Journal article
Catching errors with patient-specific pretreatment machine log file analysis
Practical Radiation Oncology, Vol.3(2), pp.80-90
04/2013
DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2012.05.002
PMID: 24674309
Abstract
A robust, efficient, and reliable quality assurance (QA) process is highly desired for modern external beam radiation therapy treatments. Here, we report the results of a semiautomatic, pretreatment, patient-specific QA process based on dynamic machine log file analysis clinically implemented for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments delivered by high energy linear accelerators (Varian 2100/2300 EX, Trilogy, iX-D, Varian Medical Systems Inc, Palo Alto, CA). The multileaf collimator machine (MLC) log files are called Dynalog by Varian.
Using an in-house developed computer program called “Dynalog QA,” we automatically compare the beam delivery parameters in the log files that are generated during pretreatment point dose verification measurements, with the treatment plan to determine any discrepancies in IMRT deliveries. Fluence maps are constructed and compared between the delivered and planned beams.
Since clinical introduction in June 2009, 912 machine log file analyses QA were performed by the end of 2010. Among these, 14 errors causing dosimetric deviation were detected and required further investigation and intervention. These errors were the result of human operating mistakes, flawed treatment planning, and data modification during plan file transfer. Minor errors were also reported in 174 other log file analyses, some of which stemmed from false positives and unreliable results; the origins of these are discussed herein.
It has been demonstrated that the machine log file analysis is a robust, efficient, and reliable QA process capable of detecting errors originating from human mistakes, flawed planning, and data transfer problems. The possibility of detecting these errors is low using point and planar dosimetric measurements.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Catching errors with patient-specific pretreatment machine log file analysis
- Creators
- Dharanipathy RangarajMingyao ZhuDeshan YangGeethpriya PalaniswaamySridhar YaddanapudiOmar H WootenScott BrameSasa Mutic
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Practical Radiation Oncology, Vol.3(2), pp.80-90
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.prro.2012.05.002
- PMID
- 24674309
- ISSN
- 1879-8500
- eISSN
- 1879-8519
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/2013
- Academic Unit
- Radiation Oncology
- Record Identifier
- 9984047689702771
Metrics
27 Record Views