Purpose: Small radiation fields (<30 mm) are typically involved in stereotactic body radiation therapy procedures. Output factor measurements are subjected to large uncertainties. The signal ratio (SR) readings, defined as the ratio of central axis reading, respectively, in the actual field size and in the reference field size, were evaluated in several centers and a common mathematical description of the SR curve was investigated.
Methods: A couple of new unshielded stereotactic diodes (Razor, IBA) was tested under eight different TrueBeams using 10 MV flattering filter free beams with high dose rate (2400 MU/min). Small fields, ranging from 6 to 50 mm, were analyzed in terms of profiles and central axis point measurements. SRs were normalized to 30 mm field and were calculated as a function of nominal field size (NFS) and effective field size (EFS). From SRs acquired using Razor1 (four centers), a theoretical equation was extrapolated. Three centers with Razor2 were used to test the mathematical relationship. Finally, the two diodes were directly compared in the last center.
Results: The EFS was systematically smaller than NFS (p < 0.01) for all field size ranges, with mean difference of 0.9 ± 0.5 mm. The SR fits using the NFS and EFS had, respectively, R2 = 0.989 and R2 ≫ 0.999. The Razor2 centers' mean deviation from the predicted SRs, using the NFS and EFS fits, was, respectively, 3.4% and 0.5%. The maximum deviations were 5.0% (6 mm field size) for NFS and 1.9% for EFS. Maximum deviation of 0.5% between the two Razors was observed.
Conclusions: EFS measurements were confirmed to be mandatory when comparing SRs over different centers. An equation establishing a functional relation between SRs and the EFS was obtained and tested for the new Razor diode.