WE‐PIS‐Exhibit Hall‐01: Tools for TG‐142 Linac Imaging QA II

Abstract

Partners in Solutions is an exciting new program in which AAPM partners with our vendors to present practical “hands‐on” information about the equipment and software systems that we use in our clinics. The therapy topic this year is solutions for TG‐142 recommendations for linear accelerator imaging QA. Note that the sessions are being held in a special purpose room built on the Exhibit Hall Floor, to encourage further interaction with the vendors.Using DoseLab to Perform TG‐142 Imaging QAThe goals of this session will be to present a clinical overview of acquiring images for TG‐142 Imaging QA, as well as analyzing and evaluating results using DoseLab software. DoseLab supports planar imaging QA analysis using almost any QA phantom provided by numerous vendors. General advantages and disadvantages of selecting each of these phantoms will be briefly summarized. Best practices for selecting image acquisition parameters will be presented. A demonstration of using DoseLab software to perform a series of TG‐142 tests will be performed. We will disuss why DoseLab uses its own set of imaging QA formulas, and why imaging QA measurement values of the same nominal properties will vary between TG‐ 142 software packages. Because TG‐142 does not specify baseline and tolerance values for imaging QA, the presentation will recommend performing the manufacturer's acceptance test procedure to validate the equipment is functioning correctly. Afterwards, results can be obtained using the clinic's selected set of phantoms, image acquisition parameters, and TG‐142 software to set proper baseline values. This presentation will highlight the reasons why comparing imaging QA results can be trickier than comparing linear accelerator treatment results and what physicists should keep in mind when comparing imaging QA results for different machines. Physicists are often unsure of the next step when there is an issue discovered during Imaging QA. Therefore, a few common examples of imaging issues and recommended solutions will be discussed.TG‐142 Imaging QA Simplified: Lessons From Diagnostic Physics CollaborationThere are many commercial options for the performance of imaging quality assurance tests for the linear accelerator imaging systems as required by the AAPM TG‐142 report. Imaging quality assurance testing is largely performed by the diagnostic physicist so routine performance of these tests by the practicing oncology physicist can be complicated and confusing given all of the commercially available options. This presentation focuses on the performance of imaging quality assurance testing for linear accelerators using methods similar to that of diagnostic physicists. This presentation will address the ability to perform the required testing without complicated software and explores solutions for the performance of these tests in an efficient manner while still maintaining the ability to ascertain image quality changes that may ultimately affect clinical decisions.