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Simple quality assurance based on filtered back projection for geometrical/irradiation accuracy in single-isocenter multiple-target stereotactic radiotherapy

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Abstract

In single-isocenter multiple-target stereotactic radiotherapy (SIMT-SRT), it is difficult to evaluate both the geometrical accuracy and absorbed dose measurement when irradiating off-isocenter targets. This study aimed to develop a simple quality assurance (QA) method to evaluate off-isocenter irradiation position accuracy in SIMT-SRT and compare its feasibility with that of a commercial device. First, we created two types of inserts and metallic balls with a diameter of 5 mm to be inserted into a commercially available phantom (SIMT phantom). Second, we developed a dedicated analysis software using Python for the Winston–Lutz test (WLT). Third, an image processing software, including the filtered back-projection algorithm, was developed to analyze the images obtained using an electronic portal imaging device (EPID). Fourth, the feasibility of our method was evaluated by comparing it with the results of WLT using two commercially available phantoms: WL-QA and MultiMet-WL cubes. Notably, 92% of the results in one-dimensional deviations were within 0.26 mm (EPID pixel width). The correlation coefficients were 0.52, 0.92, and 0.96 in the left–right, superior-inferior, and anterior–posterior directions, respectively. In the WLT, a maximum two-dimensional deviation of 0.70 mm was detected in our method, while the deviation in the other method was within 0.5 mm. The advantage of our method is that it can evaluate the geometrical accuracy at any gantry angle during dynamic rotation irradiation using a filtered back-projection algorithm, even if the target is located off the isocenter. Our method can perform WLT at arbitrary positions and is suitable for the QA of dynamic rotation irradiation using an EPID.

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Data availability

The data in this study are stored in our laboratory and will be available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This study was partially supported by JSPS KAKENHI (Grant No. 19K08107 and 22K12852) for carrying out several experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medical Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan

    Naoki Hayashi, Shun Kurata, Yasunori Saito & Keisuke Yasui

  2. Department of Radiology, Kindai University Hospital, Osakasayama, Osaka, Japan

    Shun Kurata

  3. Department of Radiology, Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan

    Yasunori Saito & Shuta Ogawa

Authors
  1. Naoki Hayashi
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  2. Shun Kurata
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  3. Yasunori Saito
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  4. Shuta Ogawa
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Correspondence to Naoki Hayashi.

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This study did not involve human subjects and was not approved by the Institutional Review Board Committee.

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Hayashi, N., Kurata, S., Saito, Y. et al. Simple quality assurance based on filtered back projection for geometrical/irradiation accuracy in single-isocenter multiple-target stereotactic radiotherapy. Radiol Phys Technol 15, 409–416 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12194-022-00683-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12194-022-00683-1

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