Optimized scoring of end-to-end dosimetry audits for passive motion management - A simulation study using the IROC thorax phantom

Abstract

Dosimetry audits for passive motion management require dynamically-acquired measurements in a moving phantom to be compared to statically calculated planned doses. This study aimed to characterise the relationship between planning and delivery errors, and the measured dose in the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) thorax phantom, to assess different audit scoring approaches. Treatment plans were created using a 4DCT scan of the IROC phantom, equipped with film and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). Plans were created on the average intensity projection from all bins. Three levels of aperture complexity were explored: dynamic conformal arcs (DCAT), low-, and high-complexity volumetric modulated arcs (VMATLo, VMATHi). Simulated-measured doses were generated by modelling motion using isocenter shifts. Various errors were introduced including incorrect setup position and target delineation. Simulated-measured film doses were scored using gamma analysis and compared within specific regions of interest (ROIs) as well as the entire film plane. Positional offsets were estimated based on isodoses on the film planes, and point doses within TLD contours were compared. Motion-induced differences between planned and simulated-measured doses were evident even without introduced errors Gamma passing rates within target-centred ROIs correlated well with error-induced dose differences, while whole film passing rates did not. Isodose-based setup position measurements demonstrated high sensitivity to errors. Simulated point doses at TLD locations yielded erratic responses to introduced errors. ROI gamma analysis demonstrated enhanced sensitivity to simulated errors compared to whole film analysis. Gamma results may be further contextualized by other metrics such as setup position or maximum gamma.

Keywords: Dosimetry audit; Gamma analysis; Motion management.