Evaluation of dose delivery based on a comparison of dosimetry calculations using open beam and wedged beam depth dose data

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the magnitude of the error in dose delivery caused by the use of open beam depth dose data in dosimetry calculations for wedged photon beams. Isodose pians were calculated for treatments given in a 3-field isocentric prostate or rectal setup using an open AP beam with two lateral wedged beams. The dose distributions were first calculated using open beam depth dose data for all three fields. Next, the open beam data was used only for the AP field and true wedged beam depth dose data was substituted for the two lateral wedged fields. The magnitude of the depth dose variations for wedged vs open beams depends on the nominal beam energy, the wedge angle, and the depth of measurement. Consequently, isodose distributions calculated for wedged fields were found to be different when true wedged beam depth dose data was used instead of open beam data as is commonly done. Monitor unit calculations using a field size specific wedge factor show that dose delivery errors up to 4% can result from the use of open beam depth dose data in wedged beam dose distribution calculations for a 6-MV photon beam. Accurate treatment planning for wedged fields requires the use of wedged beam depth dose data specific to each wedge. Simply using open beam depth dose data in dose calculations for wedged beams will result in dose delivery errors, the magnitude of which depends on the combination of wedge angle, field size, and nominal beam energy.