Which depth dose data should be used for dose planning when wedge filters are used to modify the photon beam?

Tommy Knöös, Lena Wittgren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The use of beam data for open photon fields when calculating absorbed dose distributions for beams with wedge filters has been studied. The depth doses for beams with wedge filters are changed through beam hardening and the dose maximum can be shifted; both these changes result in errors in the final dose calculations of several per cent if open beam data are used. The errors are larger for 6 MV than for 18 MV x-rays. The depth of measurement for determining the wedge factor and the influence of other beam modifying devices are discussed. It is recommended that the reference depth be used instead of the dose maximum for these kinds of measurements since the influence of contaminating electrons in the beam will then be avoided and the wedge factor will be correct at a clinically relevant depth.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)255-267
JournalPhysics in Medicine and Biology
Volume36
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1991

Bibliographical note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: Radiation Physics, Lund (013034000), Emergency medicine/Medicine/Surgery (013240200)

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Radiology and Medical Imaging

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