Title :
Effect of CT Image-Based Voxel Size On Monte Carlo Dose Calculation
Author :
Wu Ai-dong ; Wu Yi-can ; Tao Sheng-xiang ; Zhang Jiang-hui
Author_Institution :
Inst. of Plasma Phys., Chinese Acad. of Sci., Hefei
Abstract :
Currently, the conventional empirical or semi-empirical dose calculation algorithms for radiation treatment planning system have been selected as dose engines. The accuracy of these dose calculation algorithms is limited. The main problem is that they fail to adequately consider the lateral transport of radiation or loss of electronic equilibrium near interface between two heterogeneous mediums. Monte Carlo method provides a kind of precise and general solution to photon and electron dose calculation problem, but the puzzle of the longer CPU time affects its clinical application finally. The Monte Carlo code system (EGSnrc) has been used to investigate the different voxel sizes effect on the accuracy of dose distributions and computing time in the present paper. Based on a patient head and neck CT data case studied, it may be concluded that less than 4 mm voxels should be used for Monte Carlo dose calculations to insure the superior accuracy of dose distribution, higher image resolution and shorter CPU time
Keywords :
Monte Carlo methods; codes; computerised tomography; dosimetry; CT image-based voxel size; Monte Carlo code system EGSnrc; Monte Carlo dose calculation; electron dose calculation; high image resolution; patient head CT data; patient neck CT data; photon dose calculation; radiation treatment planning system; short CPU time; Accuracy; Bones; Computational modeling; Computed tomography; Distributed computing; Electrons; Engines; Monte Carlo methods; Neck; Nuclear and plasma sciences; CT; calculation; dose; image Monte Carlo; size; voxel;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2005. IEEE-EMBS 2005. 27th Annual International Conference of the
Conference_Location :
Shanghai
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-8741-4
DOI :
10.1109/IEMBS.2005.1615975
