control checks and scheduling for megavoltage machines
6] and IPEM81 [5]. Both documents provide guidance for checks to be conducted on a monthly to 12-monthly frequency. The IEC document does not specify weekly checks. An estimate of…
radiotherapy technology
The radiotherapy technology The previous section demonstrates the need for quality control across the radiotherapy process. The purpose and extent of the quality control for each technological device utilized throughout…
radiotherapy process
The radiotherapy process Quality control has a role throughout the entire radiotherapy process due to the significant technology that each aspect relies upon. The purpose of quality control in each…
long-term and immediate monitoring
Short-term, long-term and immediate monitoring Constantly monitoring a parameter demonstrates performance up until the point at which it is considered that unacceptable performance has been detected. Hence, the data collected…
and catastrophes
Maintenance and catastrophes It is important to bear in mind that not all aspects of equipment performance can be maintained. Catastrophes are inevitable and these are usually exhibited by component…
in the treatment of thyroid disease
4–6] from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) in the UK, as well as from Europe and the USA for using radioiodine in the management of hyperthyroidism and of thyroid…
ionization chamber
Figure 3.5. The cap is generally made of a low atomic number low-density material such as graphite, although various plastic materials have been used where the plastic has been manufactured…
emission tomography scanners
Figure 6.3) are designed specifically for radionuclides that decay by positron emission. Scintillator crystals with high stopping power are utilized, examples are bismuth germanate (BGO) and lutetium orthosilicate (LSO). These…
Introduction
Table 1.1). The atomic nucleus therefore occupies a minute fraction (10−10 %) of the atomic volume, yet contains more than 99.9% of the atom’s mass. Electrons and protons each carry…
position and dose
Safety, position and dose There are two aspects to dose delivery. First, the physical amount of dose and, secondly, is it in the correct position. Both aspects are significant and,…
