IPEM Topical Report Series

In parallel with textbook length reports and codes of practice, IPEM has launched a complementary series of short topical reports to be published in its Journal Physics in Medicine and Biology (PMB). These aim to address a specific area of current or developing practice, with rapid production times, to benefit the clinical physicist or engineer 'at the coalface'. The first topical report was published in PMB in November 2016 and covers the use of flattening-filter free (FFF) beams in radiotherapy. 

PMB welcomes the opportunity to publish IPEM codes of practice and topical reports, subject to the usual rigorous peer-review process and given the global reach of the journal, the requirement that the international context is addressed. We believe these publications will be of broad benefit to medical physics and bioengineering practitioners who strive to deliver the highest quality healthcare to patients.s.

IPEM Topical Report Guidance on implementing flattening filter free (FFF) radiotherapy  
Many departments are looking to introduce these modalities, mainly because of their higher dose rates and potential ease of modelling in the treatment planning system. As the use of hypofractionated regimes such as stereotactic body radiotherapy increases, FFF beams are an attractive proposition for a busy clinical department. However, as with all technological advances, it is essential that medical physics experts are aware of potential risks associated with their use, and commission their equipment safely and accurately. We hope this report will aid their work.  Published: November 2016

IPEM Topical Report The first UK Survey of dose indices from radiotherapy treatment planning computed tomography scans for adult patients
This IPEM topical report presents the results of the first UK wide survey of dose indices in radiotherapy CT planning scans. Patient dose indices were collected for prostate, gynaecological, breast, lung 3D, lung 4D, brain and head and neck scans. Median values per scanner and examination type were calculated and national dose reference levels and 'achievable levels' of CT dose index (CTDI_vol), dose-length-product (DLP) and scan length are proposed based on the third quartile and median values of these distributions, respectively.   Published: September 2018