Comparison dose distributions from gamma knife unit 4C with CT data and non-CT data options of beamnrc code

Todays gamma knife radiosurgery is used widely for treatment of very small brain tumors. In order to investigate accuracy of dosimetry and treatment planning calculations, using Monte Carlo simulation with dedicated code named as beamnrc including non-CT data and CT data options is necessary. The aim of this study is choosing the best options in order to have an accurate tools based on their advantages and disadvantages. In this study, gamma knife unit 4C along with standard water equivalent phantom and EBT3 films were used to obtain dose distributions. Monte Carlo simulation was done with non-CT data and CT data options of the code and their resulting dose were compared. Comparison the calculated and measured dose distributions at X, Y and Z axis showed gamma value below 1 which verified Monte Carlo simulations. Also comparing the dose distributions from both non-CT data and CT data with each other implies that there is no significant difference between two methods. Based on the obtained results using non-CT data and CT data results in the same dose distribution. So for simplicity, using non CT data for regular phantom shapes is preferred.