What is one advantage of using a dynamic wedge over a physical wedge for treatment?

Using a dynamic wedge offers the advantage of no change in beam quality across the field size. This is particularly important in radiotherapy, as maintaining consistent beam quality ensures that the dose distribution is uniform and predictable across the treatment area.

Dynamic wedges are created by modulating the intensity of the radiation beam as it passes through the treatment area, rather than physically inserting a wedge into the beam path. This modulation allows for smoother dose gradients and can effectively create a wedge effect without altering the energy characteristics of the beam, thereby preserving the therapeutic properties of the treatment.

In contrast, physical wedges can attenuate the beam differently across various field sizes, which can complicate dosimetry and affect treatment outcomes. Maintaining beam quality is crucial for ensuring that the planned doses are delivered accurately, enhancing treatment efficacy while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.