This Article Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Das, I. J. Articles by Tello, V. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Das, I. J. Articles by Tello, V. M.

Dosimetric accuracy at low monitor unit settings

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA 01655, USA ^* Radiological Physics Center-235, M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA

Dosimetric accuracies at low monitor units are evaluated for linear accelerators from various manufacturers. A large error is observed in the majority of the accelerators. The error can be positive or negative. Although the error can exceed 20% for the first few monitor units, it is usually less than 5% when more than 10 monitor units are delivered. When low doses are required proper precautions should be taken for dosimetric accuracy including the beam energy, beam flatness and dose per monitor unit.

Key Words: Dose linearity • Low monitor unit • Accelerator • Dosimetry

Received for publication April 1, 1990. Revision received February 1, 1991.