Effect of correction methods of radiochromic EBT2 films on the accuracy of IMRT QA

Radiochromic films are dosimeters with more favorable characteristics than other two-dimensional (2D) radiation detectors. Transmission film scanners using a linear charge-coupled device (CCD) array have a drawback of variation in response along the detector array, which may result in a nonuniform transmission of signal over the scanned image. This study uses 2D gamma index analysis to compare two methods for correcting the nonuniform response of EBT2: the first method was based on the new red:blue method proposed by the manufacturer (to compensate for small nonuniformities in the film coating) and the second method, proposed by Menegotti et al. (2008), was based on dose-dependent matrix correction factors. The gamma index analysis shows that both the methods are comparably accurate for all the criteria values used for evaluation (1mm/1%, 2mm/2%, 3mm/3%). Centers around the world use both the methods to correct EBT2 local heterogeneities, but it is important to note that the former method has several advantages such as less time consumption and easy implementation. •Transmission signal of the film scanners was analyzed.•Gamma index for correction method was employed.•Radiochromic film response was employed for heterogeneity correction.•Red blue method was compared with matrix correction method.