CT-based Monte Carlo simulation tool for dosimetry planning and analysis

被引:172
作者
DeMarco, JJ [1 ]
Solberg, TD [1 ]
Smathers, JB [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Calif Los Angeles, Dept Radiat Oncol, Jonsson Comprehens Canc Ctr, Los Angeles, CA 90024 USA
关键词
Monte Carlo; treatment planning; computed tomography; dosimetry; inhomogeneity;
D O I
10.1118/1.598167
中图分类号
R8 [特种医学]; R445 [影像诊断学];
学科分类号
1002 ; 100207 ; 1009 ;
摘要
The Los Alamos code MCNP4A (Monte Carlo N-Particle version 4A) is currently used to simulate a variety of problems ranging from nuclear reactor analysis to boron neutron capture therapy. A graphical user interface has been developed that automatically sets up the MCNP4A geometry and radiation source requirements for a three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation using computed tomography data. The major drawback for this dosimetry system is the amount of time to obtain a statistically significant answer. A specialized patch file has been developed that optimizes photon particle transport and dose scoring within the standard MCNP4A lattice geometry. The transport modifications produce a performance increase (number of histories per minute) of approximately 4.7 based upon a 6 MV point source centered within a 30 x 30 x 30 cm(3) lattice water phantom and 1 x 1 x 1 mm(3) voxels. The dose scoring modifications produce a performance increase of approximately 470 based upon a tally section of greater than 1 x 10(4) lattice elements and a voxel size of 5 mm(3). Homogeneous and heterogeneous benchmark calculations produce good agreement with measurements using a standard water phantom and a high-and low-density heterogeneity phantom. The dose distribution from a typical mediastinum treatment planning setup is presented for qualitative analysis and comparison versus a conventional treatment planning system. (C) 1998 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.
引用
收藏
页码:1 / 11
页数:11
相关论文
共 42 条
[1]  
ALFIDI RJ, 1975, RADIOLOGY, V124, P199
[2]  
[Anonymous], 1989, TISS SUBST RAD DOS M
[3]  
[Anonymous], 1988, MONTE CARLO TRANSPOR
[4]  
[Anonymous], LA12625 LOS AL NAT L
[5]  
BERGER MJ, 1973, ETRAN MONTE CARLO CO
[6]   ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY NUMBERS AND SPECIFIC-GRAVITY [J].
BROOKS, RA ;
MITCHELL, LG ;
OCONNOR, CM ;
DICHIRO, G .
PHYSICS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY, 1981, 26 (01) :141-147
[7]   AN ELECTRON-DENSITY CALIBRATION PHANTOM FOR CT-BASED TREATMENT PLANNING COMPUTERS [J].
CONSTANTINOU, C ;
HARRINGTON, JC ;
DEWERD, LA .
MEDICAL PHYSICS, 1992, 19 (02) :325-327
[8]   VERIFICATION OF THE MONTE-CARLO CODE MCNP FOR THICK TARGET BREMSSTRAHLUNG CALCULATIONS [J].
DEMARCO, JJ ;
SOLBERG, TD ;
WALLACE, RE ;
SMATHERS, JB .
MEDICAL PHYSICS, 1995, 22 (01) :11-16
[9]   ANGULAR-DISTRIBUTION OF BREMSSTRAHLUNG FROM 15-MEV ELECTRONS INCIDENT ON THICK TARGETS OF BE, AL, AND PB [J].
FADDEGON, BA ;
ROSS, CK ;
ROGERS, DWO .
MEDICAL PHYSICS, 1991, 18 (04) :727-739
[10]  
HALBLIEB JA, 1984, 840573 SAND NAT LAB