Impact of Computed Tomography Slice Thickness on Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Plan

$\underline{Purpose}$: This study was to search the optimal slice thickness of computed tomography (CT) in an intensity modulated radiation therapy plan through changing the slice thickness and comparing the change of the calculated absorbed dose with measured absorbed dose. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: An intensity modulated radiation therapy plan for a head and neck cancer patient was done, first of all. Then CT with various ranges of slice thickness ($0.125{\sim}1.0\;cm$) for a head and neck anthropomorphic phantom was done and the images were reconstructed. The plan parameters obtained from the plan of the head and neck cancer patient was applied into the reconstructed images of the phantom and then absorbed doses were calculated. Films were inserted into the phantom, and irradiated with 6 MV X-ray with the same beam data obtained from the head and neck cancer patient. Films were then scanned and isodoses were measured with the use of film measurement software and were compared with the calculated isodeses. $\underline{Results}$: As the slice thickness of CT decreased, the volume of the phantom and the maximum absorbed dose increased. As the slice thickness of CT changed from 0.125 to 1.0 cm, the maximum absorbed dose changed ${\sim}5%$. The difference between the measured and calculated volume of the phantom was small ($3.7{\sim}3.8%$) when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less. The difference between the measured and calculated dose was small ($0.35{\sim}1.40%$) when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less. $\underline{Conclusion}$: Because the difference between the measured and calculated dose in a head and neck phantom was small and the difference between the measured and calculated volume was small when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less, we suggest that the slice thickness of CT should be 0.25 cm or less for an optimal intensity modulated radiation therapy plan.

전산화단층촬영 슬라이스 두께가 세기변조방사선치료계획에 미치는 영향

목 적: 세기변조방사선치료계획에서 전산화단층촬영(computed tomography, CT) 영상의 슬라이스 두께를 변화시켜 계산된 흡수선량의 변화를 측정치와 비교함으로써 최적의 CT 슬라이스 두께를 구하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 두경부암 환자에 대한 세기변조방사선치료계획을 우선 시행하였다. 두경부 인체모형팬톰에 대해서 다양한 슬라이스 두께로($0.125{\sim}1.0\;cm$) CT 영상을 획득하여 재구성하였다. 두경부암 환자의 치료계획에서 획득한 빔 및 동적다엽콜리메이터 작동순서 정보를 재구성된 팬톰에 입력하여 흡수선량을 계산하였다. 팬톰에 필름을 삽입하고, 두경부암 환자에서 얻은 동일한 빔 정보로 방사선 조사를 시행하여 흡수선량을 측정하였다. 필름 계측용 소프트웨어를 이용하여 필름의 흡수선량을 분석한 후, 팬톰 CT영상에서 계산된 선량과 비교하였다. 결 과: CT 슬라이스 두께가 작을수록 선량체적히스토그람에서 팬톰의 체적과 팬톰 내 최대선량이 높게 나타났다. 팬톰 내 최대선량은 CT 슬라이스 두께에 따라 ${\sim}5%$의 차이를 보였다. CT 슬라이스 두께 0.25 cm 이하에서 측정선량과 계산선량의 차이가 가장 작았다. 결 론: 세기변조방사선치료계획에서 CT 슬라이스 두께 변화가 흡수선량 및 체적변화의 연관성을 확인하였다. CT 슬라이스 두께가 작을수록 계산선량과 측정선량 간의 차이가 작았으며, 계산 체적과 측정 체적과의 차이도 작았다. 세기변조방사선치료계획에서 실제 인체와 가까운 체적 및 흡수선량 정보를 획득하기 위해서는 CT슬라이스 두께를 0.25 cm 이하로 함이 적절할 것으로 생각된다.