Abstract
Characteristics of a small-animal radiotherapy device, the X-RAD SmART, are described following commissioning of the device for pre-clinical radiotherapy research. Performance characteristics were assessed using published standards and compared with previous results published for similar systems. Operational radiation safety was established. Device X-ray beam quality and output dose-rate were found to be consistent with those reported for similar devices. Output steadily declined over 18 months though remained within tolerance levels. There is considerable variation in output factor across the international installations for the smallest field size (varying by more than 30% for 2.5 mm diameter fields). Measured depth dose and profile data was mostly consistent with that published, with some differences in penumbrae and generally reduced flatness. Target localisation is achieved with an imaging panel and with automatic corrections for panel flex and device mechanical instability, targeting within 0.2 mm is achievable. The small-animal image-guided radiotherapy platform has been implemented and assessed and found to perform as specified. The combination of kV energy and high spatial precision make it suitable for replicating clinical dose distributions at the small-animal scale, though dosimetric uncertainties for the narrowest fields need to be acknowledged.
Highlights
It is problematic to evaluate alterations to radiotherapy treatments, including in combination with new drugs, on human populations
The aim of this study was to report on the commissioning and performance characteristics of the first dedicated pre-clinical image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) system in Australasia
The results from this study indicate the performance characteristics of the X-RAD device installed at the TKI
Summary
It is problematic to evaluate alterations to radiotherapy treatments, including in combination with new drugs, on human populations. Over the last two decades, significant advances in radiotherapy technology have enabled increasingly sophisticated methods for treatment planning, delivery and imaging to be implemented into routine radiation oncology practice [2,3,4]. Several groups have developed small animal (3D) image-guided radiotherapy devices, which allow precise irradiation of structures in small animals [2, 5, 6], bridging the gap between preclinical and clinical radiotherapy technology. The commissioning of kV small field devices is lacking published data [4]. The photon energy investigated ranged between 5 and 380 keV, with field sizes ranging from 0.5 mm to 20 mm diameter.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
