X-ray imaging dose due to the digital imaging devices used in radiation therapy for patient positioning and repositioning: How to take it into account?

The patient positioning and repositioning control in radiation therapy all along the treatment can be conducted using a variety of X-ray sources and imaging detector devices. The development of image guided radiation therapy techniques leads to more frequent use of this imaging control. In this article we summarize the current methods for measuring the dose delivered by X-ray imaging devices used in radiation therapy, as well as basic proposals to take account of these imaging doses for prescribing, recording and reporting radiation therapy treatment. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.