PerFRACTON FAQ External 041317
PerFRACTON FAQ External 041317
QUESTIONS
Patient-Specific Quality Assurance
Contents
Identifying Risks To Patient Safety................................................................................ 2
Log File-Based QA............................................................................................................. 2
EPID-Based PerFRACTION™............................................................................................ 3
Workflow Efficiency........................................................................................................... 5
Practical Concerns............................................................................................................ 5
IT & Setup Considerations............................................................................................... 7
Technical Considerations................................................................................................ 8
References.......................................................................................................................... 9
Frequently Asked Questions
pass stringent TG-142 monthly QA, there can still be large configured to use only WHAT LOG
FILES MISS
log files?
INTRODU
A: Yes. PerFRACTION
es of publ file analy methods. QA are
alone woul ications and sis only can Both meth
d not have clinical case miss signi ods provide
identified s where the ficant error
issues with use of log s. Following
potential file-based are four
impact to patient-sp
treatmen ecific QA
“Mo t.
nitoring daily
WHAT THE
EPID SEES Illustration
of leaf position
process.”
log files. were not EPID position by leaf positio clinically
detected >1mm, and ns can differ observed
using the the actual from their that
CONC LUSION leaf positio therefore cannot actual
MLC positio ns.” Furthe be consid
The author ns r, “Frequent ered to
s noted, “In precondition through indepe verification be
trajectory
logs this study, imaging provid to trust log-file ndent means of
did not detect created during it was found records. Intra-tris a necessary
the deliver that the planned positioes a method to
capture departeatment EPID
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EPID-Based PerFRACTION
Q: Can log files be considered independent? Q: Does PerFRACTION include both 2D and
A: No. Log files cannot be considered independent. 3D functionality?
They accumulate machine interlock encoder data A: Yes, when using EPID data.
defined and recorded by the linac, and they do not
measure the radiation fluence distribution. Q: What is the difference between 2D and 3D
Log files provide great precision (different from analysis functionality in PerFRACTION?
accuracy) and support automation 4,5. However, log A: Both functions are included with PerFRACTION.
files remain a reflection of what the machine “thinks” PerFRACTION 2D (only available when using EPID data)
happened during treatment, and have been shown provides the following:
to be unreliable as the sole source for patient QA,
1. A
utomatic Fraction 0 pre-treatment IMRT QA using
missing many common errors that can be detected
absolute dose (Included in optional Dosimetry
by measurement using EPIDs. In addition, log files
Package)
cannot detect patient related issues. 4,6,7,17
It is important to understand that log file data is 2. A
utomatic capture and 2D comparison of daily
a direct extension of the machine interlocks, and treatment EPID images.
therefore provides no ability to identify critical errors
3. A
utomatic detection of failures related to patient setup,
above and beyond the early warnings and shut-
patient movement, and anatomical issues including
offs already provided by the interlock system of the
weight loss and tumor growth/shrinkage, via transit
treatment unit.
image analysis.
Relying solely on data obtained from the linac control
system or treatment planning system cannot be 4.Automatic email of failed results.
considered independent QA.17 PerFRACTION 3D adds the following:
Q: Can log files detect MLC or dose errors? 1. A
utomatic reconstruction of 3D dose on the patient CT
A: It has been demonstrated that log files can detect (or on daily CBCT with optional Dosimetry Package).
severe MLC errors, but routinely miss critical MLC
2. A
utomatic dose/volume analysis, including Clinical
positioning errors and drift due to a variety of issues,
Goals and 3D gamma results for the total volume and
including T-nut or motor failure, encoder error, or mis-
structure by structure.
calibration. 6,7,17 A 2014 linac manufacturer field safety
notice underscored this point, announcing dose rate 3. A
utomatic Point Dose analysis for composite dose to
errors up to 5% had been missed by the recorded Points of Interest and per-beam calculation points.
monitor chamber units. This error was detected by a
4. A
utomatic email notification summarizing pass/fail
measurement device.8
verification of clinical objectives.
Q: But, aren’t log files easy to analyze?
Q: What planning data is needed by
A: Log files are easy to access and work with.
Recognizing this appeal, and in response to customer
PerFRACTION?
feedback, PerFRACTION can be configured as a A: For 2D Planar Analysis: DICOM RT Plan
calculation (i.e.log file) only-based option. However, For 3D Dose Reconstruction: DICOM RT Plan, RT Dose, RT
ease of use for log file-based analysis should be Structure Set, and CT Image (Planning CT or CBCT).
understood in the context of the inherent limitations
and risks of relying on it alone for pre-treatment and
in-vivo patient QA. It is important to know EPIDs are
easy to work with as well, and include the benefit of
providing independent information. This is why an
increasing number of QA products have focused on
using the EPID to its full potential.
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Technical Considerations
Q: What method does PerFRACTION use to Q: How does PerFRACTION handle beam
analyze 2D results? modeling?
A: Analysis methods for available for 2D (relative and
A: PerFRACTION uses a standard library of beam models
absolute dose) include gamma, percent difference,
covering most commercial linear accelerator energy/
composite evaluation (DTA), gradient compensation, and
MLC configurations. The PerFRACTION beam model
Diff-to-DTA (Sun Nuclear exclusive based on ICRU 83
library uses beam data that is more specific and accurate
Appendix A).
than universal/golden beam data provided by linac
Q: What algorithm does PerFRACTION use to manufacturers.
calculate & evaluate 3D results? Q: Can the beam model be customized for
A: GPU-accelerated collapsed cone convolution/ my machine?
superposition exclusively licensed from Johns Hopkins
A: Sun Nuclear can provide a custom beam model in
University. 3D dose is evaluated using Point Doses, 3D
situations where this is determined necessary.
Gamma, Clinical Goals, Dose Volume Histogram (DVH),
and isodose images. Q: Is EPID drift a concern?
A: PerFRACTION 3D dose reconstruction is immune
Q: How is the EPID calibrated for absolute
to EPID drift or changes in the EPID because the
dose?
proprietary leaf-edge detection algorithm does not rely
A: PerFRACTION generates a calibration RT Plan that is on absolute values from the EPID image. When using the
specific to the linac, MLC, EPID panel, energy, and SID. This EPID for absolute dose analysis in 2D-mode, the EPID
plan can be exported directly to the Record & Verify system requires calibration, the process for which is included in
for delivery. Once images are collected, PerFRACTION PerFRACTION.
automatically retrieves them and compiles the calibration.
Q: By using PerFRACTION frequently, will the
Q: What accuracy studies exist on lifetime of my EPID be reduced significantly?
PerFRACTION? A: Not likely. The shift toward EPID dosimetry over the last
A: There have been several accuracy studies performed on decade has fueled innovation in the design of EPIDs, so
both PerFRACTION 2D10, 12, 13 and 3D results14, 15. These with newer EPIDs radiation lifetime has been improved.
papers have found that PerFRACTION 2D is “sensitive
enough One OEM notified customers that the dose tolerance of
their EPID is 5M cGy (or 50 kGy) in one year. In order to
to detect small positional, angular, and dosimetric errors exceed that number, 195 patients per day would have to
within 0.5mm, 0.2 degrees, and 0.2% respectively,”13 and be treated with the EPID extended for every field for the
that PerFRACTION’s dose calculations are accurate to entire year on one linac. PerFRACTION also allows the use
within 1% of other treatment planning systems.14 of log files and/or intermittent EPID measurements for
Q: How does PerFRACTION handle electron transit/in-vivo dose monitoring as a way to manage EPID
life expectancy.
density corrections?
A: PerFRACTION provides the ability to enter CT-to-
electron (CT-to-ED) density values for CT scanners used
for treatment planning. These CT-to-ED values are
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References
1. C. Bojechko, et al., “A quantification of the effectiveness of EPID dosimetry and software-based plan
verification systems in detecting incidents in radiotherapy,” Med Phys. 42, 5363 (2015)
2. A. Templeton, et al., SU-E-T-273, “Do Task Group External Beam QA Recommendations Guarantee Accurate
Treatment Plan Dose Delivery?,” Med. Phys. 42, 3395 (2015)
3. Automated MOSAIQ processing requires manual export of DICOM files from MOSAIQ to the SNC Machine
DICOM listener.
4. D. Rangaraj, et al., “Catching errors with patient-specific pretreatment machine log file analysis,” Practical
Rad. Onc. 3(2), 80-90 (2013)
5. A. Stell, et al., “An extensive log-file analysis of step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiation therapy segment
delivery errors,” Med. Phys., 31(6), 1593-1602, (2004)
6. J. Monroe and C. Bull, “Study of Dosimetric Leaf Gap and Transmission Factor Variations Affecting Common
Clinical QA Tools,” Med. Phys. 42, 3500 (2015)
7. A. Agnew, et al., “Monitoring daily MLC positional errors using trajectory log files and EPID measurements for
IMRT and VMAT deliveries,” Phys. Med. Biol., 59, N49-63 (2014)
8. V. Tran, “Unexpected 6MV Beam Output Variations,” Urgent Field Safety Notice, CP-12459, Varian Medical
Systems, June 17, 2014, pp 1-3
9. B. Mijnheer, et al., “Current status of 3D EPID-based in vivo dosimetry in The Netherlands Cancer Institute,”
Journal of Phys.: Conf. Series, 573 (2015)
10. S. Dieterich, et al., SU-E-T-133, “Assessing IMRT Treatment Delivery Accuracy and Consistency On a Varian
TrueBeam Using the Sun Nuclear PerFRACTION EPID Dosimetry Software,” Med. Phys. 42, 3362 (2015)
11. A. Mans, et al., “Catching errors with in vivo EPID dosimetry,” Med. Phys., 37, 2638 (2010)
12. SU-E-T-139: Automated Daily EPID Exit Dose Analysis Uncovers Treatment Variations, A Olch, Med. Phys. 42,
3363 (2015)
13. SU-C-BRD-06: Sensitivity Study of An Automated System to Acquire and Analyze EPID Exit Dose Images, A
Olch, Med. Phys. 42, 3193 (2015)
14. Real-time dose computation: GPU-accelerated source modeling and superposition/convolution. Jacques, et
al. Med Phys. 2011 Jan;38(1):294-305.
15. Towards real-time radiotherapy: GPU-accelerated superposition/convolution. Jacques, et al. Comput
Methods Programs Biomed. 2010 Jun;98(3):285-92.
16. J. Smilowitz, et al., “AAPM Medical Physics Practice Guideline 5.a.: Commissioning and QA of Treatment
Planning Dose Calculations – Megavoltage Photon and Electron Beams, ” J. App. Clin. Med. Phys., 16, 5768
(2015)
17. B. Neal, et al., “A clinically observed discrepancy between image-based and log-based MLC positions,” Med.
Phys. 43, 2933 (2016)
18. W. Elmpt, et al., “A literature review of electronic portal imaging
for radiotherapy dosimetry,” Radiotherapy and Oncology 88 (2008) 289–309
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Patient-Specific Quality Assurance
Fraction n 3D mode includes the option of using DoseCHECK calculated dose as a reference
dose (dashed line). DoseCHECK as a pre-treatment secondary check sold separately.
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©2016 Sun Nuclear Corporation. All Rights Reserved. All data used is best available at time of publication. Data is subject to change without notice. PF_ Patient-Specific Quality Assurance _041317