title: Comparison of CT images with average intensity projection, free breathing, and mid-ventilation for dose calculation in lung cancer.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare three computed tomography (CT) images under different conditions-average intensity projection (AIP), free breathing (FB), mid-ventilation (MidV)-used for radiotherapy contouring and planning in lung cancer patients. Two image sets derived from four-dimensional CT (4DCT) acquisition (AIP and MidV) and three-dimensional CT with FB were generated and used to plan for 29 lung cancer patients. Organs at risk (OARs) were delineated for each image. AIP images were calculated with 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Planning with the same target coverage was applied to the FB and MidV image sets. Plans with small and large tumors were compared regarding OAR volumes, geometrical center differences in OARs, and dosimetric indices. A gamma index analysis was also performed to compare dose distributions. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in OAR volumes, the geometrical center differences, maximum and mean doses of the OARs between both tumor sizes. For 3DCRT, the gamma analysis results indicated an acceptable dose distribution agreement of 95% with 2%/2 mm criteria. Although, the gamma index results show distinct contrast of dose distribution outside the planning target volume (PTV) in IMRT, but within the PTV, it was acceptable. All three images could be used for OAR delineation and dose calculation in lung cancer. AIP image sets seemed to be suitable for dose calculation while patient movement between series acquisition of FB images should be considered when defining target volumes on 4DCT images.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Department, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy of Science, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chirasak
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Khamfongkhruea
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Department, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy of Science, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sangutid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thongsawad
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Department, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy of Science, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chirapha
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tannanonta
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Department, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy of Science, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sasikarn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chamchod
mesh_terms: D056973:Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D058958:Organs at Risk / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods; D012119:Respiration; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
keywords: 4DCT; average intensity projection; dose calculation; lung cancer; mid-ventilation