Systematisation of spatial uncertainties for comparison between a MR and a CT-based radiotherapy workflow for prostate treatments.
BACKGROUND
In the present work we compared the spatial uncertainties associated with a MR-based workflow for external radiotherapy of prostate cancer to a standard CT-based workflow. The MR-based workflow relies on target definition and patient positioning based on MR imaging. A solution for patient transport between the MR scanner and the treatment units has been developed. For the CT-based workflow, the target is defined on a MR series but then transferred to a CT study through image registration before treatment planning, and a patient positioning using portal imaging and fiducial markers.


METHODS
An "open bore" 1.5T MRI scanner, Siemens Espree, has been installed in the radiotherapy department in near proximity to a treatment unit to enable patient transport between the two installations, and hence use the MRI for patient positioning. The spatial uncertainty caused by the transport was added to the uncertainty originating from the target definition process, estimated through a review of the scientific literature. The uncertainty in the CT-based workflow was estimated through a literature review.


RESULTS
The systematic uncertainties, affecting all treatment fractions, are reduced from 3-4 mm (1Sd) with a CT based workflow to 2-3 mm with a MR based workflow. The main contributing factor to this improvement is the exclusion of registration between MR and CT in the planning phase of the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment planning directly on MR images reduce the spatial uncertainty for prostate treatments.
Nyholm
Tufve
T
Department of radiation sciences (Oncology), Umeå University Hospital, 90187 Umeå, Sweden. tufve.nyholm@radfys.umu.se
Nyberg
Morgan
M
Karlsson
Magnus G
MG
Karlsson
Mikael
M
D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D035501:Uncertainty