Six-year data from three magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy systems demonstrate long-term stability of linear accelerator quality assurance
- 1Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- 2Radiotherapiegroep, Arnhem/Deventer, The Netherlands
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy systems require comprehensive quality assurance (QA) programs to ensure safe and precise treatment delivery. This study evaluates the long-term behavior and variability of linac-related QA results across three clinically operated 1.5 T MRI-linacs at a single institution and assesses compliance with tolerance limits.
Materials and Methods: QA data acquired over a six-year period from three clinically operated 1.5 T MRI-linacs were retrospectively analyzed. A range of linac-related dosimetric and mechanical QA tests was included. Performance envelopes (mean ± 2 SD) were constructed to characterize variability relative to tolerance limits.
Results: For 11 of 13 QA tests, performance envelopes for the associated metrics remained within the applied tolerance limits. For the two remaining tests, envelopes slightly extended beyond these limits. These deviations were not considered clinically relevant, and their underlying causes were understood. No progressive trends of clinical relevance were observed in the linac-specific time series.
Conclusions: Stability of linac-related QA results was demonstrated over six years across three MRI-linacs, supporting reconsideration of the QA program.
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BibTeX
@article{hilgers2026sixyear,
title = {{Six-year data from three magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy systems demonstrate long-term stability of linear accelerator quality assurance}},
author = {Guido C. Hilgers and Simon J. Woodings and Thomas A. Foppen and Jochem W.H. Wolthaus and André W. Minken and Bas W. Raaymakers and Bram van Asselen},
journal = {Physics and Imaging in Radiation Oncology},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.phro.2026.101091},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phro.2026.101091},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Six-year data from three magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy systems demonstrate long-term stability of linear accelerator quality assurance
AU - Guido C. Hilgers
AU - Simon J. Woodings
AU - Thomas A. Foppen
AU - Jochem W.H. Wolthaus
AU - André W. Minken
AU - Bas W. Raaymakers
AU - Bram van Asselen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/23
JO - Physics and Imaging in Radiation Oncology
DO - 10.1016/j.phro.2026.101091
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phro.2026.101091
AB - Background and Purpose: Magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy systems require comprehensive quality assurance (QA) programs to ensure safe and precise treatment delivery. This study evaluates the long-term behavior and variability of linac-related QA results across three clinically operated 1.5 T MRI-linacs at a single institution and assesses compliance with tolerance limits. Materials and Methods: QA data acquired over a six-year period from three clinically operated 1.5 T MRI-linacs were retrospectively analyzed. A range of linac-related dosimetric and mechanical QA tests was included. Performance envelopes (mean ± 2 SD) were constructed to characterize variability relative to tolerance limits. Results: For 11 of 13 QA tests, performance envelopes for the associated metrics remained within the applied tolerance limits. For the two remaining tests, envelopes slightly extended beyond these limits. These deviations were not considered clinically relevant, and their underlying causes were understood. No progressive trends of clinical relevance were observed in the linac-specific time series. Conclusions: Stability of linac-related QA results was demonstrated over six years across three MRI-linacs, supporting reconsideration of the QA program.
SN - 2405-6316
ER -