Feasibility of computed radiography for performing quality assurance tests of teletherapy machines

Some of the routine quality assurance procedures performed in Radiotherapy requires usage of films or Electronic portal imaging devices (EPID). Extended Dose Rate (EDR2) and X-omatV films are widely used and require processing post exposure which requires an automatic film processor or dark room facilities, which are almost non-existent in most institutes as they have migrated to digital radiography. Gafchromic films on the other hand are self-developing but are more expensive. EPID is a good alternative to films but is a facility only available with advance linear accelerators. Many institutions in India still function with telecobalt units and/or linear accelerator with basic facilities. Though films are a gold standard in radiotherapy, there is a need to find an alternative that is simple and cost effective to perform some of the frequency based quality assurance tests like light and radiation field congruence, spokes test for collimator, couch and gantry isocentre and Parallelism of jaws as per the TG-142 and AERB protocols