title: CT imaging based digitally reconstructed radiographs and their application in brachytherapy.
abstract: The aim of our study was to develop an algorithm to simulate the digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) calculation process for different beam qualities (photon energies) in the range 50 keV to 12 MeV. This was achieved using volumetric anatomical data for the patient obtained from three-dimensional diagnostic CT images. These DRR images can be used in three-dimensional treatment planning for external beam radiotherapy as well as for brachytherapy in the same way as conventional radiographic films. The advantages of using such DRRs in modern 3D brachytherapy treatment planning are shown. A number of tools are described, illustrating that the application of DRRs in brachytherapy is very useful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics & Engineering, Strahlenklinik, Klinikum Offenbach, Germany. milickovic@aol.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Milickovic
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baltast
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giannouli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lahanas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zamboglou
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017785:Photons; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*