title: Patient and image data management in positron emission tomography-computed tomography for radiation therapy and therapy response assessment.
abstract: This article provides an overview of the primary considerations of positron emission tomography-computed tomographic (PET-CT) workflows specifically related to patient and image data management in radiation therapy (RT) planning and therapy response assessment. PET-CT has become increasingly integral to the RT planning and therapy response assessment. There are numerous workflow challenges related to integrating PET-CT in the framework of RT planning and therapy assessment. For PET-CT scan used for RT planning, accurate patient positioning and scan registration with the simulation is critical. For therapy assessment PET-CT scans, consistency in patient preparation, scanning and image reconstruction parameters, and image analysis are critical.
authors.affiliation: Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion, Spectrum Health, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. todd.faasse@spectrum-health.org
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Faasse
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shreve
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D055425:Respiratory-Gated Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods; D012449:Safety; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome