Radiologic validation of a fast neutron multileaf collimator

Teletherapy with high linear energy transfer radiations (LET), perhaps more than with low LET types, requires careful beam collimation to limit effects to normal structures. Intensity modulated techniques may also hold promise in this regard. Accordingly, a remote computer-controlled, high-resolution multileaf collimator (MLC) is placed into service at the Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center's fast neutron therapy center of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan. Prior to clinical application the basic radiological properties of the fast neutron MLC are studied. Complicating the evaluation is the mixed neutron and gamma radiation field environment encountered with fast neutron beams. As a reference the MLC performance is compared to an existing multirod collimator (MRC) used at the facility for more than ten years. The MLC aggregate transmission is found to be about 4%, slightly outperforming the MRC. The measured gamma component for a closed collimator is 1.5 times higher for the MLC, compared with the MRC. The different materials used for attenuation, steel and tungsten, respectively account for the difference. The geometry for the MRC is double focused whereas that for the MLC is single focused. The resulting penumbrae agree between the focused axis of the MLC and both axes of the MRC. Penumbra differences between the focused and unfocused axes were not observable at small field sizes and a maximum of about 1 cm for a 25 x 25 cm2 field at 2.5 cm depth in water. For a 10 x 10 cm2 field the focused penumbra is 9 mm, and the unfocused is 12 mm. The many benefits of the fully automatic MLC over the semimanual MRC are considered to justify this compromise.