Improved heterogeneity handling in the collapsed cone dose engine for brachytherapy
2025

Improved Dose Calculation for Brachytherapy

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Freja Alpsten, Bob van Veelen, Christian Valdes‐Cortez, Francisco Berumen, Anders Ahnesjö, Åsa Carlsson Tedgren

Primary Institution: Karolinska Institutet

Hypothesis

Can the accuracy of the multiple-scatter dose component in the ACE algorithm be improved for non-water geometries?

Conclusion

The updates to the ACE algorithm improved the accuracy of multiple-scatter dose calculation for non-water media without increasing calculation times.

Supporting Evidence

  • The updated algorithm ACEcorr showed improved accuracy in dose calculations for cortical bone compared to the original ACE.
  • ACEcorr reduced the total dose underestimation in cortical bone from -11.7% to -2.2%.
  • The algorithm updates did not affect calculation times.

Takeaway

This study made a computer program better at calculating radiation doses in different materials, especially in bones, without taking longer to do the calculations.

Methodology

The study involved updating the ACE algorithm and testing it against Monte Carlo simulations for different geometries with a 192Ir-source.

Limitations

The study used simplified test cases that may not fully represent complex clinical scenarios.

Statistical Information

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1002/mp.17434

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