SU‐F‐T‐320: Assessing Placement Error of Optically Stimulated Luminescent in Vivo Dosimeters Using Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

Purpose:Optically‐stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) are increasingly utilized for in vivo dosimetry of complex radiation delivery techniques such as intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Evaluation of clinical uncertainties such as placement error has not been performed. This work retrospectively investigates the magnitude of placement error using conebeam computed tomography (CBCT) and its effect on measured/planned dose agreement.Methods:Each OSLD was placed at a physicist‐designated location on the patient surface on a weekly basis. The location was given in terms of a gantry angle and two‐dimensional offset from central axis. The OSLDs were placed before daily image guidance. We identified 77 CBCTs from 25 head‐and‐neck patients who received IMRT or VMAT, where OSLDs were visible on the CT image. Grossly misplaced OSLDs were excluded (e.g. wrong laterality). CBCTs were registered with the treatment plan and the distance between the planned and actual OSLD location was calculated in two dimensions in the beam's eye view. Distances were correlated with measured/planned dose percent differences.Results:OSLDs were grossly misplaced for 5 CBCTs (6.4%). For the remaining 72 CBCTs, average placement error was 7.0±6.0 mm. These errors were not correlated with measured/planned dose percent differences (R2=0.0153). Generalizing the dosimetric effect of placement errors may be unreliable.Conclusion:Correct placement of OSLDs for IMRT and VMAT treatments is critical to accurate and precise in vivo dosimetry. Small placement errors could produce large disagreement between measured and planned dose. Further work includes expansion to other treatment sites, examination of planned dose at the actual point of OSLD placement, and the influence of imageguided shifts on measured/planned dose agreement.