A comparison of beam characteristics for gated and nongated clinical x-ray beams

Respiratory gating has only recently been applied to conventional external beam radiotherapy. In order for respiratory gating to be used clinically, an evaluation of the dosimetric effects of small units of delivered dose must be performed. The purpose of this study is to systematically evaluate the effect of various gating sequences on x-ray central axis output, ionization ratios (nominal accelerating potential), beam flatness, and beam symmetry. Measurements were taken for 6 and 18 MV photons on a linear accelerator that generates the gate by using a gridded electron gun to stop the electron flow to the wave-guide. The beam output, energy, flatness, and symmetry did not vary by more than 0.8 percent in most of the gating sequences. The maximum output deviations (0.8 percent), flatness deviations (1.9 percent), and symmetry deviations (0.8 percent) occurred when a low number of monitor units (<5 MU) were delivered in the gating window. Although these deviations are not clinically significant, each linear accelerator should be evaluated carefully before clinical implementation.