Local heterogeneities in early batches of EBT2 film: a suggested solution

To enhance the utility of radiochromic films for high-resolution dosimetry of small and modulated radiotherapy fields, we propose a means to negate the effects of heterogeneities in EBT2 (and other) films. The results of using our simple procedure for evaluating radiation dose in EBT2 film are compared with the results of using the manufacturer's recommended procedure as well as a procedure previously established for evaluating dose in older EBT film. It is shown that Newton's ring-like scanning artefacts can be avoided through the use of a plastic frame, to elevate the film above the scanner's surface. The effects of film heterogeneity can be minimized by evaluating net optical density, pixelwise, as the logarithm of the ratio of the red-channel pixel value in each pixel of each irradiated film to the red-channel pixel value in the same pixel in the same film prior to irradiation. The application of a blue-channel correction was found to result in increased noise. It is recommended that, when using EBT2 film for radiotherapy quality assurance, the films should be scanned before and after irradiation and analysed using the method proposed herein, without the use of the blue-channel correction, in order to produce dose images with minimal film heterogeneity effects.