Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik

Volume 21, Issue 1, 03-2011

pp. 11-18 (8)

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Matthias Kowatsch; Peter Winkler; Brigitte Zurl; Thomas Konrad; Jörg Schröttner

Abstract

Subject of this study is the question of whether cone beam CT (CBCT) images with reduced projection data are suitable for use in adaptive radiation therapy (ART) treatment planning. For this purpose image quality and dose calculation accuracy depending on imaging modality were analysed. In this context, two CBCT-methods will be indicated having reduced projection data sets: Scans acquired with 200° rotation angle in order to accelerate the CBCT process (half scan), or scans with an asymmetric cone beam and detector offset, used to enlarge the field-of-view (half fan).

Methods

For three different CBCT-modes (On-Board-Imaging, Varian Medical Systems), two of them based on reduced projection data, and a conventional multidetector CT system, the main image quality parameters were studied. Treatment plans for two phantoms were transferred to all datasets and re-computed to analyse dose calculation accuracy. Furthermore imaging dose was measured for all modalities.

Results

All three CBCT-modes showed similar results with regard to image quality. It was found, that a reduction in projection data does not necessarily involve deterioration in image quality parameters. For dose calculation based on CBCT images, a good agreement with the reference plan was found, with a maximum deviation for the mean dose in regions of interest of 1.1%. Imaging dose was found to be 2.5 cGy and 2.9 cGy for the large-FOV mode and the partial rotation mode, respectively, and 5.4 cGy for the 360°-full fan mode.

Keywords

cone beam CT; Bildqualität; Bestrahlungsplanung; Dosisberechnung; cone beam CT; image quality; treatment planning; dose calculation

DOI (Digital Object Identifier):   10.1016/j.zemedi.2010.08.002