In silico study of the electronic portal imaging devices sensitivity to parotid glands shrinkage during radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cases

This computational investigation examines the capability of electronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) in detecting anatomical changes during radiation therapy. A photon beam for 6 MV was simulated using compliant phase-space files via BEAMnrc (an EGSnrc user code). Initially, the dose calculation was carried out using DOSXYZnrc, an EGSnrc user code, on a water-based calibration phantom made of water. Phantoms, constructed utilizing patient computed tomography data, were subsequently used to simulate clinically relevant parotid gland (PG) shrinkage through image deformation using ImSimQA software. Two EPID geometries were implemented; a simple water slab, and a comprehensive multi-layer representation of the EPID (referred to as the 17-slab model). Using a 1%/1 mm gamma index the 17-slab geometry was sensitive to volume reductions in the PG ≥ − 26% from its original volume, while the water slab detected volume reduction of ≥ − 28.5%. In a clinical setting, replanning of head and neck patients is initiated when a reduction of 24–30% in PG volume is detected through cone-beam computed tomography. The sensitivity index, indicative of the signal to error ratio between the reference and evaluated images, showed an increase as the gland volume decreased for both models. Notably, the 17-slab model consistently more sensitive than the water slab. This computational study highlights the prospective use of EPIDs in monitoring and detecting clinically significant volume changes in the PG during radiation treatment. Advances in knowledge: While EPIDs are frequently employed for patient setup and alignment, this computational work constructed a virtual EPID to assess its detection abilities for the anatomical changes in the PG due to radiation exposure in head and neck cancer cases. © The Author(s) 2024.