Monte Carlo simulation of the Leksell Gamma Knife®: I. Source modelling and calculations in homogeneous media

Vadim Moskvin, Colleen DesRosiers, Lech Papiez, Robert Timmerman, Marcus Randall, Paul DesRosiers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Monte Carlo code PENELOPE has been used to simulate photon flux from the Leksell Gamma Knife®, a precision method for treating intracranial lesions. Radiation from a single 60Co assembly traversing the collimator system was simulated, and phase space distributions at the output surface of the helmet for photons and electrons were calculated. The characteristics describing the emitted final beam were used to build a two-stage Monte Carlo simulation of irradiation of a target. A dose field inside a standard spherical polystyrene phantom, usually used for Gamma Knife® dosimetry, has been computed and compared with experimental results, with calculations performed by other authors with the use of the EGS4 Monte Carlo code, and data provided by the treatment planning system Gamma Plan®. Good agreement was found between these data and results of simulations in homogeneous media. Owing to this established accuracy, PENELOPE is suitable for simulating problems relevant to stereotactic radiosurgery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1995-2011
Number of pages17
JournalPhysics in Medicine and Biology
Volume47
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 21 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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