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Variation in calculated effective source-surface distances with depth

P M Ostwald1, T Kron

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Waratah, NSW, Australia.

Physics in Medicine and Biology
|October 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary
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Effective source-surface distances (ESSD) vary with depth in electron beams. This impacts dose calculations, especially for high-energy beams and small fields, necessitating measured data comparison.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Physics
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Dosimetry

Background:

  • Accurate dose calculation in radiation therapy relies on precise source-surface distance (SSD) determination.
  • Effective source-surface distance (ESSD) is a critical parameter for electron beam dosimetry.
  • Variations in ESSD with depth and beam parameters can affect treatment planning accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the variation of effective source-surface distances (ESSD) with depth in electron beams.
  • To assess the impact of beam energy, field size, and applicator use on ESSD.
  • To evaluate the accuracy of ESSD at the depth of maximum dose (Dmax) for therapeutic calculations.

Main Methods:

  • Dose measurements were performed using a parallel-plate ion chamber in solid water.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measurements covered electron beam energies from 4-20 MeV and SSDs ranging from 100-130 cm.
  • ESSD was calculated at various depths, including surface, Dmax, and near the practical range (Rp).

    • Main Results:

    • ESSD was found to vary significantly with depth, increasing to a maximum around 0.3Rp-0.6Rp and then decreasing.
    • Surface ESSD ranged from 68 cm (4 MeV) to 82 cm (16 MeV) and was higher without an applicator.
    • For a 20 MeV beam (6x6 cm2 field), the difference between surface and maximum ESSD was 31 cm.

    Conclusions:

    • ESSD calculated at Dmax can be reasonably accurate for therapeutic dose calculations.
    • Deviations may occur at larger SSDs or with high-energy beams in small fields.
    • Measured depth-dose distributions are recommended for validation under specific conditions.