Machine characterization and central axis depth dose data of a superficial x-ray radiotherapy unit

Objectives. The purpose of this study is to present data from the clinical commissioning of an Xstrahl 150 x-ray unit used for superficial radiotherapy, Methods. Commissioning tasks included vendor acceptance tests, timer reproducibility, linearity and end-effect measurements, half-value layer (HVL) measurements, inverse square law verification, head-leakage measurements, and beam output calibration. In addition, percent depth dose (PDD) curves were determined for different combinations of filter/kV settings and applicators. Automated PDD water phantom scans were performed utilizing four contemporary detectors: a microDiamond detector, a microSilicon detector, an EDGE detector, and a PinPoint ionization chamber. The measured PDD data were compared to the published values in BJR Supplement 25, Results. The x-ray unit’s mechanical, safety, and radiation characteristics were within vendor-stated specifications. Across sixty commissioned x-ray beams, the PDDs determined in water using solid state detectors were in excellent agreement with the BJR 25 data. For the lower (<100 kVp) and medium-energy (≥100 kVp) superficial beams the average agreement was within [−3.6,+0.4]% and [−3.7,+1.4]% range, respectively. For the high-energy superficial (low-energy orthovoltage) x-rays at 150 kVp, the average difference for the largest 20 × 20 cm² collimator was (−0.7 ± 1.0)%, Conclusions. This study presents machine characterization data collected for clinical use of a superficial x-ray unit. Special focus was placed on utilizing contemporary detectors and techniques for the relative PDD measurements using a motorized water phantom. The results in this study confirm that the aggregate values published in the BJR 25 report still serve as a valid benchmark when comparing data from site-specific measurements, or the reference data for clinical utilization without such measurements, Advances in knowledge. This paper presents comprehensive data from the acceptance and commissioning of a modern kilovoltage superficial x-ray radiotherapy machine. Comparisons between the PDD data measured in this study using different detectors and BJR 25 data are highlighted.