bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Abdominal and pancreatic motion correlation using 4D CT, 4D transponders, and a gating belt
Authors: Betancourt Ricardo , Zou Wei , Plastaras John P. , Metz James M. , Teo Boon‐Keng , Kassaee Alireza 
Published: February 2017

The correlation between the pancreatic and external abdominal motion due to respiration was investigated on two patients. These studies utilized four dimensional computer tomography (4D CT), a four dimensional (4D) electromagnetic transponder system, and a gating belt system. One 4D CT study was performed during simulation to quantify the pancreatic motion using computer tomography images at eight breathing phases. The motion under free breathing and breath‐hold were analyzed for the 4D electromagnetic transponder system and the gating belt system during treatment. A linear curve was fitted for all data sets and correlation factors were evaluated between the 4D electromagnetic transponder system and the gating belt system data. The 4D CT study demonstrated a modest correlation between the external marker and the pancreatic motion with R‐square values larger than 0.8 for the inferior–superior (inf‐sup). Then, the relative pressure from the belt gating system correlated well with the 4D electromagnetic transponder system's motion in the anterior–posterior (ant‐post) and the inf–post directions. These directions have a correlation value of −0.93 and 0.76, while the lateral only had a 0.03 correlation coefficient. Based on our limited study, external surrogates can be used as predictors of the pancreatic motion in the inf–sup and the ant–post directions. Although there is a low correlation on the lateral direction, its motion is significantly shorter. In conclusion, an appropriate treatment delivery can be used for pancreatic cancer when an internal tracking system, such as the 4D electromagnetic transponder system, is unavailable.PACS number: 87.55.kh
An analytical model to determine interseed attenuation effect in low‐dose‐rate brachytherapy
Authors: Safigholi Habib , Sardari Dariush , Jashni Somaye Karimi , Mahdavi Seied Rabi , Meigooni Ali S. 
Published: February 2017

Brachytherapy treatment planning systems (BTPS) are employing the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 43 (TG‐43)‐recommended dosimetric parameters of sources, which are measured in water. The majority of brachytherapy implant volumes are not homogeneous media. Particularly, an implant with multiple seeds significantly changes homogeneity of the implant volume. Heterogeneities, such as attenuation by adjacent seeds or interseed attenuation (ISA), are neglected to this day in all BTPS. The goal of this project is to determine a novel analytical method to evaluate the impact of the dose perturbations (P‐value) and/or interseed attenuation effect (ISA‐value). This method will be validated for low‐ and high‐energy brachytherapy seeds such as and using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation techniques. In this analytical model, determination of dose perturbation and interseed attenuation in a multisource brachytherapy implant is based on MC‐simulated 3D kernels of P‐values and ISA data for single active and single dummy configurations, arranged at different distances and orientations relative to each other. The accuracy of the final model in multisource implant configurations has been examined by a comparison of the calculated P‐values and ISA‐values with full Monte Carlo water simulations (FMCWS). This model enabled us to determine the total perturbation and ISA values for any multisource implant, and the results are in excellent agreement with the FMCWS data. The advantage of this model to FMCWS for daily clinical application is the speed of the calculations and ease of the implementation. The new perturbation and ISA formulism have shown a better accuracy for than due to Compton scattering and its independence of the atomic number of the chemical composition of the phantom materials. The maximum difference between the ISA model and FMCWS for all cases was less than 5%. This new model can provide inputs for brachytherapy planning software to consider the ISA effect in dose calculations based on TG‐43U1 algorithm. This approach is applicable for energy range of to sources.PACS number: 87.53.Jw
Effective dose to patients and staff when using a mobile PET/SPECT system
Authors: Studenski Matthew T. 
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the number of weekly acquisitions permissible using a mobile PET/SPECT scanner for myocardial perfusion/viability imaging in an intensive care unit (ICU) based on the effective dose to patients and staff. The effective dose to other patients and staff in an ICU was calculated following recommendations from the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 108 report (AAPM TG‐108). The number of weekly acquisitions using 555 MBq (15 mCi) Tc‐99m for myocardial perfusion or F‐18 for myocardial viability was determined using the regulatory limits described in the Code of Federal Regulations 10 CFR 20. To increase the number of weekly acquisitions allowed, a reduction in administered dose and portable shielding was considered. A single myocardial perfusion image can be acquired with Tc‐99m each week with a dose reduction to 455 MBq (12.3 mCi) without additional shielding. To acquire a myocardial viability image with F‐18, an activity reduction to 220 MBq (5.9 mCi) is required to meet the regulatory effective dose limit without additional shielding. More than one weekly acquisition can be performed if additional shielding or activity reduction is utilized. A method for calculating dose to patients and staff in an ICU has been developed using conservative assumptions and following AAPM TG‐108. This calculation must be repeated for each individual clinic before any acquisition is performed.PACS number: 87.57.uq
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy and volumetric‐modulated arc therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma after extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy
Authors: Krayenbuehl Jerome , Riesterer Oliver , Graydon Shaun , Dimmerling Peter , Kloeck Stephan , Ciernik Ilja F. 
Published: February 2017

Radiotherapy reduces the local relapse rate after pleuropneumonectomy of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The optimal treatment technique with photons remains undefined. Comparative planning for intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT) was performed. Six MPM patients with significant postoperative intrathoracic air cavities were planned with IMRT and VMAT. A dose comparison for the targets and organ at risks (OAR) was performed. Robustness was assessed in respect to the variation of target dose with change in volume of air cavities. VMAT reduced the dose to the contralateral lung by reducing the volume covered by 13 Gy and 20 Gy by a factor 1.8 and 2.8, in respect to IMRT (). Dose distribution with VMAT was the most stable technique in regard to postsurgical air cavity variation. For IMRT, , and the minimal target dose decreased by 40%, 64%, and 12% compared to 29%, 47%, and 7% with VMAT when air cavity decreased. Two arcs compared to one arc decreased the dose to all the organs at risk (OAR) while leaving PTV dose coverage unchanged. Increasing the number of arcs from two to three did not reduce the dose to the OAR further, but increased the beam‐on time by 50%. Using partial arcs decreased the beam‐on time by 43%. VMAT allows a lower lung dose and is less affected by the air cavity variation than IMRT. The best VMAT plans were obtained with two partial arcs. VMAT seems currently the most suitable technique for the treatment of MPM patients when air cavities are remaining and no adaptive radiotherapy is performed.PACS number: 87.55.D‐
Self‐expanding stent effects on radiation dosimetry in esophageal cancer
Authors: Francis Samual R. , Anker Christopher J. , Wang Brian , Williams Greg V. , Cox Kristen , Adler Douglas G. , Shrieve Dennis C. , Salter Bill J. 
Published: February 2017

It is the purpose of this study to evaluate how self‐expanding stents (SESs) affect esophageal cancer radiation planning target volumes (PTVs) and dose delivered to surrounding organs at risk (OARs). Ten patients were evaluated, for whom a SES was placed before radiation. A computed tomography (CT) scan obtained before stent placement was fused to the post‐stent CT simulation scan. Three methods were used to represent pre‐stent PTVs: 1) image fusion (IF), 2) volume approximation (VA), and 3) diameter approximation (DA). PTVs and OARs were contoured per RTOG 1010 protocol using Eclipse Treatment Planning software. Post‐stent dosimetry for each patient was compared to approximated pre‐stent dosimetry. For each of the three pre‐stent approximations (IF, VA, and DA), the mean lung and liver doses and the estimated percentages of lung volumes receiving 5 Gy, 10 Gy, 20 Gy, and 30 Gy, and heart volumes receiving 40 Gy were significantly lower (p‐values ) than those estimated in the post‐stent treatment plans. The lung V5, lung V10, and heart V40 constraints were achieved more often using our pre‐stent approximations. Esophageal SES placement increases the dose delivered to the lungs, heart, and liver. This may have clinical importance, especially when the dose‐volume constraints are near the recommended thresholds, as was the case for lung V5, lung V10, and heart V40. While stents have established benefits for treating patients with significant dysphagia, physicians considering stent placement and radiation therapy must realize the effects stents can have on the dosimetry.PACS number: 87.55.dk
Development of a modified head and neck quality assurance phantom for use in stereotactic radiosurgery trials
Authors: Faught Austin M. , Kry Stephen F. , Luo Dershan , Molineu Andrea , Bellezza David , Gerber Russell L. , Davidson Scott E. , Bosch Walter , Drzymala Robert E. , Galvin Jim , Timmerman Robert , Sheehan Jason , Gillin Michael T. , Ibbott Geoffrey S. , Followill David S. 
Published: February 2017

An anthropomorphic head phantom, constructed from a water‐equivalent plastic shell with only a spherical target, was modified to include a nonspherical target (pituitary) and an adjacent organ at risk (OAR) (optic chiasm), within 2 mm, simulating the anatomy encountered when treating acromegaly. The target and OAR spatial proximity provided a more realistic treatment planning and dose delivery exercise. A separate dosimetry insert contained two TLD for absolute dosimetry and radiochromic film, in the sagittal and coronal planes, for relative dosimetry. The prescription was 25 Gy to 90% of the GTV, with of the OAR volume receiving for the phantom trial. The modified phantom was used to test the rigor of the treatment planning process and phantom reproducibility using a Gamma Knife, CyberKnife, and linear accelerator (linac)‐based radiosurgery system. Delivery reproducibility was tested by repeating each irradiation three times. TLD results from three irradiations on a CyberKnife and Gamma Knife agreed with the calculated target dose to within ± 4% with a maximum coefficient of variation of . Gamma analysis in the coronal and sagittal film planes showed an average passing rate of 99.4% and 99.5% using criteria, respectively. Results from the linac irradiation were within for TLD with a coefficient of variation of . Distance to agreement was calculated to be 1.2 mm and 1.3 mm along the inferior and superior edges of the target in the sagittal film plane, and 1.2 mm for both superior and inferior edges in the coronal film plane. A modified, anatomically realistic SRS phantom was developed that provided a realistic clinical planning and delivery challenge that can be used to credential institutions wanting to participate in NCI‐funded clinical trials.PACS number: 87.55 ‐v
Application of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) to pretreatment phases in tomotherapy
Authors: Broggi Sara , Cantone Marie Claire , Chiara Anna , Muzio Nadia Di , Longobardi Barbara , Mangili Paola , Veronese Ivan 
Published: February 2017

The aim of this paper was the application of the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) approach to assess the risks for patients undergoing radiotherapy treatments performed by means of a helical tomotherapy unit. FMEA was applied to the preplanning imaging, volume determination, and treatment planning stages of the tomotherapy process and consisted of three steps: 1) identification of the involved subprocesses; 2) identification and ranking of the potential failure modes, together with their causes and effects, using the risk probability number (RPN) scoring system; and 3) identification of additional safety measures to be proposed for process quality and safety improvement. RPN upper threshold for little concern of risk was set at 125. A total of 74 failure modes were identified: 38 in the stage of preplanning imaging and volume determination, and 36 in the stage of planning. The threshold of 125 for RPN was exceeded in four cases: one case only in the phase of preplanning imaging and volume determination, and three cases in the stage of planning. The most critical failures appeared related to (i) the wrong or missing definition and contouring of the overlapping regions, (ii) the wrong assignment of the overlap priority to each anatomical structure, (iii) the wrong choice of the computed tomography calibration curve for dose calculation, and (iv) the wrong (or not performed) choice of the number of fractions in the planning station. On the basis of these findings, in addition to the safety strategies already adopted in the clinical practice, novel solutions have been proposed for mitigating the risk of these failures and to increase patient safety.PACS number: 87.55.Qr
Gemstone spectral imaging: determination of CT to ED conversion curves for radiotherapy treatment planning
Authors: Yagi Masashi , Ueguchi Takashi , Koizumi Masahiko , Ogata Toshiyuki , Yamada Sachiko , Takahashi Yutaka , Sumida Iori , Akino Yuichi , Konishi Koji , Isohashi Fumiaki , Tomiyama Noriyuki , Yoshioka Yasuo , Ogawa Kazuhiko 
Published: February 2017

The monochromatic images acquired by Gemstone spectral imaging (GSI) mode on the GE CT750 HD theoretically determines the computed tomography (CT) number more accurately than that of conventional scanner. Using the former, the CT number is calculated from (synthesized) monoenergetic X‐ray data. We reasoned that the monochromatic image might be applied to radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP) to calculate dose distribution more accurately. Our goal here was to provide CT to electron density (ED) conversion curves with monochromatic images for RTP. Therefore, we assessed the reproducibility of CT numbers, an important factor on quality assurance, over short and long time periods for different substances at varying energy. CT number difference between measured and theoretical value was investigated. The scanner provided sufficient reproducibility of CT numbers for dose calculation over short and long time periods. The CT numbers of monochromatic images produced by this scanner had reasonable values for dose calculation. The CT to ED conversion curve becomes linear with respect to the relationship between CT numbers and EDs as the energy increases. We conclude that monochromatic imaging from a fast switching system can be applied for the dose calculation, keeping Hounsfield units (HU) stability.PACS numbers: 87.55.‐x, 87.55.ne, 87.57.N‐, 87.59.bd
Hierarchical enhanced non‐rigid registration for target volume correction and propagation for adaptive external beam radiotherapy of carcinoma of the prostate
Authors: Andronache Adrian , Krayenbuehl Jerome , Szekely Gabor , Ciernik Ilja F. 
Published: February 2017

Volumes change during fractionated radiotherapy (RT). We investigate a tool based on the Hierarchical Enhanced Registration Algorithm (HERA) to project a 3D segmentation set of the prostate into the subsequent imaging sets at any time point during RT by using intensity‐based image registration techniques. Sequential CT sets during RT at 15, 30, 45, and 60 Gy of two patients were used. Five expert clinicians outlined the prostate in a blinded fashion, defining intraobserver and interobserver variability on a set of 35 and 25 scans, respectively. The observer variability and positioning for manual correction was compared to both affine and elastic image registration‐based contour propagation. The overall mean error of the registration‐based correction of the planning target volume was comparable to the interobserver variability of manual target volume definition. The correction by affine image fusion was inferior to the results of elastic registration. The maximal deviation for the interobserver segmentation was 15.4 mm, 10.5 mm for the affine and 8.0 mm for the elastic registration. The mean interobserver variability was for the affine, and for the elastic registration. Intensity‐based elastic registration of deformable anatomical structures with HERA is suitable for the assessment of changes of prostate volumes for the purpose of target propagation and adaptive radiotherapy.PACS number: 87.57.nj
Migration from full‐head mask to “open‐face” mask for immobilization of patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Li Guang , Lovelock D. Michael , Mechalakos James , Rao Shyam , Della‐Biancia Cesar , Amols Howard , Lee Nancy 
Published: February 2017

To provide an alternative device for immobilization of the head while easing claustrophobia and improving comfort, an “open‐face” thermoplastic mask was evaluated using video‐based optical surface imaging (OSI) and kilovoltage (kV) X‐ray radiography. A three‐point thermoplastic head mask with a precut opening and reinforced strips was developed. After molding, it provided sufficient visible facial area as the region of interest for OSI. Using real‐time OSI, the head motion of ten volunteers in the new mask was evaluated during mask locking and 15 minutes lying on the treatment couch. Using a nose mark with reference to room lasers, forced head movement in open‐face and full‐head masks (with a nose hole) was compared. Five patients with claustrophobia were immobilized with open‐face masks, set up using OSI and kV, and treated in 121 fractions, in which 61 fractions were monitored during treatment using real‐time OSI. With the open‐face mask, head motion was found to be and in volunteers during the experiment, and and in patients during treatment. These agree with patient motion calculated from pre‐/post‐treatment OSI and kV data using different anatomical landmarks. In volunteers, the head shift induced by mask‐locking was and , and the range of forced movements in the open‐face and full‐head masks were found to be similar. Most (80%) of the volunteers preferred the open‐face mask to the full‐head mask, while claustrophobic patients could only tolerate the open‐face mask. The open‐face mask is characterized for its immobilization capability and can immobilize patients sufficiently during radiotherapy. It provides a clinical solution to the immobilization of patients with head and neck (HN) cancer undergoing radiotherapy, and is particularly beneficial for claustrophobic patients. This new open‐face mask is readily adopted in radiotherapy clinic as a superior alternative to the standard full‐head mask.PACS numbers: 87.19.xj, 87.63.L‐, 87.59.‐e, 87.55.tg, 87.55.‐x
Evaluation of two synchronized external surrogates for 4D CT sorting
Authors: Glide‐Hurst Carri K. , Smith Megan Schwenker , Ajlouni Munther , Chetty Indrin J. 
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to quantify the performance and agreement between two different external surrogate acquisition systems: Varian's Real‐Time Position Management (RPM) and Philips Medical Systems' pneumatic bellows, in the context of waveform and 4D CT image analysis. Eight patient displacement curves derived from RPM data were inputted into a motion platform with varying amplitudes (0.5 to 3 cm) and patterns. Simultaneous 4D CT acquisition, with synchronized X‐ray on detection, was performed with the bellows and RPM block placed on the platform. Bellows data were used for online retrospective phase‐based sorting, while RPM data were used for off‐line reconstruction of raw 4D CT data. RPM and bellows breathing curves were resampled, normalized, and analyzed to determine associations between different external surrogates, relative amplitude differences, and system latency. Maximum intensity projection (MIP) images were generated, phantom targets were delineated, and volume differences, overlap index, and Dice similarity coefficient differences were evaluated. A prospective patient study of ten patients was performed and waveforms were evaluated for latency (i.e., absolute time differences) and overall agreement. 4D CT sorting quality and subtraction images were assessed. Near perfect associations between the RPM and bellows‐acquired breathing traces were found . Target volumes were for RPM and bellows targets, respectively, which was not significantly different . Negligible centroid variations were observed between bellows and RPM‐contoured MIP targets ( in superior‐inferior direction). The maximum volume difference was observed for an RPM target 2.5 cc (1%) less than bellows, yielding the largest difference in centroid displacement (0.9 mm). Strong correlations in bellows and RPM waveforms were observed for all patients . Latency between external surrogates was for phantom and patient data. Negligible differences were observed between MIP, end‐exhale, and end‐inhale phase images for all cases, with delineated RPM and bellows lung volumes demonstrating a mean difference of . Dice similarity coefficients and overlap indices were near unity for phantom target volumes and patient lung volumes. Slight differences were observed in waveform and latency analysis between Philips bellows and Varian's RPM, although these did not translate to differences in image quality or impact delineations. Therefore, the two systems were found to be equivalent external surrogates in the context of 4D CT for treatment planning purposes.PACS numbers: 87.57.Q‐, 07.07.Df
A new approach for the pixel map sensitivity (PMS) evaluation of an electronic portal imaging device (EPID)
Authors: Boriano Alberto , Lucio Francesco , Calamia Elisa , Russi Elvio , Marchetto Flavio 
Published: February 2017

When using an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) for dosimetric verifications, the calibration of the sensitive area is of paramount importance. Two calibration methods are generally adopted: one, empirical, based on an external reference dosimeter or on multiple narrow beam irradiations, and one based on the EPID response simulation. In this paper we present an alternative approach based on an intercalibration procedure, independent from external dosimeters and from simulations, and is quick and easy to perform. Each element of a detector matrix is characterized by a different gain; the aim of the calibration procedure is to relate the gain of each element to a reference one. The method that we used to compute the relative gains is based on recursive acquisitions with the EPID placed in different positions, assuming a constant fluence of the beam for subsequent deliveries. By applying an established procedure and analysis algorithm, the EPID calibration was repeated in several working conditions. Data show that both the photons energy and the presence of a medium between the source and the detector affect the calibration coefficients less than 1%. The calibration coefficients were then applied to the acquired images, comparing the EPID dose images with films. Measurements were performed with open field, placing the film at the level of the EPID. The standard deviation of the distribution of the point‐to‐point difference is 0.6%. An approach of this type for the EPID calibration has many advantages with respect to the standard methods — it does not need an external dosimeter, it is not related to the irradiation techniques, and it is easy to implement in the clinical practice. Moreover, it can be applied in case of transit or nontransit dosimetry, solving the problem of the EPID calibration independently from the dose reconstruction method.PACS number: 87.56.‐v