Publicaties

Purpose: Selecting a Monte Carlo (MC) radiation transport code and nuclear physics model affects the simulation of secondary neutron fluence energy spectra and the estimation of the neutron dose equivalent in proton therapy. This study compares the MC codes FLUKA, MCNPX and GEANT4 from previous work with two additional MC codes, TOPAS (with either the Binary Intra-nuclear Cascade (BIC) or the Bertini intra-nuclear cascade model (Bert)) and PHITS ...

Background: In 2021, a Technical Meeting was hosted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) where it was recommended that a standardized method for assessing the accuracy of film dose calculations should be established. Purpose: To design an audit that evaluates the accuracy of film dosimetry processes. To propose a framework for identifying out-of-tolerance results and to perform an international pilot study to test the audit design. ...

Background Plane-parallel ionization chambers are the recommended secondary standard systems for clinical reference dosimetry of electrons. Dosimetry in high dose rate and dose-per-pulse (DPP) is challenging as ionization chambers are subject to ion recombination, especially when dose rate and/or DPP is increased beyond the range of conventional radiotherapy. The lack of universally accepted models for correction of ion recombination in UDHR is ...

Background and purpose: A dosimetry audit program based on alanine electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and radiochromic film dosimetry, may be a valuable tool for monitoring and improving the quality of lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). The aim of this study was to report the initial, independent assessment of the dosimetric accuracy for lung SBRT practice using these dosimeters in combination with a novel phantom design. Materials ...

Background and purpose: In radiotherapy, the image quality of four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) is often degraded by artifacts resulting from breathing irregularities. Quality assurance mostly employ simplistic phantoms, not fully representing complexities and dynamics in patients. 3D-printing allows for design of highly customized phantoms. This study aims to validate the proof-of-concept of a realistic dynamic thorax phantom and its ...

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop and validate a Monte Carlo (MC) model for the Papillon + contact x-ray brachytherapy (CXB) device, producing 50 kilovolt (kV) X-rays, specifically focusing on its application with a 25 mm diameter rectal applicator for contact therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The validation process involved depth dose and transverse dose profile measurements using EBT3 gafchromic films positioned in a plastic water low energy ...

Quality control of therapeutic photon beams in the form of postal dose audits based on passive dosemeters is widely used in photon radiotherapy. On the other hand, no standardised dosimetry audit programme for proton centres has been established in Europe so far. We evaluated alanine/EPR dosimetry systems developed at the Istituto Superiore di Sanita (Italy), the Hasselt Universiteit (Belgium) and the Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear ...

For Eclipse users only TGI correlated with the dosimetry audit data, where a higher TGI gave poorer QA results (see Figure 2). The Pearson correlation coefficients of alanine and film dose vs TGI were r = 0.491 and 0.564 respectively. Conclusion In general, the complexity of benchmark and audit plans was found to be comparable, with no statistically significant difference in complexity observed for 4 of the 5 CMs evaluated. MDLG was ...

Radiation therapy (RT) is an essential treatment modality for cancer care and cure. Over the years, radiation treatments have become more complex and more computerized leading to highly precise treatment approaches maximising loco-regional control while minimizing toxicity. Safe and effective radiotherapy delivery however requires the implementation of adapted quality assurance (QA) programs and integral quality management (QM) systems, ...

For Eclipse users only TGI correlated with the dosimetry audit data, where a higher TGI gave poorer QA results (see Figure 2). The Pearson correlation coefficients of alanine and film dose vs TGI were r = 0.491 and 0.564 respectively. Conclusion In general, the complexity of benchmark and audit plans was found to be comparable, with no statistically significant difference in complexity observed for 4 of the 5 CMs evaluated. MDLG was ...