Title: Comparison of two techniques for target motion evaluation based on 4DCT images

Authors: Yulia Lyatskaya; Kira Rehfeld; Dnyanesh V. Kadam; Hale Caglar; Aaron Allen; Lee M. Chin; Joseph H. Killoran

Addresses: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ' Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. ' Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ' Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Marmara University Medical School Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ' Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Davidoff Cancer Centre, Petah Tikvah, Israel. ' Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ' Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA

Abstract: Two techniques for target motion characterisation based on 4DCT images were evaluated: calculation of the conformality index and a technique based on image subtraction. The outputs for both techniques were shown to correlate with target displacement, indicating the applicability of these techniques for motion characterisation. While conformality index calculation requires target delineation (a time-consuming and subjective process), image subtraction is automatic and objective. In addition, the image subtraction method produces a visual representation of the areas where motion is present between different phases. The procedure has potential for automatic internal target volume definition for radiotherapy treatment purposes.

Keywords: 4DCT images; tumour motion; image subtraction; conformality index; target motion characterisation; radiotherapy treatment; respiratory motion; CT imaging; computed tomography; lung cancer; radiation therapy; medical imaging.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2012.046081

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2012 Vol.8 No.2/3, pp.117 - 137

Published online: 12 Dec 2014 *

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