Calculation of Equivalent Square Fields in Radiation Therapy by an Improved Vadash Correction Factor for Collimator Exchange Effects

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the head scatter factor, a formalism presented by Vadash and Bjärngard has been employed to assess collimator exchange effects. The aim of this study was to determine the best Vadash correction factor (A) by introducing a new method based on the output factor measured in air for different square and rectangular fields. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new simple mathematical method based on selection of the best dosimetric data was proposed to obtain the A value for Vadash to predict the equivalent square field size. Measurements were performed with a Farmer chamber 0.6 cc in SSD 100 cm and build up cap of Plexiglas, 1.5 and 3.5 cm equal to water, for 6 and 18 MV, respectively, with a Perimus Plus linear accelerator. The output factor in air (OF(air)) was measured for square and rectangular fields. MATLAB software (version R2014a) was employed for calculations and curve fitting. RESULTS: A power model with a constant value was applied to the output factor in air as a function of square field size. The output factor in air ranged from 0.983 to 1.038 at 6MV and from 0.731 to 1.05 at 18 MV with the Y collimator having a greater effect. Obtained values for A were 1.42 and 1.55 with respect to σ(min)=0.98 and 2.3 for 6 and 18 MV energies, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed A values minimize the collimator exchange effect in calculating equivalent squares, which plays an important role in patient dose calculation and treatment planning.