title: A simple method for use in QC of CT for radiation therapy treatment planning.
abstract: A simple procedure for monitoring constancy of spatial measurement and CT number determination from CT images used in radiation therapy treatment planning is described. The procedure uses low-Z material rods glued to the underside of the CT table insert and does not require a special phantom. Measurements are made on the same patient images used for treatment planning. Deviations from predetermined baseline values outside quality control limits of +/- 2 mm in spatial resolution and +/- 20 CT numbers in density can be detected with a confidence level of 97% or better.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109-0010.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Niklason
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Ten Haken
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008961:Models, Structural; D011786:Quality Control; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*