Abstract
BACKGROUND: Electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) are applied to measure the dose and verify patients' position. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the performance of EPID for measuring dosimetric parameters in small photon fields. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the output factors and beam profiles were obtained using the amorphous silicon (a-Si) EPID for square field sizes ranging from 1×1 to 10×10 cm(2) at energies 6 and 18 mega-voltage (MV). For comparison, the dosimetric parameters were measured with the pinpoint, diode, and Semiflex dosimeters. Additionally, the Monaco treatment planning system was selected to calculate the output factors and beam profiles. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the output factors measured using the EPID and that measured with the other dosimeters for field sizes lower than 8×8 cm(2). In the energy of 6 MV, the gamma passing rates (3%/3 mm) between EPID and diode profile were 98%, 98%, 95%, 94%, 93%, and 94% for 1×1, 2×2, 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, and 10×10 cm(2), respectively. The measured penumbra width with EPID was higher compared to that measured by the diode dosimeter for both energies. CONCLUSION: The EPID can measure the dosimetric parameters in small photon fields, especially for beam profiles and penumbra measurements.