Acceptance testing computerized radiation therapy treatment planning systems: direct utilization of CT scan data.

The availability of computerized radiation therapy treatment planning systems that utilize computed tomography (CT) scan data requires testing additional to that routinely needed for non-CT systems. These additional items include dimensioning verification, establishing CT number-to-tissue property conversions, verifying the accuracy of heterogeneity corrected dose predictions and autocontouring. One testing protocol is presented and sample results from an Atomic Energy of Canada Theraplan L system are presented.