Evaluation of cone-beam computed tomography image quality assurance for Vero4DRT system

Abstract

We report the characteristics of quality assurance (QA) image for Vero4DRT system with a kilo-voltage (kV) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) capability to perform image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). To acquire a set of CBCT, the kV source is rotated either 215° clockwise (CW) (tube 1 from 5° to 220° and tube 2 from 275° to 130°) or counterclockwise (CCW) (tube 1 from 85° to 230° and tube 2 from 355° to 140°). Image geometry, image uniformity, high/low contrast resolutions, and contrast linearity were measured with a Catphan 504 CT phantom (The Phantom Laboratory, NY). The comparison between measured and expected distances shows an excellent agreement. The CBCT for Vero4DRT system cannot perform a full 360° rotation, which leads to a loss in uniformity for image acquisition. Separations were observed for high-contrast resolution, with eight line pairs per centimeter corresponding to a gap size of 0.063[[ce:hsp sp="0.25"/]]cm. For low-contrast resolution, the seventh largest hole was visible. This hole has a 4-mm diameter with 1.0% contrast level. We should check the contrast linearity compared with known value, even though it is out of range from the manufacturer manual.