Quality assurance of RapidArc in clinical practice using portal dosimetry

Quality assurance data from five centres were analysed to assess the reliability of RapidArc radiotherapy delivery in terms of machine and dosimetric performance.

A large group of patients was treated with RapidArc radiotherapy and treatment data recorded. Machine quality assurance was performed according to Ling et al (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2008;72:575-81). In addition, treatment to a typical clinical case was delivered biweekly as a constancy check. Pre-treatment dosimetric validation of plan delivery was performed for each patient. All measurements and computations were performed at the depth of the maximum dose in water according to the GLAaS method using electronic portal imaging device measurements. Evaluation was carried out according to a gamma agreement index (GAI, the percentage of field area passing the test); the threshold dose difference was 3% and the threshold distance to agreement was 3 mm.

A total of 275 patients (395 arcs) were included in the study. Mean delivery parameters were 31.0±20.0° (collimator angle), 4.7±0.5° s(-1) (gantry speed), 343±134 MU min(-1) (dose rate) and 1.6±1.4 min (beam-on time) for prescription doses ranging from 1.8 to 16.7 Gy/fraction. Mean deviations from the baseline dose rate and gantry speed ranged from -0.61% to 1.75%. Mean deviations from the baseline for leaf speed variation ranged from -0.73% to 0.41%. The mean GAI of repeated clinical fields was 99.2±0.2%. GAI varied from 84.7% to 100%; the mean across all patients was 97.1±2.4%.

RapidArc can provide a reliable and accurate delivery of radiotherapy for a variety of clinical conditions.