Assessment of Patient Set-up Errors using 3D Laser Pointers

Abstract

The most important criterion of patient position in radiotherapy is accuracy and precision in all courses (fractions) of treatment to deliver prescribed treatment dose. The study was performed at Radiation and Isotopes Center of Khartoum. During period of June 2014 to January 2015. The aim of the study was to determine inaccurate of patient positioned using laser. The patient Alignment and position monitoring is carried out by comparing the current laser positions of the markers with those of an initial reference position. Professional radiotherapy technologist were asked to reposition 50 patients carefully using traditional laser centering procedures. The results revealed significant repositioning errors even in highly controlled conditions. Affecting particularly body areas relatively far from the skin reference points used for laser alignment. The results allow the radiotherapy technicians to take suitable countermeasures in case of significant errors (Conventional Set-up is equally (4.87+0.47 mm) for x-direction reading) ,(4.00±0.46 mm) x , and Laser Reading (3.5 ± 0 mm). (Conventional set-up (4.38± 0.19 mm) for y ,(3.73±0.18 mm) y direction , and Laser is ( 3.75 ± 0) . conventional set-up is ( 4.83± 0.34 mm) for z-axis , ( 4 ‫‪3.87 ± 0.36 mm) z direction and Laser is( 3.5 ±0mm ) In addition, the use of the laser beam for‬‬ ‫.‪automatic position control is envisaged‬‬