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Radiation Oncology
Published in: Radiation Oncology 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research

Dosimetric evaluation of Acuros XB Advanced Dose Calculation algorithm in heterogeneous media

Authors: Antonella Fogliata, Giorgia Nicolini, Alessandro Clivio, Eugenio Vanetti, Luca Cozzi

Published in: Radiation Oncology | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

A study was realised to evaluate and determine relative figures of merit of a new algorithm for photon dose calculation when applied to inhomogeneous media.

Methods

The new Acuros XB algorithm implemented in the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system was compared against a Monte Carlo method (VMC++), and the Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA). The study was carried out in virtual phantoms characterized by simple geometrical structures. An insert of different material and density was included in a phantom built of skeletal-muscle and HU = 0 (setting "A"): Normal Lung (lung, 0.198 g/cm3); Light Lung (lung, 0.035 g/cm3); Bone (bone, 1.798 g/cm3); another phantom (setting "B") was built of adipose material and including thin layers of bone (1.85 g/cm3), adipose (0.92 g/cm3), cartilage (1.4745 g/cm3), air (0.0012 g/cm3). Investigations were performed for 6 and 15 MV photon beams, and for a large (13 × 13 cm2) and a small (2.8 × 13 cm2) field.

Results

Results are provided in terms of depth dose curves, transverse profiles and Gamma analysis (3 mm/3% and 2 mm/2% distance to agreement/dose difference criteria) in planes parallel to the beam central axis; Monte Carlo simulations were assumed as reference. Acuros XB gave an average gamma agreement, with a 3 mm/3% criteria, of 100%, 86% and 100% for Normal Lung, Light Lung and Bone settings, respectively, and dose to medium calculations. The same figures were 86%, 11% and 100% for AAA, where only dose rescaled to water calculations are possible.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Acuros XB algorithm provides a valid and accurate alternative to Monte Carlo calculations for heterogeneity management.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Dosimetric evaluation of Acuros XB Advanced Dose Calculation algorithm in heterogeneous media
Authors
Antonella Fogliata
Giorgia Nicolini
Alessandro Clivio
Eugenio Vanetti
Luca Cozzi
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Radiation Oncology / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1748-717X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-717X-6-82

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