A study on inter-planner plan quality variability using a manual planning- or Lightning dose optimizer-approach for single brain lesions treated with the Gamma Knife® Icon™

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to investigate inter-planner plan quality variability using a manual forward planning (MFP)- or fast inverse planning (FIP, Lightning)-approach for single brain lesions treated with the Gamma Knife® (GK) Icon™.

METHODS

Thirty patients who were previously treated with GK stereotactic radiosurgery or radiotherapy were selected and divided into three groups (post-operative resection cavity, intact brain metastasis, and vestibular schwannoma [10 patients per group]). Clinical plans for the 30 patients were generated by multiple planners using FIP only (1), a combination of FIP and MFP (12), and MFP only (17). Three planners (Senior, Junior, and Novice) with varying experience levels re-planned the 30 patients using MFP and FIP (two plans per patient) with planning time limit of 60 min. Statistical analysis was performed to compare plan quality metrics (Paddick conformity index, gradient index, number of shots, prescription isodose line, target coverage, beam-on-time (BOT), and organs-at-risk doses) of MFP or FIP plans among three planners and to compare plan quality metrics between each planner's MFP/FIP plans and clinical plans. Variability in FIP parameter settings (BOT, low dose, and target max dose) and in planning time among the planners was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Variations in plan quality metrics of FIP plans among three planners were smaller than those of MFP plans for all three groups. Junior's MFP plans were the most comparable to the clinical plans, whereas Senior's and Novice's MFP plans were superior and inferior, respectively. All three planners' FIP plans were comparable or superior to the clinical plans. Differences in FIP parameter settings among the planners were observed. Planning time was shorter and variations in planning time among the planners were smaller for FIP plans in all three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The FIP approach is less planner dependent and more time-honored than the MFP approach.

Design and manufacturing of a head mask for fixation in stereotactic radiosurgery by the Gamma Knife® Icon™

Background

This study evaluates an alternative to the classical method of head fixation during Gamma Knife radiosurgery using a Leksell head frame. In the Gamma Knife^® Icon™ model, a new method of head fixation is used by utilizing a thermal molded polymer mask that takes the shape of the patient's head before fixing the head to the table. However, this mask is for single use and quite expensive.

Methods

We describe a new, very economical method to fix the head of the patient during radiosurgery. We used commercial, quite cheap material [polylactic acid (PLA)] plastic and made a 3D printing model for the patient's face, taking special measurements to put this mask and fix it on the Gamma Knife. The actual material cost is only $4 (100 times less than the original mask cost).

Results

The new mask efficiency was tested using the movement checker software, the same one used to measure the efficiency of the original mask.

Conclusion

The newly designed and manufactured mask is quite effective for use with the Gamma Knife^® Icon™, with a much lower cost, and it can be manufactured locally.

Filmless quality assurance of a Leksell Gamma Knife® Icon™

PURPOSE

The annual quality assurance (QA) of Leksell Gamma Knife^® (LGK) systems are typically performed using films. Film is a good candidate for small field dosimetry due to its high spatial resolution and availability. However, there are multiple challenges with using film; film does not provide real-time measurement and requires batch-specific calibration. Our findings show that active detector-based QA can simplify the procedure and save time without loss of accuracy.

METHODS

Annual QA tests for a LGK Icon™ system were performed using both film-based and filmless techniques. Output calibration, relative output factors (ROF), radiation profiles, sector uniformity/source counting, and verification of the unit center point (UCP) and radiation focal point (RFP) coincidence tests were performed. Radiochromic films, two ionization chambers, and a synthetic diamond detector were used for the measurements. Results were compared and verified with the treatment planning system (TPS).

RESULTS

The measured dose rate of the LGK Icon was within 0.4% of the TPS value set at the time of commissioning using an ionization chamber. ROF for the 8 and 4-mm collimators were found to be 0.3% and 1.8% different from TPS values using the MicroDiamond detector and 2.6% and 1.9% different for film, respectively. Excellent agreement was found between TPS and measured dose profiles using the MicroDiamond detector which was within 1%/1 mm vs 2%/1 mm for film. Sector uniformity was found to be within 1% for all eight sectors measured using an ionization chamber. Verification of UCP and RFP coincidence using the MicroDiamond detector and pinprick film test was within 0.3 mm at isocenter for both.

CONCLUSION

The annual QA of a LGK Icon was successfully performed by employing filmless techniques. Comparable results were obtained using radiochromic films. Utilizing active detectors instead of films simplifies the QA process and saves time without loss of accuracy.

Impact of the skull contour definition on Leksell Gamma Knife® Icon™ radiosurgery treatment planning

INTRODUCTION

The Gamma Knife^® planning software (TMR 10, Elekta Instruments, AB, Sweden) affords two ways of defining the skull volume, the "historical" one using manual measurements (still perform in some centers) and the new one using image-based skull contours. Our objective was to assess the potential variation of the dose delivery calculation using consecutively in the same patients the two above-mentioned techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included in this self-case-control study, 50 patients, treated with GKRS between July 2016 and January 2017 in Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, distributed among four groups: convexity targets (n = 18), deep-seated targets (n = 13), vestibular schwannomas (n = 11), and trigeminal neuralgias (n = 8). Each planning was performed consecutively with the 2 skull definition techniques. For each treatment, we recorded the beam-on time (min), target volume coverage (%), prescription isodose volume (cm³), and maximal dose (Gy) to the nearest organ at risk if relevant, according to each of the 2 skull definition techniques. The image-based contours were performed using CT scan segmentation, based upon a standardized windowing for all patients.

RESULTS

The median difference in beam-on time between manual measures and image-based contouring was + 0.45 min (IQR; 0.2-0.6) and was statistically significant (p < 0.0001), corresponding to an increase of 1.28% beam-on time per treatment, when using image-based contouring. The target location was not associated with beam-on time variation (p = 0.15). Regarding target volume coverage (p = 0.13), prescription isodose volume (p = 0.2), and maximal dose to organs at risk (p = 0.85), no statistical difference was reported between the two skull contour definition techniques.

CONCLUSION

The beam-on time significantly increased using image-based contouring, resulting in an increase of the total dose delivery per treatment with the new TMR 10 algorithm. Other dosimetric parameters did not differ significantly. This raises the question of other potential impacts. One is potential dose modulation that should be performed as an adjustment to new techniques developments. The second is how this changes the biologically equivalent dose per case, as related to an increased beam on time, delivered dose, etc., and how this potentially changes the radiobiological effects of GKRS in an individual patient.