Radiotherapy Simulators
A conventional
radiotherapy simulator is a Kv x-ray
machine and detector, that is attached to a machine
that emulates the movements of a
radiotherapy
treatment machine
(linear accelerator
(linac)). Traditionally, it's role was to
plan all types of
radiotherapy
treatment. It takes 2D x-rays which the
planning department can convert into a 3D drawing.
The machines main limitation was its inability to
accurately distinguish the different densities of areas,
such as bone and air, making treatment panning more of an
art form than a science! Because of this, their role in
planning radical radiotherapy treatments, is mainly
redundant in many centers across the UK and the sale of
such machines is now almost non-existant in the UK and
North America. That being said they are useful for checking
radiotherapy plans and planning palliative treatments very
quickly and efficiently.
CT Simulator
CT Simulators took over from the
conventional simulators because they have the major
advantage of being able to construct a 3D image of the
patient. They are able to accurately locate and record
the different densities of tissue, organs and bones in
the human body meaning these can be accounted for in
the radiotherapy planning. These 3D images and
detailed information, enable the treatment planners to
create plans that are tailored very specifically to
each individual patients specific size and shape.
Written: 01/04/2010
Reviewed: 11/10/2010
