Using three-dimensional equieffective dose mapping to audit a methodology for calculating permitted doses for head and neck reirradiation.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Reirradiation is increasingly common, but accounting for prior dose to the spinal cord and brainstem is challenging. This study compares a simple isodose-based method of previous dose compensation with voxel-wise equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD_2/2) dose mapping to assess accuracy and safety.

Materials and methods

Ten head and neck reirradiation cases were retrospectively reviewed. During planning, original dose distributions were mapped onto the reirradiation computed tomography scan. Isodoses within the cord and brainstem were used to segment dose-level substructures, with cumulative doses kept within defined tolerances. Following 3D EQD_2/2 mapping, the same cases were audited by recalculating cumulative maximum doses. Cum

SUBMITTER: Nash D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12702338 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature