to see whether there are many lateral beams. Follow-up with another dosimeter rather than repeating multiple times with the same type of dosimeter. All dosimeters should be placed after the CBCT has been acquired.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Characteristics of Gafchromic XRQA2 films for kV image dose measurement

Purpose: In this study, the relevant characteristics of the new Gafchromic XRQA2 film for its application in measuring kV cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image doses were thoroughly investigated. Methods: The film was calibrated free in air to air kerma levels between 0 and 9 cGy using 120 kVp photon beams produced by the x-ray volume imager. Films were scanned using transmission and reflection scanning modes with the Epson Expression 10000 XL flat-bed document scanner. The impact of film size, region of interest for the analysis, scan uniformity, scan resolution, scan orientation and alternate scanning sides on the analysis process were investigated. Energy dependence, postirradiation growth of reflectance with time and irradiation angular dependence of the film were tested at different air kerma levels. Results: The net reflectance changed by {approx}3% when the size of the film piece changed from 1 cm x 2 cm to 10 cm x 11 cm and changed by {approx}1% when ROI changed from 0. 7 cm x 0. 7 cm to 8 cm x 8 cm, suggesting a good uniformity of the film. The film was successfully analyzed using the transmission scanning mode, calibration curves from both transmission and reflection scanning modes showed similar behavior. The calibration uncertainty was somewhat lower when the film was scanned using reflection mode (6% and 8% for reflection and transmission modes, respectively.) Higher scanning resolution came with increasing calibration uncertainty. The calibration uncertainty for reflection and transmission modes increased from {approx}3.5% to 7% and from {approx}3.5% to 9%, respectively when scanning resolution was changed from 50 to 400 dpi. Scanning the film on alternate sides using transmission mode led to variation of 16%-19% in the net optical density at doses commonly used for CBCT procedures. The film response changed by almost 10% when it was exposed to beams of two different energies (100 and 120 kVp.) Other features of the film such as film orientation, postexposure growth, and irradiation angular dependence were also investigated. Conclusions: The size of film piece and analysis ROI used for calibration slightly affected the film response. Both transmission and reflection scanning modes can be used to analyze the Gafchromic XRQA2, with the reflection mode having a somewhat lower calibration uncertainty. Scanning films on alternate sides using transmission mode significantly affects the optical density. The film response was shown to be energy dependent. The films reached stability in about 6 h after exposure. The film response was proven to be independent of irradiation angle except when the beam is parallel to the film surface.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗