J Appl Clin Med Phys
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To determine the intra-, inter- and test-retest variability of CT-based texture analysis (CTTA) metrics. ⋯ Following large-scale validation, identification of reliable CTTA metrics can aid in conducting large-scale multicenter CTTA analysis using sample sets acquired using different imaging protocols, scanners etc.
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J Appl Clin Med Phys · Jan 2019
Improvements in treatment planning calculations motivated by tightening IMRT QA tolerances.
Implementing tighter intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) quality assurance (QA) tolerances initially resulted in high numbers of marginal or failing QA results and motivated a number of improvements to our calculational processes. This work details those improvements and their effect on results. One hundred eighty IMRT plans analyzed previously were collected and new gamma criteria were applied and compared to the original results. ⋯ After investigating and improving several elements of the IMRT calculation processes, the frequency of questionable plans was reduced to 11% and that of failing plans to less than 1%. Tighter IMRT QA tolerances revealed the need to improve several elements of our plan calculations. As a consequence, the accuracy of our plans have improved, and the frequency of finding marginal or failing IMRT QA results, remains within our practical ability to respond.
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J Appl Clin Med Phys · Nov 2018
AAPM medical physics practice guideline 10.a.: Scope of practice for clinical medical physics.
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) is a nonprofit professional society whose primary purposes are to advance the science, education, and professional practice of medical physics. The AAPM has more than 8000 members and is the principal organization of medical physicists in the United States. The AAPM will periodically define new practice guidelines for medical physics practice to help advance the science of medical physics and to improve the quality of service to patients throughout the United States. ⋯ Lastly, the AAPM Professional Council believes that this document has benefitted from public comment which is part of the MPPG process but not the AAPM Professional Policy approval process. The following terms are used in the AAPM's MPPGs: Must and Must Not: Used to indicate that adherence to the recommendation is considered necessary to conform to this practice guideline. Should and Should Not: Used to indicate a prudent practice to which exceptions may occasionally be made in appropriate circumstances.
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J Appl Clin Med Phys · May 2018
Reduction of seed motion using a bio-absorbable polymer coating during permanent prostate brachytherapy using a mick applicator technique.
The addition of a braided bio-absorbable vicryl coating to the surface of radioactive seeds used for low dose rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy is intended to reduce the incidence of seed movement and migration. Here, we present a single-institution study of the frequency and severity of seed slippage (initial seed movement) of coated seeds in comparison with uncoated seeds. ⋯ When the vicryl coating is used, seeds have a significantly lower propensity to slip from their initial implant locations. This may help maintain dosimetric integrity, warranting further study of postoperative dosimetry.