Dosimetry of a Small Air Cavity for Clinical Electron Beams: A Monte Carlo Study

Abstract 

This study investigated dosimetric changes in a water phantom when a small air cavity was presented at the central axis of a clinical electron beam. We used 6-, 9-, and 16-MeV electron beams with a 10 × 10 cm² applicator and cutout produced by a Varian 21 EX linear accelerator. Percentage depth doses (PDDs) for different depths (0.5–7 cm), thicknesses (2–10 mm), and widths (1–5 cm) of air cavities were calculated using Monte Carlo simulations (EGSnrc code) validated by film measurements. By comparing PDDs of phantoms with and without the air cavity, it was found that when the depth or thickness of cavity was changed, the PDD curve below the cavity was shifted with a distance equal to the thickness of the cavity. However, when the width of the air cavity was changed, both the PDD curve and its slope within and below the cavity were changed. A larger width of the air cavity resulted in a shallower PDD curve within the cavity. The slope of the PDD curve below the cavity tended towards a value as the width of the air cavity was increased to 3–5 cm for the 6-, 9-, and 16-MeV electron beams. The dependence of the depth dose on the width of the air cavity is a result of the contribution of the electron side scattering in the water surrounding the cavity. The change in depth dose resulting from the presence of an air cavity can cause discrepancies between the calculated and actual dose during radiotherapy, unless the effects of the air cavity are properly characterized during treatment planning. From the dosimetry data in this study, neglecting an air cavity of 1-cm thickness in the build-up region of a 6-MeV electron beam resulted in a delivered dose 10–12% larger than the original prescription. Delivered doses 3% and 6% higher than the prescribed dose were observed when doses were prescribed at R₈₀ for a 16-MeV electron beam. These results were obtained by neglecting air cavities with thicknesses equal to 2 and 4 mm, respectively, at a depth of 5 cm.

Key Words: Monte Carlo simulation, Electron radiotherapy, Dosimetry, Inhomogeneity, Air cavity