The study seeks to evaluate the influence of planning target volume (PTV) margins on plan parameters during inverse planning of brain metastases with the Gamma Knife treatment unit, considering various prescription isodose levels (PIL).

CT scan images of a STEEV anthropomorphic phantom were transferred into the GAMMA PLAN Treatment Planning System. A target measuring a volume of 4·9cc was centrally contoured. Plans with a 0 mm volume margin at five prescription isodose levels from 50% to 70% at 5% increment were created. With 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm and 2 mm PTV margins, identical plans were regenerated. Adjustments were made to each plan when necessary to achieve same target coverage. One-way ANOVA test was used to analyse the influence of PTV margins on parameters including Selectivity[S], Gradient index [GI], V12, Paddick’s conformal index [PCI] and Treatment time [TI].

Margin addition resulted in PTV volume increase. The findings indicated that the PTV margin of 2.0 mm exhibited the highest mean selectivity of (0.93 ± 0.00), PCI (0.92 ± 0.01), GI (2.50 ± 0.04), V12 (16.17 ± 0.38) and treatment time (118.32 ± 2.91 min). The 0.0 mm PTV margin had the lowest mean value for all the parameters except for the treatment time (105.58 ± 3.48 min) which was slightly higher compared to the 0.5 mm PTV margin (M = 86.36 ± 4.13 min).

Incremental increases in PTV margins for Gamma knife radiosurgery though a relatively controversial concept influence all dosimetric parameters, which may pose potential detrimental effects and thus need to be carefully evaluated for brain metastasis treatment.