Online Image-guided Radiotherapy Research Articles

Treatment time of image-guided radiotherapy with a Halcyon 2.0 system

IntroductionThe treatment fraction time is a key indicator of the external beam radiotherapy process. The Halcyon system was designed to improve the clinical workflow, according to the manufacturer (Varian Medical Systems). Few works studied the actual delivery efficiency of the Halcyon system. This work analyzed the treatment time on a Halcyon 2.0 unit for a variety of sites along a period of 9 months. Materials and MethodsTreatment time included patient setup, image acquisition, image-guided online couch correction, and radiation delivery time. Data were extracted from the ARIA oncology information system and were studied as a function of the treatment site, the delivery modality, and the time from the first day of treatments with the Halcyon 2.0 system in our institution. ResultsA total of 8599 fractions were delivered during the analyzed period (69.5% from VMAT plans, and 30.5% from IMRT plans). The number of fractions by site ranged from 30 for anal canal to 1933 for prostate. Five sites (prostate, lung, pelvis with prostate, breast, and gynecological sites) accounted for the 84% of the fractions. After a 2-week adaptation period of the staff, the daily mean treatment time was reduced to less than 12 min. The mean treatment time of all the fractions amounted to 10.5 ± 3.8 min. ConclusionsThe Halcyon 2.0 allowed delivering online image-guided radiation therapy in all fractions with total treatment time consistently below the 12-min standard time slot, for most of the analyzed treatment sites.

Comparing treatment uncertainty for ultra- vs. standard-hypofractionated breast radiation therapy based on in-vivo dosimetry

Background and purposePostoperative ultrahypofractionated radiation therapy (UHFRT) in 5 fractions (fx) for breast cancer patients is as effective and safe as conventionally hypofractionated RT (HFRT) in 15 fx, liberating time for higher-level daily online Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) corrections. In this retrospective study, treatment uncertainties occurring in patients treated with 5fx (5fx-group) were evaluated using electronic portal imaging device (EPID)-based in-vivo dosimetry (EIVD) and compared with the results from patients treated with conventionally HFRT (15fx-group) to validate the new technique and to evaluate if the shorter treatment schedule could have a positive effect on the treatment uncertainties.Materials and methodsEPID-based integrated transit dose images were acquired for each treatment fraction in the 5fx-group (203 patients) and on the first 3 days of treatment and weekly thereafter in the 15fx-group (203 patients). A total of 1015 EIVD measurements in the 5fx-group and 1144 in the 15fx-group were acquired. Of the latter group, 755 had been treated with online IGRT correction (i.e., Online-IGRT 15fx-group).ResultsIn the 15fx-group 12.0% of fractions failed (FFs) compared to 3.8% in the 5fx-group and 6.9% in the online-IGRT 15fx-group. Causes for FFs in the 15fx-group compared with the 5fx-group were patient positioning (7.4% vs. 2.2%), technical issues (3.1% vs. 1.2%) and breast swelling (1.4% vs. 0.5%). In the online-IGRT 15fx-group, 2.5% were attributed to patient positioning, 3.8% to technical issues and 0.5% to breast swelling.ConclusionsEIVD demonstrated that UHFRT for breast cancer results in less FFs compared to standard HFRT. A large proportion of this decrease could be explained by using daily online IGRT.

UK adaptive radiotherapy practices for head and neck cancer patients.

Objective:To provide evidence on the extent and manner in which adaptive practices have been employed in the UK and identify the main barriers for the clinical implementation of adaptive radiotherapy (ART) in head and neck (HN) cancer cases.Methods:In December 2019, a Supplementary Material 1, of 23 questions, was sent to all UK radiotherapy centres (67). This covered general information to current ART practices and perceived barriers to implementation.Results:31 centres responded (46%). 56% responding centres employed ART for between 10 and 20 patients/annum. 96% of respondents were using CBCT either alone or with other modalities for assessing “weight loss” and “shell gap,” which were the main reasons for ART. Adaptation usually occurs at week three or four during the radiotherapy treatment. 25 responding centres used an online image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) approach and 20 used an offline ad hoc ART approach, either with or without protocol level. Nearly 70% of respondents required 2 to 3 days to create an adaptive plan and 95% used 3–5 mm adaptive planning target volume margins. All centres performed pre-treatment QA. “Limited staff resources” and “lack of clinical relevance” were identified as the two main barriers for ART implementation.Conclusion:There is no consensus in adaptive practice for HN cancer patients across the UK. For those centres not employing ART, similar clinical implementation barriers were identified.Advances in knowledge:An insight into contemporary UK practices of ART for HN cancer patients indicating national guidance for ART implementation for HN cancer patients may be required

A Monte Carlo study to investigate the feasibility of an on-board SPECT/spectral-CT/CBCT imager for medical linear accelerator.

The on-board flat-panel cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) lacks molecular/functional information for current online image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). It might not be adequate for adaptive radiation therapy (ART), particularly for biologically guided tumor delineation and targeting which might be shifted and/or distorted during the course of RT. A linear accelerator (Linac) gantry-mounted on-board imager (OBI) was proposed using a single photon counting detector (PCD) panel to achieve single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), energy-resolved spectral CT, and conventional CBCT triple on-board imaging, which might facilitate online ART with an addition of volumetric molecular/functional imaging information. The system was designed and evaluated in the GATE Monte Carlo platform. The OBI system including a kV-beam source and a pixelated cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector panel mounted on a medical Linac orthogonally to the MV beam direction was designed to obtain online CBCT, spectral CT, and SPECT tri-modal imaging of patients in the treatment room. The spatial resolutions of the OBI system were determined by imaging simulated phantoms. The CBCT imaging was evaluated by a simulated contrast phantom. A PMMA phantom containing gadolinium was imaged to demonstrate quantitative imaging of spectral-CT/CBCT of the system. The capability of tri-modal imaging of the OBI was demonstrated using three different spectral CT imaging methods to differentiate gadolinium, gold, calcium within simulated PMMA and the SPECT to image radioactive 99m Tc distribution. The dual-isotope SPECT imaging of the system was also evaluated by imaging a phantom containing 99m Tc and 123 I. The radiotherapy-related parameters of iodine contrast fraction and virtual non-contrast (VNC) tissue electron density in the Kidney1 inserts of a simulated phantom were decomposed using the Bayesian eigentissue decomposition method for contrast-enhanced CBCT/spectral-CT of the OBI in a single scan. The spatial resolutions of CBCT and SPECT of the OBI were determined to be 15.1lp/cm at 10% MTF and 4.8-12mm for radii of rotation of 10-40cm, respectively. In CBCT image of the contrast phantom, most of the soft-tissue inserts were visible with sufficient spatial structure details. As compared to the CBCT image of gadolinium, the spectral CT image provided higher image contrasts. Calcium, gadolinium, and gold were separated well by using the spectral CT material imaging methods. The reconstructed distribution of 99m Tc agreed with the spatial position within the phantom. The two isotopes were separated from each other in dual-isotope SPECT imaging of the OBI. The iodine fractions and the VNC electron densities were estimated in the iodine-enhanced Kidney1 tissue inserts with reasonable RMS errors. The main procedures of the tri-modal imaging guided online ART workflow were presented with new functional features included. Using a single photon counting CZT detector panel, an on-board SPECT, spectral CT, and CBCT tri-modal imaging could be realized in Linacs. With the added online molecular/functional imaging obtained from the new OBI for the online ART proposed, the accuracy of radiation treatment delivery could be further improved.

OA189] 4D-CBCT streak reduction by simulated undersampling from 3D reconstruction

Purpose 4D-Cone Beam CT (4D-CBCT) scans used for image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) are usually undersampled and therefore affected by streaking artifacts. This study investigates a streak reduction method that simulates undersampling from a 3D reconstruction. Methods This study is based on small field of view (SFOV) 4D-CBCT and 4D-CT scans of 20 lung cancer patients subjected to curatively intended IGRT. The proposed method resembles elements of the McKinnon-Bates algorithm [IEEE Trans Biomed Eng., 28, 123, 1981]. CBCT projections were 3D reconstructed and re-projected onto the original gantry angles. Re-projections were reconstructed as 3D and as 4D by respiratory phase binning. Streaks produced due to undersampling were estimated by subtracting the 3D volume from the 4D volumes. Corrected 4D-CBCT was made by subtracting the estimated streaks from a standard 4D-CBCT image. Quantitative analyses were conducted on the expiration phase. Streak-reduction was measured as the ratio of summed gradients in corrected image to uncorrected image, with less than unity indicating improvement. Corrected and uncorrected CBCT images were mapped onto CT by image registration and for each CBCT image the average HU error between CT and CBCT was calculated. Results The total process took less than 5 min for a 10 phase reconstruction. Visual improvements were observed when applying streak correction for the 4D-CBCT images. The ratio of summed gradients also favored the corrected images (mean = 0.8, SD = 0.05) and no sign of overall degradation of HU values were observed, given that average HU error for corrected CBCT was lower for corrected CBCT (mean = 181, SD = 22.1) than for uncorrected CBCT (mean = 193, SD = 24.7). Conclusions The quality of SFOV 4D-CBCT images subjected to streak correction was found to be improved based on visual and quantitative validations. A GPU-based implementation could potentially reduce the computation process to less than a minute and thereby making it usable for on-line IGRT.

A service evaluation of on-line image-guided radiotherapy to lower extremity sarcoma: Investigating the workload implications of a 3 mm action level for image assessment and correction prior to delivery

IntroductionAlthough all systematic and random positional setup errors can be corrected for in entirety during on-line image-guided radiotherapy, the use of a specified action level, below which no correction occurs, is also an option. The following service evaluation aimed to investigate the use of this 3 mm action level for on-line image assessment and correction (online, systematic set-up error and weekly evaluation) for lower extremity sarcoma, and understand the impact on imaging frequency and patient positioning error within one cancer centre. MethodsAll patients were immobilised using a thermoplastic shell attached to a plastic base and an individual moulded footrest. A retrospective analysis of 30 patients was performed. Patient setup and correctional data derived from cone beam CT analysis was retrieved. The timing, frequency and magnitude of corrections were evaluated. The population systematic and random error was derived. Results20% of patients had no systematic corrections over the duration of treatment, and 47% had one. The maximum number of systematic corrections per course of radiotherapy was 4, which occurred for 2 patients. 34% of episodes occurred within the first 5 fractions. All patients had at least one observed translational error during their treatment greater than 0.3 cm, and 80% of patients had at least one observed translational error during their treatment greater than 0.5 cm. The population systematic error was 0.14 cm, 0.10 cm, 0.14 cm and random error was 0.27 cm, 0.22 cm, 0.23 cm in the lateral, caudocranial and anteroposterial directions. The required Planning Target Volume margin for the study population was 0.55 cm, 0.41 cm and 0.50 cm in the lateral, caudocranial and anteroposterial directions. ConclusionThe 3 mm action level for image assessment and correction prior to delivery reduced the imaging burden and focussed intervention on patients that exhibited greater positional variability. This strategy could be an efficient deployment of departmental resources if full daily correction of positional setup error is not possible.

National survey on image‐guided radiotherapy practice in New Zealand

This survey aimed to assess the use of image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) within New Zealand (NZ) and evaluate the quality of IGRT delivery. All nine centres in NZ were invited to participate in an online survey in November 2015. Questions were asked on type of IGRT technologies available, IGRT use by tumour site and frequency of imaging. In addition, questions were asked in reference to the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) White Paper recommendations on safe practice of IGRT. Seven of the nine centres (78%) responded. Kilovoltage cone-beam CT (CBCT), kilovoltage planar imaging and megavoltage electronic portal imaging were the most commonly used IGRT technologies. CBCT was most frequently used in gynaecology (100%), genitourinary (86%) and head and neck (86%) sites. Despite the availability of similar IGRT technologies, there was significant variation in their application between centres. All centres used online IGRT; however, the frequency of imaging varied across the tumour sites and individual centres. Daily online IGRT use ranged from 43% to 86% across the tumour sites. Overall, there was good compliance by the NZ centres to the White Paper recommendations, with at least 71% reached for each element. However, the compliance rates for the individual centres ranged between 50% and 100%. The most commonly identified barrier to IGRT use was lack of guidelines/education (43%). Image-guided radiotherapy is widely used in NZ; however, there is a wide variation in its application between centres. Detailed tumour site-specific, imaging modality-specific national guidelines will allow standardization of IGRT practices.

Evaluation and development of an image-guided radiotherapy protocol for prostate and nodes

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate and develop an image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) protocol for the effective treatment of prostate and pelvic lymph nodes.Methods and materialsThis study comprised of nine patients receiving radiotherapy for node negative prostate cancer, who had a pair of planar kV images taken for 37 treatment fractions. The positioning accuracy for both implanted fiducial markers and pelvic bony anatomy (surrogate for pelvic node position) was calculated using random and systematic errors. Appropriate margins were also determined. All patients followed a strict bladder and bowel protocol before computed tomography planning and treatment.ResultsIn total, 292 sets of images were used for fiducial marker and pelvic bone registration. A discrepancy of >5 mm between the fiducial markers and the anatomical pelvic bone was seen in 4% of treatment sessions. The maximum displacement observed between the fiducial match and the bone match was 7, 10 and 4 mm in the A/P (anterior/posterior), S/I (superior/inferior) and R/L (right/left) directions, respectively.ConclusionThe margins used in combination with an online IGRT strategy ensure both the fiducial match and the bone match correlate within 5 mm thus allows good coverage of both prostate and nodal target volumes. It is essential that this is combined with a strict bladder and rectal preparation protocol to ensure accuracy and reproducibility.

Effect of ProSpare (PS), a rectal obturator, on inter- and intrafraction prostate motion and anorectal doses in prostate radiotherapy (RT).

e633 Background: PS is a single use, self-insertable endorectal device designed as a daily image-guidance tool for prostate cancer RT. Rectal filling is a significant factor in prostate motion. We investigated the effect of PS on inter- and intrafraction prostate motion and its effect on anorectal dosimetry. Methods: 19 patients with localized prostate cancer were randomized to receive prostate RT with PS either in the 1st or 2nd half of treatment. For each patient two planning CT scans were acquired, without and with PS. Contours were delineated by one physician and planned with a forward multi-segment technique to a dose of 74Gy/37F. Dose surface histograms were created (VODCA). In all patients, 3 electromagnetic transponders (EM) were implanted into the prostate and daily online image-guided RT was performed using either cone-beam CT (Elekta) or Calypso–based localization with tracking. Interfraction systematic (Σ) and random (σ) errors were estimated for bone matching without and with PS using EM position as reference. CTV-PTV margins were generated using the Van Herk formula. In-house code was used to analyse intrafraction motion recorded by Calypso of the EM centroid in the RL, SI and AP planes for individual fractions. A 2-way ANOVA test (SPSS v22) was used to determine if PS had an effect on maximal intrafraction prostate displacement. Results: See Table. Conclusions: PS affects the dosimetric pattern to the anal canal and rectum and this may impact GI toxicity. Also, PS stabilizes the prostate, which could enable reduced planning margins. PS will now be assessed in post-prostatectomy RT within a randomized controlled trial, POPS. Clinical trial information: 11814. [Table: see text] [Table: see text] [Table: see text]

Radiobiologically optimized couch shift: A new localization paradigm using cone‐beam CT for prostate radiotherapy

To present a novel positioning strategy which optimizes radiation delivery by utilizing radiobiological response knowledge and evaluate its use during prostate external beam radiotherapy. Five patients with low or intermediate risk prostate cancer were evaluated retrospectively in this IRB-approved study. For each patient, a VMAT plan with one 358° arc was generated on the planning CT (PCT) to deliver 78 Gy in 39 fractions. Five representative pretreatment cone beam CTs (CBCT) were selected for each patient. The CBCT images were registered to PCT by a human observer, which consisted of an initial automated registration with three degrees-of-freedom, followed by manual adjustment for agreement at the prostate/rectal wall interface. To determine the optimal treatment position for each CBCT, a search was performed centering on the observer-matched position (OM-position) utilizing a score function based on radiobiological and dosimetric indices (EUDprostate, D99prostate, NTCPrectum, and NTCPbladder) for the prostate, rectum, and bladder. We termed the optimal treatment position the radiobiologically optimized couch shift position (ROCS-position). The dosimetric indices, averaged over the five patients' treatment plans, were (mean ± SD) 79.5 ± 0.3 Gy (EUDprostate), 78.2 ± 0.4 Gy (D99prostate), 11.1% ± 2.7% (NTCPrectum), and 46.9% ± 7.6% (NTCPbladder). The corresponding values from CBCT at the OM-positions were 79.5 ± 0.6 Gy (EUDprostate), 77.8 ± 0.7 Gy (D99prostate), 12.1% ± 5.6% (NTCPrectum), and 51.6% ± 15.2% (NTCPbladder), respectively. In comparison, from CBCT at the ROCS-positions, the dosimetric indices were 79.5 ± 0.6 Gy (EUDprostate), 77.3 ± 0.6 Gy (D99prostate), 8.0% ± 3.3% (NTCPrectum), and 46.9% ± 15.7% (NTCPbladder). Excessive NTCPrectum was observed on Patient 5 (19.5% ± 6.6%) corresponding to localization at OM-position, compared to the planned value of 11.7%. This was mitigated with radiobiologically optimized localization, resulting in a reduced NTCPrectum value of 11.3% ± 3.5%. Overall, the treatment position optimization resulted in similar target dose coverage with reduced risk to rectum. These encouraging results illustrate the potential advantage of applying radiobiologically optimized correction for online image-guided radiotherapy of prostate patients.

Toxicity After Central versus Peripheral Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: A Propensity Score Matched-Pair Analysis

To compare toxicity after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for "central" tumors-within 2 cm of the proximal bronchial tree or with planning tumor volume (PTV) touching mediastinum-versus noncentral ("peripheral") lung tumors. From November 2005 to January 2011, 229 tumors (110 central, 119 peripheral; T1-3N0M0 non-small-cell lung cancer and limited lung metastases) in 196 consecutive patients followed prospectively at a single institution received moderate-dose SBRT (48-60 Gy in 4-5 fractions [biologic effective dose=100-132 Gy, α/β=10]) using 4-dimensional planning, online image-guided radiation therapy, and institutional dose constraints. Clinical adverse events (AEs) were graded prospectively at clinical and radiographic follow-up using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0. Pulmonary function test (PFT) decline was graded as 2 (25%-49.9% decline), 3 (50.0%-74.9% decline), or 4 (≥75.0% decline). Central/peripheral location was assessed retrospectively on planning CT scans. Groups were compared after propensity score matching. Characteristics were compared with χ(2) and 2-tailed t tests, adverse events with χ(2) test-for-trend, and cumulative incidence using competing risks analysis (Gray's test). With 79 central and 79 peripheral tumors matched, no differences in AEs were observed after 17 months median follow-up. Two-year cumulative incidences of grade ≥2 pain, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, and skin AEs were 14%, 5%, 6%, and 10% (central) versus 19%, 10%, 10%, and 3% (peripheral), respectively (P=.31, .38, .70, and .09). Grade ≥2 cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous system AEs were rare (<1%). Two-year incidences of grade ≥2 clinical AEs (28% vs 25%, P=.79), grade ≥2 PFT decline (36% vs 34%, P=.94), grade ≥3 clinical AEs (3% vs 7%, P=.48), and grade ≥3 PFT decline (0 vs 10%, P=.11) were similar for central versus peripheral tumors, respectively. Pooled 2-year incidences of grades 4 and 5 AEs were <1% and 0%, respectively, in both the prematched and matched groups. Moderate-dose SBRT with these techniques yields a similarly safe toxicity profile for both central and peripheral lung tumors.

Analysis of Online and Offline Head and Neck Image-guided Radiation Therapy

PurposeThe introduction of a daily image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) program is an important step. It has implications for the radiation therapy team in terms of accuracy, workflow, and decision making. This study assesses how successful a radiation therapy department has been in using this technology and the accuracy of individual decision making when comparing online and offline image match data. MethodsTwenty intensity-modulated radiation therapy head and neck patients had their IGRT data assessed retrospectively. Online analysis was completed based on a 0-mm action threshold. Offline analysis was then conducted on the same data. Any discrepancies in decision making were then assessed. ResultsResults indicated that the treating radiation therapy team was able to image match consistently when benchmarked against their colleagues in the offline environment. Analysis of online versus offline corrections in each of the three orthogonal directions showed strong agreement. Further analysis revealed no statistically significant differences for systematic errors, whereas a statistically significant but small difference was present for random error. ConclusionIn this age of sophisticated equipment, daily IGRT is a valuable modality. However, the introduction of daily online IGRT inclusive of a 0-mm action threshold for head and neck IGRT requires careful consideration and evidence that such accuracy can be achieved. Ultimately, it is still the radiation therapist who must make the decision, which places great importance on the competency of the treating radiation therapy team.

Impact of body-mass factors on setup displacement in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy using daily on-line image guidance

BackgroundTo determine the impact of body-mass factors (BMF) before radiotherapy and changes during radiotherapy on the magnitude of setup displacement in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).MethodsThe clinical data of 30 patients with HNC was analyzed using the alignment data from daily on-line on-board imaging from image-guided radiotherapy. BMFs included body weight, body height, and the circumference and bilateral thickness of the neck. Changes in the BMFs during treatment were retrieved from cone beam computed tomography at the 10th and 20th fractions. Setup errors for each patient were assessed by systematic error (SE) and random error (RE) through the superior-inferior (SI), anterior-posterior (AP), and medial-lateral (ML) directions, and couch rotation (CR). Using the median values of the BMFs as a cutoff, the impact of the factors on the magnitude of displacement was assessed by the Mann–Whitney U test.ResultsA higher body weight before radiotherapy correlated with a greater AP-SE (p = 0.045), SI-RE (p = 0.023), and CR-SE (p = 0.033). A longer body height was associated with a greater SI-RE (p = 0.002). A performance status score of 1 or 2 was related to a greater AP-SE (p = 0.043), AP-RE (p = 0.015), and SI-RE (p = 0.043). Among the ratios of the BMFs during radiotherapy, the values at the level of mastoid tip at the 20th fraction were associated with greater setup errors.ConclusionsTo reduce setup errors in patients with HNC receiving RT, the use of on-line image-guided radiotherapy is recommended for patients with a large body weight or height, and a performance status score of 1–2. In addition, adaptive planning should be considered for those who have a large reduction ratio in the circumference (<1) and thickness (<0.94) over the level of the mastoid tip during the 20th fraction of treatment.

Motion‐map constrained image reconstruction (MCIR): Application to four‐dimensional cone‐beam computed tomography

Utilization of respiratory correlated four-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (4DCBCT) has enabled verification of internal target motion and volume immediately prior to treatment. However, with current standard CBCT scan, 4DCBCT poses challenge for reconstruction due to the fact that multiple phase binning leads to insufficient number of projection data to reconstruct and thus cause streaking artifacts. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel 4DCBCT reconstruction algorithm framework called motion-map constrained image reconstruction (MCIR), that allows reconstruction of high quality and high phase resolution 4DCBCT images with no more than the imaging dose as well as projections used in a standard free breathing 3DCBCT (FB-3DCBCT) scan. The unknown 4DCBCT volume at each phase was mathematically modeled as a combination of FB-3DCBCT and phase-specific update vector which has an associated motion-map matrix. The motion-map matrix, which is the key innovation of the MCIR algorithm, was defined as the matrix that distinguishes voxels that are moving from stationary ones. This 4DCBCT model was then reconstructed with compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction framework such that the voxels with high motion would be aggressively updated by the phase-wise sorted projections and the voxels with less motion would be minimally updated to preserve the FB-3DCBCT. To evaluate the performance of our proposed MCIR algorithm, we evaluated both numerical phantoms and a lung cancer patient. The results were then compared with the (1) clinical FB-3DCBCT reconstructed using the FDK, (2) 4DCBCT reconstructed using the FDK, and (3) 4DCBCT reconstructed using the well-known prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS). Examination of the MCIR algorithm showed that high phase-resolved 4DCBCT with sets of up to 20 phases using a typical FB-3DCBCT scan could be reconstructed without compromising the image quality. Moreover, in comparison with other published algorithms, the image quality of the MCIR algorithm is shown to be excellent. This work demonstrates the potential for providing high-quality 4DCBCT during on-line image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), without increasing the imaging dose. The results showed that (at least) 20 phase images could be reconstructed using the same projections data, used to reconstruct a single FB-3DCBCT, without streak artifacts that are caused by insufficient projections.

Clinical Feasibility of Soft-Tissue Matching in Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Guidance for Liver Cancer Patients

The feasibility of soft-tissue matching in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) guidance for liver cancer patients is investigated and its equivalence to fiducial-marker matching on determining patient setup corrections has been studied. On the Elekta Synergy machine, daily CBCT volumetric images were acquired after setup with silver rings (SRs) in liver. The SRs were served as fiducial markers in our study. The CBCT images without SRs in liver were then obtained by digitally removing the SRs in each projection image using photoshop CS4.Considering fiducial-marker matching as a standard, the patient setup errors were compared between two two matching methods. A total of 90 datasets of volumetric images for 10 patients were used in the comparison. Pearson coefficient of correlation for the setup errors was as follows: R2 = 0.718, 0.724, 0.785 in the LR, AP and SI directions, respectively. A Bland-Altman analysis showed no significant trends. The percentage of errors within a ±3 mm tolerance was respectively 95.56%, 95.83%, 91.11%. The p-value (paired permutation test) are respectively 0.1217, 0.919 and 0.7685 in the three cardinal directions and are all greater than 0.05. So, the null hypothesis cannot be refused, that is to say. Two methods have no significant difference. CBCT guidance using soft-tissue is an equivalent method for on-line image-guided radiotherapy for liver-cancer patients when compared to CBCT guidance using fiducial markers. It is feasible to implement CBCT image guidance using soft-tissue matching method clinically.

Evaluation of Prostate Motion and Optimum Planning Target Volume (PTV) Margin in Prostate Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) Based on Fiducial Markers Using 2 Modern, Online Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) Systems

There are still uncertainties in delivering prostate IMRT plans accurately and safely due to inter- and intra-fractional prostate motion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prostate motion based on fiducial markers using two modern online IGRT systems and to determine the optimum PTV margin for prostate IMRT. The IGRT system used in this study was a stereoscopic kV X-ray system or a kV cone beam CT (CBCT) system, both of which have automatic repositioning functions. To evaluate inter- and intra-fractional prostate motion, the pre- and post-treatment X-ray images automatically matched to bony structures and the implanted gold markers on digitally reconstructed radiographs constructed from the planning CT images were obtained using the X-ray IGRT system, and the pre- and post-treatment CBCT images were obtained using the CBCT IGRT system. At the beginning of treatment, the pre-treatment CBCT was manually matched to the planning CT images based on implanted 125I substituted for fiducial markers in this study. Daily prostate set-up error based on fiducial markers and the displacement of each patient's body and prostate during treatment were calculated using the images and movement data recorded on the IGRT systems through these procedures. Inter- and intra-fractional systematic (Σ) and random (σ) errors according to the ICRU-62 report and the optimum PTV margins by the equation of Stroom for prostate IMRT were evaluated using the calculated positioning data. The PTV margins for prostate IMRT were evaluated in 9 patients set-up with the X-ray IGRT system between July 2005 and September 2006, and in 15 patients set-up with the CBCT IGRT system in 2011. IMRT doses of 76 Gy/38 fractions and 45 Gy/25 fractions after 125I seed implantation therapy were delivered to the patients using the X-ray and CBCT IGRT systems, respectively. The daily pre- and post-treatment positioning data of each patient and prostate were clearly obtained through the two IGRT systems based on fiducial markers. On the X-ray IGRT system, the calculated PTV margins in this study were: vertical, 2.8 mm; longitudinal, 2.6 mm; and lateral, 2.5 mm. On the CBCT IGRT system, the corresponding values were 3.6 mm, 3.7 mm, and 2.7 mm. The two results were almost the same, although the data obtained from the CBCT IGRT system were slightly larger due to the uncertainty of manual CT image matching. The two modern IGRT systems provided clear data on inter- and intra-fractional prostate motion and the PTV margin for prostate IMRT. The results showed that a minimum of at least 4 mm is needed as the optimum PTV margin for prostate IMRT, even using fiducial settings.

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) in a patient with left breast cancer and pectus excavatum

Pectus excavatum is a frequent anomaly. It represents a challenge for adjuvant radiotherapy in the conservative treatment of breast cancer. Primary objective of this study is to compare dosimetric outcomes, normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), and integral dose using four radiation techniques. Secondary objective is to describe acute toxicity and setup errors. A 57-year-old female patient with an inner quadrant, left breast, ductal carcinoma in situ, was identified. Whole breast was prescribed with 50 Gy in 25 fractions. Boost planning target volume (PTV) was prescribed with 60 Gy in 30 fractions for sequential boost (SB) plans or 57.5 Gy in 25 fractions in the simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) plan. All plans were normalized to deliver 47.5 Gy to 95 % of the breast PTV. Daily image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) was performed. Setup deviations were described. Constraints were not accomplished for heart when using intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) + SB or conformal radiotherapy with three photon fields and SB. Left lung constraint was not achieved by any of the techniques in comparison. IMRT + SIB and conformal photons and electrons + SB plan were closer to the objective. Integral doses were lower with IMRT for heart and ipsilateral lung; however, it were higher for contralateral breast and lung. Coverage and tumoral conformity indexes were similar for all techniques in comparison. Greater inhomogeneity was observed with the photons and electrons + SB. IMRT + SIB treatment was administered daily with grade I skin toxicity. The highest setup error was observed in Y direction. Planning target volume coverage was similar with the four techniques. Homogeneity was superior with both IMRT plans. A good balance between dose constraints for organs at risk, PTV coverage, homogeneity, and NTCP was observed with IMRT + SIB. The documented daily setup error justifies the use of online IGRT.

Fast compressed sensing-based CBCT reconstruction using Barzilai-Borwein formulation for application to on-line IGRT

Compressed sensing theory has enabled an accurate, low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) reconstruction using a minimal number of noisy projections. However, the reconstruction time remains a significant challenge for practical implementation in the clinic. In this work, we propose a novel gradient projection algorithm, based on the Gradient-Projection-Barzilai-Borwein formulation (GP-BB), that handles the total variation (TV)-norm regularization-based least squares problem for the CBCT reconstruction in a highly efficient manner, with speed acceptable for routine use in the clinic. CBCT is reconstructed by minimizing an energy function consisting of a data fidelity term and a TV-norm regularization term. Both terms are simultaneously minimized by calculating the gradient projection of the energy function with the step size determined using an approximate Hessian calculation at each iteration, based on the Barzilai-Borwein formulation. To speed up the process, a multiresolution optimization is used. In addition, the entire algorithm was designed to run with a single graphics processing unit (GPU) card. To evaluate the performance, the Shepp-Logan numerical phantom, the CatPhan 600 physical phantom, and a clinically-treated head-and-neck patient were acquired from the TrueBeam™ system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). For each scan, in total, 364 projections were acquired in a 200° rotation. The imager has 1024 × 768 pixels with 0.388 × 0.388-mm resolution. This was down-sampled to 512 × 384 pixels with 0.776 × 0.776-mm resolution for reconstruction. Evenly spaced angles were subsampled and used for varying the number of projections for the image reconstruction. To assess the performance of our GP-BB algorithm, we have implemented and compared with three compressed sensing-type algorithms, the two of which are popular and published (forward-backward splitting techniques), and the other one with a basic line-search technique. In addition, the conventional Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) reconstruction of the clinical patient data is compared as well. In comparison with the other compressed sensing-type algorithms, our algorithm showed convergence in ≤30 iterations whereas other published algorithms need at least 50 iterations in order to reconstruct the Shepp-Logan phantom image. With the CatPhan phantom, the GP-BB algorithm achieved a clinically-reasonable image with 40 projections in 12 iterations, in less than 12.6 s. This is at least an order of magnitude faster in reconstruction time compared with the most recent reports utilizing GPU technology given the same input projections. For the head-and-neck clinical scan, clinically-reasonable images were obtained from 120 projections in 34-78 s converging in 12-30 iterations. In this reconstruction range (i.e., 120 projections) the image quality is visually similar to or better than the conventional FDK reconstructed images using 364 projections. This represents a dose reduction of nearly 67% (120∕364 projections) while maintaining a reasonable speed in clinical implementation. In this paper, we proposed a novel, fast, low-dose CBCT reconstruction algorithm using the Barzilai-Borwein step-size calculation. A clinically viable head-and-neck image can be obtained within ∼34-78 s while simultaneously cutting the dose by approximately 67%. This makes our GP-BB algorithm potentially useful in an on-line image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT).

869 Online image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for patients with invasive bladder cancer using in-room plan selection: 3 years of clinical experience

869 Online image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for patients with invasive bladder cancer using in-room plan selection: 3 years of clinical experience

Patient-Specific Three-Dimensional Concomitant Dose From Cone Beam Computed Tomography Exposure in Image-Guided Radiotherapy

The purpose of the present study was to quantify the concomitant dose received by patients undergoing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning in different clinical scenarios as a part of image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) procedures. We calculated the three-dimensional concomitant dose received as a result of CBCT scans in 6 patients representing different clinical scenarios: two pelvis, two head and neck, and two chest. We assessed the effect that a daily on-line IGRT strategy would have on the patient dose distribution, assuming 40 CBCT scans throughout the treatment course. The additional dose to the planning target volume margin region was also estimated. In the pelvis, a single CBCT scan delivered a mean dose to the femoral heads of 2-6 cGy and the rectum of 1-2 cGy. An additional dose to the planning target volume was within 1-3 cGy. In the chest, the mean dose to the planning target volume varied from 2.5 to 5 cGy. The lung and spinal cord planning organ at risk volume received ≤4 cGy and ≤5 cGy, respectively. In the head and neck, a single CBCT scan delivered a mean dose of 0.3 cGy, with bony structures receiving 0.5-0.8 cGy. The femoral heads received an additional dose of 1.5-2.5 Gy. A reduction of 20-30% in the mean dose to the organs at risk was achieved using bowtie filtration. In the head and neck, the dose to the eyes and brainstem was eliminated by decreasing the craniocaudal field size. The additional dose from on-line IGRT procedures can be clinically relevant. The organ dose can be significantly reduced with the use of appropriate patient-specific settings. The concomitant dose from CBCT should be accounted for and the acquisition settings optimized for optimal IGRT strategies on a patient basis.