Commissioning a miniature multileaf collimator for small field radiotherapy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine dosimetric data for the Siemens ModuLeaf miniature multileaf collimator. Acquiring accurate data for small fields requires careful evaluation of different measurement techniques and dosimeters. Output factors were measured using several different detectors. Comparing these results demonstrated the relative under-response of the devices as the field size approaches the active area of the detector. Measurements obtained with a diamond detector, radiographic film, 0.125 cm(3) cylindrical and advanced Markus ionization chambers agreed (within 0.7%) down to a field size of 2 x 2 cm. For smaller field sizes, only the diamond detector and the film agreed within their relative uncertainties. Head scatter factors were measured in brass and Perspex miniphantoms using the cylindrical chamber positioned at the isocenter, and in the Perspex miniphantom at extended distances. For field sizes of less than 3 x 3 cm, only the measurements with the brass miniphantom at the isocenter and the Perspex miniphantom at extended distances agreed (within 0.8%). The effect on the miniphantom measurements of using a low scatter support stand was also quantified. Beam profiles were measured using radiographic film. An unexpected artifact was found in these images because of increased backscatter from white lines inscribed and painted on the phantom. Percentage depth doses (PDDs) measured with and without the ModuLeaf attached agreed for all field sizes down to 3 x 3 cm. Below this field size, tissue maximum ratios (TMRs) were measured using an advanced Markus chamber. The 3 x 3 cm ModuLeaf TMR data agreed with the non-ModuLeaf PDD data within their relative uncertainties. This study investigated the use of several different measurement methods from which accurate dosimetric parameters can be obtained without the need to acquire specialist detectors.