四维CT定位技术在早期肺癌靶区勾画中应用研究

目的 放射治疗是不能耐受或不愿手术的早期肺癌患者的主要治疗手段,精确定位是影响早期肺癌的关键.本研究早期肺癌患者行常规三维CT扫描和四维CT(four-dimensional computed tomography,4D-CT)扫描后,勾画得到各呼吸时相图像和最大密度投影图像的大体肿瘤体积(gross tumor volume,GTV),探讨早期肺癌靶区勾画的最佳途径.方法 选取青岛市中心(肿瘤)医院2016-01-01-2016-09-30的10例早期肺癌患者行4D-CT定位,将整个呼吸周期平均分为10个时相,分别为CT0、CT10、......CT90,其中CT0为吸气末,CT50为呼气末.在4D-CT图像的基础上得到最大密度投影图像,并分别在4D-CT不同时相和最大密度投影图像上勾画靶区.以整个呼吸周期10个呼吸时相靶区体积叠加为参考,比较不同状态下得到的GTV体积.结果 最大密度投影、两极限时相图像叠加分别与参考GTV体积比值为0.86±0.077和0.848±0.074,靶区中心点位移X为0.105±0.079和0.037±0.031,Y为0.134±0.102和0.104±0.095,Z为0.107±0.107和0.051±0.055.结论 最大密度投影和两极限时相图像叠加与参考图像靶区较为相似,可用来帮助勾画靶区.     

基于3D-CT与4D-CT勾画保留乳房手术后全乳靶区的比较研究

目的探讨基于三维CT(3D-CT)与四维CT(4D-CT)勾画的乳腺癌保留乳房手术后全乳靶区(CTV)的差异性。方法对13例保留乳房手术后患者于CT模拟定位时序贯完成胸部3D-CT和4D-CT扫描,并依据实时位置管理系统(RPM)同步采集的呼吸信号将每个呼吸周期的4D-CT图像分为10个呼吸时相。将图像传入Eclipse计划系统,以4D-CT的吸气末(T0)时相为基准,其余9个时相的9套图像(T10、T20、30……T90)、最大密度投影图像(MIP)及3D-CT图像分别与之配准。同一勾画者分别于两个不同时间,在4D-CT的T0图像上勾画源于3D-CT、T0、呼气中(T20)、呼气末(T50)及MIP图像上的全乳靶区。之后,在4D-CT的T0图像上勾画源于3D-CT、4D-CT及MIP图像上的全乳靶区,并分别定义为CTV3D、CTV0、CTV10……CTV90和CTVMIP。最后,将4D-CT的CTV0、CTV10、CTV20……CTV90融合得到融合靶区(internalclinicaltargetvolume,ICTV)。比较4D-CT不同时相图勾画的全乳靶区后,选取其中具有代表性的T0、T20、T50、MIP图像与3D-CT图像相比。比较同一勾画者的勾画差异性以及基于3D-CT与4D-CT勾画的全乳CTV体积、匹配指数(MI)和包含度(DI)的差异性。计量资料比较采用t检验或Friedman、Wilcoxon秩和检验。结果无论基于3D-CT还是基于4D-CT,同一放射治疗医师勾画的靶区体积差异无统计学意义(P均>0.050)。呼吸运动对4D-CT10个时相的CTV体积大小无明显影响(P>0.050)。CTV3D、CTV0、CTV20、CTV50、CTVMIP体积的中位数分别为708.11、721.29、725.04、723.89、728.69cm3。CTV3D与CTV0、CTV20、CTV50、CTVMIP体积差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.050);CTV3D与CTV0、CTV20、CTV50的MI中位数分别为0.88、0.86和0.86,4D-CT不同时相CTV与CTV3D的MI差异无统计学意义(x2=0.462,P=0.794)。CTV3D对CTV0、CTV20、CTV50的DI中位数分别为0.94、0.93和0.92,CTV0、CTV20、CTV50对CTV3D的DI中位数分别为0.95、0.95和0.94,CTV3D与4D-CT不同时相CTV的DI差异无统计学意义(P均>0.050)。ICTV体积的中位数为793.56cm3,ICTV体积明显>CTV3D(Z=-3.180,P=0.001),CTV3D与ICTV的MI中位数为0.86。CTV3D对ICTV和ICTV对CTV3D的DI分别为0.91和0.96,两者之间差异有统计学意义(Z=-3.180,P=0.001)。ICTV体积明显>CTVMIP体积(Z=-3.180,P=0.001),两者之间DI差异有统计学意义(Z=-3.180,P=0.001),ICTV与CTVMIP的MI中位数为0.93。结论在勾画标准一致的情况下,同一勾画者所勾画的全乳靶区不受CT扫描方式的影响。3D-CT扫描所采集的呼吸运动信息有限,呼吸运动对内靶区(ITV)的构建影响显著,基于4D-CT扫描图像构建ITV更合理。     

四维与三维CT模拟定位确定食管癌原发肿瘤靶区位移和体积的比较研究

目的 比较四维CT(four-dimensional computed tomography,4D-CT)和三维CT(three-dimensional CT,3D-CT)模拟定位技术确定食管癌原发肿瘤的位移和体积.方法 前瞻性入组22例经病理证实的拟行调强放疗的食管癌患者序贯完成3D-CT和4D-CT模式下胸部模拟定位增强扫描.比较3种不同方法获得的食管肿瘤内在大体肿瘤靶区体积(internal gross tumor target volume,IGTV):4D-CT的10个呼吸时相的GTV得到IGTV4D;4D-CT的吸气末和呼气末时相GTV融合得到IGTV4D';基于3D-CT的GTV再依据4D-CT测得的靶区运动范围外扩得到IGTV3D.比较IGTV4D、IGTV4D、和IGTV3D三维方向的位移差异.计算不同段食管癌原发肿瘤靶区IGTV4D与IGTV3D和IGTV4D'的相似度指数(dice similarity coefficient,DSC)和交叉指数(overlap index,OI).结果 胸中段和胸中下段原发肿瘤10个时相上的靶区中心在左右、前后和头足方向的位移比较差异均具有统计学意义(均P＜0.01).食管癌原发肿瘤体积IGTV3D＞ IGTV4D＞ IGTV4D'(P＜0.05).设定IGTV4D为食管肿瘤的金标准,IGV3D有9.1％ ～24.1％周围正常组织可能受到不必要的照射;IGTV4D'有10.5％ ～ 34.5％肿瘤靶区可能被漏照.结论 在食管癌调强放疗模拟定位中,4D-CT模拟定位技术优于3 D-CT模拟定位技术.     

4D Proton treatment planning strategy for mobile lung tumors

PURPOSE: To investigate strategies for designing compensator-based 3D proton treatment plans for mobile lung tumors using four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) images. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Four-dimensional CT sets for 10 lung cancer patients were used in this study. The internal gross tumor volume (IGTV) was obtained by combining the tumor volumes at different phases of the respiratory cycle. For each patient, we evaluated four planning strategies based on the following dose calculations: (1) the average (AVE) CT; (2) the free-breathing (FB) CT; (3) the maximum intensity projection (MIP) CT; and (4) the AVE CT in which the CT voxel values inside the IGTV were replaced by a constant density (AVE_RIGTV). For each strategy, the resulting cumulative dose distribution in a respiratory cycle was determined using a deformable image registration method. RESULTS: There were dosimetric differences between the apparent dose distribution, calculated on a single CT dataset, and the motion-corrected 4D dose distribution, calculated by combining dose distributions delivered to each phase of the 4DCT. The AVE_RIGTV plan using a 1-cm smearing parameter had the best overall target coverage and critical structure sparing. The MIP plan approach resulted in an unnecessarily large treatment volume. The AVE and FB plans using 1-cm smearing did not provide adequate 4D target coverage in all patients. By using a larger smearing value, adequate 4D target coverage could be achieved; however, critical organ doses were increased. CONCLUSION: The AVE_RIGTV approach is an effective strategy for designing proton treatment plans for mobile lung tumors.     

Use of maximum intensity projections (MIP) for target volume generation in 4DCT scans for lung cancer

PURPOSE: Single four-dimensional CT (4DCT) scans reliably capture intrafractional tumor mobility for radiotherapy planning, but generating internal target volumes (ITVs) requires the contouring of gross tumor volumes (GTVs) in up to 10 phases of a 4DCT scan, as is routinely performed in our department. We investigated the use of maximum intensity projection (MIP) protocols for rapid generation of ITVs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 4DCT data from a mobile phantom and from 12 patients with Stage I lung cancer were analyzed. A single clinician contoured GTVs in all respiratory phases of a 4DCT, as well as in three consecutive phases selected for respiratory gating. MIP images were generated from both phantom and patient data, and ITVs were derived from encompassing volumes of the respective GTVs. RESULTS: In the phantom study, the ratio between ITVs generated from all 10 phases and those from MIP scans was 1.04. The corresponding center of mass of both ITVs differed by less than 1 mm. In scans from patients, good agreement was observed between ITVs derived from 10 and 3 (gating) phases and corresponding MIPs, with ratios of 1.07 +/- 0.05 and 0.98 +/- 0.05, respectively. In addition, the center of mass of the respective ITVs differed by only 0.4 and 0.5 mm. CONCLUSION: MIPs are a reliable clinical tool for generating ITVs from 4DCT data sets, thereby permitting rapid assessment of mobility for both gated and nongated 4D radiotherapy in lung cancer.     

Four-dimensional image-based treatment planning: Target volume segmentation and dose calculation in the presence of respiratory motion

PURPOSE: To describe approaches to four-dimensional (4D) treatment planning, including acquisition of 4D-CT scans, target delineation of spatio-temporal image data sets, 4D dose calculations, and their analysis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study included patients with thoracic and hepatocellular tumors. Specialized tools were developed to facilitate visualization, segmentation, and analysis of 4D-CT data: maximum intensity volume to define the extent of lung tumor motion, a 4D browser to examine and dynamically assess the 4D data sets, dose calculations, including respiratory motion, and deformable registration to combine the dose distributions at different points. RESULTS: Four-dimensional CT was used to visualize and quantitatively assess respiratory target motion. The gross target volume contours derived from light breathing scans showed significant differences compared with those extracted from 4D-CT. Evaluation of deformable registration using difference images of original and deformed anatomic maps suggested the algorithm is functionally useful. Thus, calculation of effective dose distributions, including respiratory motion, was implemented. CONCLUSION: Tools and methods to use 4D-CT data for treatment planning in the presence of respiratory motion have been developed and applied to several case studies. The process of 4D-CT-based treatment planning has been implemented, and technical barriers for its routine use have been identified.     

4D-CT特殊重建图像对乳腺癌放疗心脏结构剂量评估影响的研究

目的:通过比较4D-CT图像及特殊重建图像在评估心脏结构"剂量-体积"指标中的差异,探讨不同重建图像对心脏剂量评估的影响。方法:选取15例女性左侧乳腺癌患者行心电门控4D-CT图像扫描,以心动周期5%为间隔重建0～95% 20个时相的图像。将4D-CT图像进行特殊重建,得到最大密度投影(MIP)、最小密度投影(MinI...     

Analysis of carina position as surrogate marker for delivering phase-gated radiotherapy

PURPOSE: Respiratory gating can mitigate the effect of tumor mobility in radiotherapy (RT) for lung cancer. Because the tumor is generally not visualized, external surrogates of tumor position are used to trigger respiration-gated RT. We evaluated the suitability of the carina position as a surrogate in respiration-gated RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 30 four-dimensional (4D) computed tomography (CT) scans from 14 patients with lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Both uncoached (free breathing) and audio-coached 4D-CT scans were acquired from 9 patients, and 12 uncoached 4D-CT scans were acquired from 5 other patients during a 2-4-week period of stereotactic RT. The repeat scans were co-registered. The carina position was identified on the coronal cut planes in all 4D-CT phases. The correlation between the carina position and the total lung volume for each phase was determined, and the reproducibility of the carina position was studied in the 5 patients with repeat uncoached 4D-CT scans. RESULTS: The mean extent of carina motion in 21 uncoached scans was 5.3 +/- 1.6 mm in the craniocaudal (CC), 2.3 +/- 1.4 mm in the anteroposterior, and 1.5 +/- 0.7 mm in the mediolateral direction. Audio coaching resulted in a twofold increase in carina mobility in all directions. The CC carina position correlated with changes in the total lung volume (R = 0.89 +/- 0.14), but the correlation was better for the audio-coached than for the uncoached 4D-CT scans (R = 0.93 +/- 0.08 vs. R = 0.85 +/- 0.17; paired t test, p = 0.034). Preliminary data from the 5 patients indicated that the CC carina motion correlated better with tumor motion than did the motion of the diaphragm. CONCLUSIONS: The CC position of the carina correlated well with the total lung volume, indicating that the carina is a good surrogate for verifying the total lung volume during respiration-gated RT.     

四维CT影像中不同方法勾画肺内病灶作为照射靶区的体积差异

目的 分别在常规三维CT(3DCT)的自由呼吸下任意时相（FCT_0）和四维CT（4DCT）影像上分别勾画肺内孤立性结节作为靶区并分析其体积差别。方法 8例患者（17个原发性肺内结节）和4例患者（转移性结节）分别接受FCT和4DCT扫描,4DCT分别按2、3、4、5、10个等间隔时相、最大密度投影（MIP）重建。对同一个肺结节分别在FCT（FCT_0）和4CDT中的不同时相勾画肿瘤大体体积（GTV_x0, x=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 ,6, 7, 8, 9）。在3DCT中的FCT_0均匀外放1、2、3、4和5 mm形成获得FCT_x（x=1, 2, 3, 4, 5）,分别用2、3、4、5、10个时相上勾画的GTV求并集获得合成GTV即ITV_x（x=2, 3, 4, 5,10）。用配对t检验分别比较FCT_0、MIP与GTV_x0、FCT_x0、ITV_x的差异。结果 与FCT_0相比,4DCT中GTV_x0(x=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)减小21%~32%,GTV_x0 (x=7, 8, 9)减少7%-13% (P<0.05)。在FCT_0基础上外放边界每增加1 mm,FCT_x的绝对体积增加6~9 cm3,增加16%~31%;当外放边界分别为1、2,3、4和5 mm时,FCT_1、FCT_2、FCT_3、FCT_4和FCT_5的体积分别较FCT_0增加27%、68%、96%、141%、198%倍。所有ITV_x体积均大于MIP体积,与MIP相比,ITV_x的体积增加24%-54%; ITV_2、ITV_3均与MIP的体积无明显差别(P>0.05),ITV_4、ITV_5、ITV_10与MIP有明显差别(P<0.05)。结论 同一个肺内病灶通过不同CT影像手段获得的靶区体积有明显差别,在肺癌放疗（特别是立体定向放疗）计划设计时需考虑该差异。     

三维CT与四维CT确定食管癌原发肿瘤内在大体肿瘤体积比较研究

目的 比较基于三维CT (3DCT)和四维CT (4DCT)4种方法确定的食管癌内在大体肿瘤体积(IGTV)位置、体积及匹配指数(MI)的差异。方法 13例食管癌患者于同次CT模拟定位时序贯完成3DCT和4DCT扫描,并依据国际抗癌联盟或美国癌症研究联合会食管分段标准分为胸上段组(A组)和胸中下段组(B组)。采用4种方式获得IGTV:4DCT 10个呼吸时相的GTV融合得到IGTV₁₀;0%和50%时相融合得到IGTV₂;在最大密度投影(MIP)图像上勾画得到IGTV_MIP;基于3DCT图像上GTV依据4DCT图像测得的靶区运动范围外扩得到IGTV_3D。结果 A组左右、前后、上下方向位移差异无统计学意义(0.11、0.09、0.18 cm,χ²=1.06,P=0.589);B组上下方向位移>左右、前后方向(0.47、0.15、0.12 cm,χ²=12.00,P=0.002)。A组IGTV₁₀与IGTV₂、IGTV_3D靶区中心三维方向位移差异均无统计学意义(t=－2.24~0.00,P=0.089~1.000),MI分别为0.88、0.54。B组IGTV₁₀和IGTV_3D靶区中心左右、前后、头脚位移差异无统计学意义(t=－0.80、－0.82、－1.16,P=0.450、0.438、0.285),MI为0.59;而IGTV₁₀和IGTV₂靶区中心位移在左右方向差异有统计学意义(t=2.97,P=0.021),MI为0.86。IGTV_MIP体积10(t=－2.84,P=0.025),IGTV_MIP和IGTV₁₀靶区中心左右、前后、头脚位移差异无统计学意义(t=－0.25、0.84、－1.22,P=0.809、0.429、0.263),IGTV₁₀对IGTV_MIP的MI为0.78。结论 对胸段食管原发肿瘤,基于4DCT图像进行靶区勾画在保证靶区覆盖率的同时缩小了内靶体积,但IGTV₂ 和IGTV_MIP均不能包含食管原发肿瘤的全部运动信息。     

Accuracy and inter-observer variability of 3D versus 4D cone-beam CT based image-guidance in SBRT for lung tumors

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: To analyze the accuracy and inter-observer variability of image-guidance (IG) using 3D or 4D cone-beam CT (CBCT) technology in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung tumors. Materials and methods Twenty-one consecutive patients treated with image-guided SBRT for primary and secondary lung tumors were basis for this study. A respiration correlated 4D-CT and planning contours served as reference for all IG techniques. Three IG techniques were performed independently by three radiation oncologists (ROs) and three radiotherapy technicians (RTTs). Imageguidance using respiration correlated 4D-CBCT (IG-4D) with automatic registration of the planning 4D-CT and the verification 4D-CBCT was considered gold-standard. Results were compared with two IG techniques using 3D-CBCT: 1) manual registration of the planning internal target volume (ITV) contour and the motion blurred tumor in the 3D-CBCT (IGITV); 2) automatic registration of the planning reference CT image and the verification 3DCBCT (IG-3D). Image quality of 3D-CBCT and 4D-CBCT images was scored on a scale of 1-3, with 1 being best and 3 being worst quality for visual verification of the IGRT results. RESULTS: Image quality was scored significantly worse for 3D-CBCT compared to 4D-CBCT: the worst score of 3 was given in 19 % and 7.1 % observations, respectively. Significant differences in target localization were observed between 4D-CBCT and 3D-CBCT based IG: compared to the reference of IG-4D, tumor positions differed by 1.9 mm +/- 0.9 mm (3D vector) on average using IG-ITV and by 3.6 mm +/- 3.2 mm using IG-3D; results of IG-ITV were significantly closer to the reference IG-4D compared to IG-3D. Differences between the 4D-CBCT and 3D-CBCT techniques increased significantly with larger motion amplitude of the tumor; analogously, differences increased with worse 3D-CBCT image quality scores. Inter-observer variability was largest in SI direction and was significantly larger in IG using 3D-CBCT compared to 4D-CBCT: 0.6 mm versus 1.5 mm (one standard deviation). Interobserver variability was not different between the three ROs compared to the three RTTs. CONCLUSIONS: Respiration correlated 4D-CBCT improves the accuracy of image-guidance by more precise target localization in the presence of breathing induced target motion and by reduced interobserver variability.     

Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability for lung cancer target volume delineation in the 4D-CT era

Background and purpose

To investigate inter-observer and intra-observer target volume delineation (TVD) error in 4D-CT imaging of thoracic tumours.

Materials and methods

Primary and nodal gross tumour volumes (GTV) of 10 lung tumours on the 10 respiratory phases of a 4D-CT scan were contoured by six radiation oncologist observers. Inter-observer and intra-observer variability were assessed by the coefficient of variation (COV) and the volume overlap index (VOI). ANOVA was performed to assess differences in inter-observer and intra-observer variability based on patient case difficulty, respiratory phase, physician seniority, and physician observer.

Results

VOI analysis determined that inter-observer was a more significant source of error than intra-observer variability. VOI improved with the use of 4D-CT as compared to conventional CT. ANOVA analysis for COVs found case difficulty (easy versus difficult) to be significant for inter-observer primary tumour and intra-observer nodal disease delineation. Physician seniority, respiratory phase, and individual physician were not found to be significant for TVD error.

Conclusion

Variability in TVD is a major source of error in 4D-CT treatment planning. Development of measures to reduce inter-observer and intra-observer TVD variability are necessary in order to deliver high quality radiotherapy.     

自研发变形配准软件在四维CT图像上确定靶体积的初步临床验证

目的 初步测试自研发变形配准软件在四维CT (4DCT)图像上快速确定临床靶体积(CTV)和呼吸运动内靶体积(ITV)精度,评估其临床应用可行性。
方法 选择临床治疗的 1例肺癌和 1例肝癌的4DCT图像进行实验。用变形配准软件以单一呼吸时相CT图像勾画的CTV为参考自动生成其余呼吸时相的CTV defm ,并与放疗医师在每个呼吸时相CT图像勾画的CTV manu 比较,分析CTV defm 精度与适用范围。用CTV defm 叠加形成复合ITV comp ,并与最大密度投影(MIP) CT图像勾画的ITV MIP 比较轮廓、体积和几何中心位置差异。
结果 肺癌病例10个呼吸时相4DCT图像序列的CTV defm 与CTV manu 体积偏差平均值为(－2.59±5.02)%。与CTV manu 相比,CTV defm 的几何中心三维矢量偏差为(1.04±0.89) mm。肝癌患者ITV comp 与ITV MIP 几何形状和位置几乎重合,体积差别<1%,几何中心三维矢量差别为1.4 mm。
结论 测试变形配准软件系统在4DCT图像上自动生成CTV和呼吸运动ITV精度可满足临床计划设计要求。     

三维运动模体的4DCBCT与4DCT图像配准

目的 研究4DCT与4DCBCT对三维运动模体的成像和配准精度。方法 对CIRS008A模体进行4DCT和4DCBCT扫描。用直径1、2 cm小球模拟不同大小肿瘤,设置小球在三维方向作正弦运动(上下、前后和左右方向振幅分别为±1.0、±0.4、±0.2 cm),运动周期为4 s。勾画图像中的10个时相靶区、IGTV、MIP及平均密度投影(MeanIP)的靶区并测量体积。对4DCT与4DCBCT图像靶体积与小球静止体积V_S及运动体积V_D相比较;刚性配准后分析4DCT与4DCBCT图像靶区的匹配度(MI)。结果 图像中各时相的靶体积均>V_S。小体积小球的4DCT与4DCBCT图像各时相体积均值相对于V_S的变化(35.03%和32.62%)大于大体积小球 22.66%和17%)。ITV和MIP靶区体积略>V_D,MeanIP靶区体积D。小体积小球各时相靶区的平均MI (66.76%)小于大体积小球MI (82.21%);同时IGTV、MIP、MeanIP的MI (77.39%、75.90%、74.47%)也小于大体积小球的IGTV、MIP、MeanIP (90.29%、89.28%、82.74%)。结论 在肿瘤体积较小、运动幅度较大的情况下,谨慎使用4DCT与4DCBCT进行相互间配准比较。     

基于四维CT对肺癌原发灶位移和体积变化相关性研究

目的 探讨自由呼吸状态下基于四维CT的肺癌原发灶位移及其与感兴趣器官和体表标记位移相关性,以及各呼吸时相肿瘤体积与肺脏体积变化相关性.方法 16例肺癌患者进行自由呼吸状态下四维CT模拟定位扫描.以四维CT吸气末图像为基准图像,分别勾画肿瘤、感兴趣解剖结构和体表标志,记录配准后10套图像中的三维坐标.测量和比较各时相大体肿瘤体积( GTV)和肺脏体积以及相关性,测量肿瘤、感兴趣结构及体表标记的三维方向位移并计算三维运动矢量及其相关性.结果 不同肺叶肿瘤运动范围相差较大,肺上叶为0.8～5.0 mm,肺中叶为5.7～5.9 mm,肺下叶为10.2～13.7 mm.肿瘤位移上下方向为(4.3+4.3) mm,大于前后方向(2.2±1.0) mm和左右方向(1.7+1.5) mm (x2=16.22,P=0.000).肿瘤GTV与各感兴趣结构三维运动矢量间均无相关性(r=-0.50～-0.01,P=0.058～-0.961),不同呼吸时相GTV变化与肺脏体积变化也无相关性(r=0.23,P=0.520).结论 不同肺叶肿瘤位移和肿瘤三维方向上位移差异显著,肺癌放疗时内在靶体积外扩边界应基于四维CT测定个体化确定.     

基于3D-CT与4D-CT定义的肝癌计划靶区比较

目的:探讨基于轴位3D-CT和4D-CT定义的肝癌不同计划靶区(PTV)位置与体积的差异。方法:适合三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)的肝癌患者14例,分别行上腹部轴位3D-CT和4D-CT模拟定位扫描。将源于3D-CT的临床靶区(CTV3D)分别采用常规外扩(上下10mm、左右和前后5mm)方式、方向特异性不均匀外扩方式和基于肿瘤三维运动矢量均匀外扩方式构建不同的内靶区(ITV),而后外扩5mm摆位误差,构建PTVconv、PTVspec和PTVvector,将源于4D-CT的10个时相CTV融合构建个体化的内靶区(ITV4D),ITV4D边缘外扩5mm形成PTV4D。分析采用4种不同方式定义的PTV位置与体积的差异。结果:源于3D-CT的3种PTV与PTV4D靶区中心在左右、前后和上下方向上的平均差异<1mm且无统计学意义。PTV4D分别比PTVconv、PTVspec和PTVvector平均减小了32.27%、24.95%和48.08%,差异有统计学意义(P值均<0.001)。结论:基于3D-CT和4D-CT定义的计划靶区中心位置间的差异不明显,个体化外扩的PTV4D体积小于基于3种不同方式外扩的3DPTV。     

Comparison of helical, maximum intensity projection (MIP), and averaged intensity (AI) 4D CT imaging for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) planning in lung cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To compare helical, MIP and AI 4D CT imaging, for the purpose of determining the best CT-based volume definition method for encompassing the mobile gross tumor volume (mGTV) within the planning target volume (PTV) for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in stage I lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with medically inoperable peripheral stage I lung cancer were planned for SBRT. Free-breathing helical and 4D image datasets were obtained for each patient. Two composite images, the MIP and AI, were automatically generated from the 4D image datasets. The mGTV contours were delineated for the MIP, AI and helical image datasets for each patient. The volume for each was calculated and compared using analysis of variance and the Wilcoxon rank test. A spatial analysis for comparing center of mass (COM) (i.e. isocenter) coordinates for each imaging method was also performed using multivariate analysis of variance. RESULTS: The MIP-defined mGTVs were significantly larger than both the helical- (p=0.001) and AI-defined mGTVs (p=0.012). A comparison of COM coordinates demonstrated no significant spatial difference in the x-, y-, and z-coordinates for each tumor as determined by helical, MIP, or AI imaging methods. CONCLUSIONS: In order to incorporate the extent of tumor motion from breathing during SBRT, MIP is superior to either helical or AI images for defining the mGTV. The spatial isocenter coordinates for each tumor were not altered significantly by the imaging methods.     

Correlation between internal fiducial tumor motion and external marker motion for liver tumors imaged with 4D-CT

PURPOSE: We investigated the correlation between the motions of an external marker and internal fiducials implanted in the liver for 8 patients undergoing respiratory-based computed tomography (four-dimensional CT [4D-CT]) procedures. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The internal fiducials were gold seeds, 3 mm in length and 1.2 mm in diameter. Four patients each had one implanted fiducial, and the other four had three implanted fiducials. The external marker was a plastic box, which is part of the Real-Time Position Management System (RPM) used to track the patient's respiration. Each patient received a standard helical CT scan followed by a time-correlated CT-image acquisition (4D-CT). The 4D-CT images were reconstructed in 10 separate phases covering the entire respiratory cycle. RESULTS: The internal fiducial motion is predominant in the superior-inferior direction, with a range of 7.5-17.5 mm. The correlation between external respiration and internal fiducial motion is best during expiration. For 2 patients with their three fiducials separated by a maximum of 3.2 cm, the motions of the fiducials were well correlated, whereas for 2 patients with more widely spaced fiducials, there was less correlation. CONCLUSIONS: In general, there is a good correlation between internal fiducial motion imaged by 4D-CT and external marker motion. We have demonstrated that gating may be best performed at the end of the respiratory cycle. Special attention should be paid to gating for patients whose fiducials do not move in synchrony, because targeting on the correct respiratory amplitude alone would not guarantee that the entire tumor volume is within the treatment field.     

Electromagnetic Transponder Based Tracking and Gating in the Radiotherapeutic Treatment of Thoracic Malignancies

PurposeThis report details our institutional workflow and technique for use of the Calypso electromagnetic transponder system with respiratory gating for localization and tracking of lung tumors during stereotactic radiation therapy for early stage thoracic malignancies.Methods and MaterialsSixteen patients underwent bronchoscopic fiducial placement of 3 transponders in small airways in proximity to the primary tumor. Transponders were placed <19 cm from the most anterior skin location of the patient for appropriate tracking functionality. Patients underwent simulation with 4-dimensional assessment and were treated with transponder based positional gating if tumors moved >5 mm in any direction. Tumor motion <5 mm was not gated and treated using an internal target volume approach. A 5 mm uniform planning target volume was used. Before treatment, fiducial placement and tumor location were verified by daily kilovoltage (kV) and cone beam computed tomography image guidance. Tracking limits were placed based on the movement of the transponders from the centroid of the structures on the maximum intensity projection image. The Calypso treatment system paused treatment automatically if beacons shifted beyond the predefined tracking limits.ResultsAll 16 patients underwent successful implantation of the electromagnetic transponders. Eight patients exhibited tumor motion sufficient to require respiratory gating, and the other 8 patients were treated using a free breathing internal target volume technique. Difficulty with transponder sensing was experienced in 3 patients as a result of anatomic interference with the placement of the sensing arrays; each of these cases was successfully treated after making setup modifications. Triggered imaging of fiducials during treatment was consistent with real-time positioning determined by the Calypso tracking system.ConclusionsRespiratory gated electromagnetic based transponder guided stereotactic body radiation therapy using the workflow described is feasible and well tolerated in selected patients with early stage lung malignancies.     

应用4D-CT技术确定肝癌内靶体积及相关剂量学研究

背景与目的:由于肝脏肿瘤的位移受呼吸运动的影响显著,三维适形放射治疗(three-dimensionaI confomal radiotherapy,3D CRT)难以准确定位靶区.本研究应用4D-CT技术确定个体化肝癌内靶体积(internal target volume,ITV),比较3D计划与4D计划的计划靶体积(planning target volume,PTV)及相关剂量学差异,并评价4D-CT的优势.方法:选择7例原发性肝癌患者,行4D-CT门控扫描,在10个相位的CT图像中分别勾画大体肿瘤体积(gross tumor volume,GTV)和临床靶体积(clinical target volume,CTV).在20%呼吸时相CT图像中利用三维治疗计划系统根据PTV-3D、PTV-4D为每例患者设计两套放疗计划:3D计划与4D计划.PTV-3D由CTV外扩常规的安全边界得到;PTV-4D由10个时相的CTV融合形成的ITV-4D外扩摆位边界(SM)得到.两套计划的处方剂量、射野方式均相同.比较两套计划中靶区体积、靶区与危及器官的剂量学、正常组织并发症概率的差异.结果:PTV-3D、PTV-4D的体积分别为(417.60±197.70)cm3、(331.90±183.10)cm3,后者体积减少20.50%(12.60%～34.40%);两者靶区覆盖率与剂量分布均匀性无显著性差异;4D计划中危及器官(肝、肾、胃、小肠)的受照剂量均较3D计划降低,以肝最为显著.肝V30、V40分别由38.77%、27.32%降至33.59%、22.62%;正常肝平均剂量由24.13 Gy下降为21.50 Gy;肝并发症概率由21.57%下降为15.86%;在不增加正常组织并发症的前提下,4D计划的处方剂量可由(50.57±1.51)Gy提升至(54.86±2.79)Gy,平均提高9.72%(4.00%～16.00%).结论:3D计划存在遗漏靶区或过度扩大靶区的缺陷.应用4D-CT技术可在3D CRT的基础上准确定位肝癌靶区,进一步减少正常组织的受照剂量,并提升靶区剂量.