Use of calculations to validate beam quality and relative dose measurements for a kilovoltage X-ray therapy unit

Relative dosimetry measurements are required to fully commission kilovoltage X-ray units for superficial and orthovoltage X-ray therapy. Validation of these relative dosimetry measurements with Monte Carlo methods is advantageous being independent of the measurement process. In this study use is made of the X-ray spectrum generating program SpekPy along with the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code to calculate depth doses and explore the dosimetry effect of changes in backscatter. These calculations are compared with previously reported measurements for the Pantak SXT 150 X-ray therapy unit. SpekPy can also be used to generate half value layer (HVL) values and these are also compared to previously reported HVL measurements for the same X-ray therapy unit. It was found that agreements of the order of 5% in HVL, 3% in depth dose and 1% in backscatter doses were found between Monte Carlo calculations and the previously published measured data. Exit doses in conditions of lack of full backscatter were explored with Monte Carlo calculations demonstrating reduced exit dose up to 20% in these conditions. It is concluded that SpekPy with Monte Carlo codes such as EGSnrc provides a straightforward approach to validating various relative dosimetry measurements in kilovoltage X-ray dosimetry.