• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.100-106
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• 2003

Purpose : To develop a patients' setup verification tool (PSVT) to verify the alignment of the machine and the target isocenters, and the reproduclbility of patients' setup for three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The utilization of this system is evaluated through phantom and patient case studies. Materials and methods : We developed and clinically tested a new method for patients' setup verification, using digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR), simulation, porial and digital images. The PSVT system was networked to a Pentium PC for the transmission of the acquired images to the PC for analysis. To verify the alignment of the machine and target isocenters, orthogonal pairs of simulation images were used as verification images. Errors in the isocenter alignment were measured by comparing the verification images with DRR of CT Images. Orthogonal films were taken of all the patients once a week. These verification films were compared with the DRR were used for the treatment setup. By performing this procedure every treatment, using humanoid phantom and patient cases, the errors of localization can be analyzed, with adjustments made from the translation. The reproducibility of the patients' setup was verified using portal and digital images. Results : The PSVT system was developed to verify the alignment of the machine and the target isocenters, and the reproducibility of the patients' setup for 3DCRT and IMRT. The results show that the localization errors are 0.8$\pm$0.2 mm (AP) and 1.0$\pm$0.3 mm (Lateral) in the cases relating to the brain and 1.1$\pm$0.5 mm (AP) and 1.0$\pm$0.6 mm (Lateral) in the cases relating to the pelvis. The reproducibility of the patients' setup was verified by visualization, using real-time image acquisition, leading to the practical utilization of our software Conclusions : A PSVT system was developed for the verification of the alignment between machine and the target isocenters, and the reproduclbility of the patients' setup in 3DCRT and IMRT. With adjustment of the completed GUI-based algorithm, and a good quality DRR image, our software may be used for clinical applications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2002

Purpose : In order to perform craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in the supine position on patients who are unable to lie in the prone position, a new simulation technique using a CT simulator was developed and its availability was evaluated. Materials and Method : A CT simulator and a 3-D conformal treatment planning system were used to develop CSI in the supine position. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask in the supine position and the entire body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetrie image was then obtained using the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the patients' setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and the body. Virtual fluoroscopy was peformed with the removal of visual obstacles such as the treatment table or the immobilization devices. After the virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment field was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR)/digitally composite radiography (DCR) images from the virtual simulation. The port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for a geometrical verification. Results : CSI in the supine position was successfully peformed in 9 patients. It required less than 20 minutes to construct the immobilization device and to obtain the whole body volumetric images. This made it possible to not only reduce the patients' inconvenience, but also to eliminate the position change variables during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining the CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyeballs and spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. The differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 mm in the vertebral contour. Conclusion : CSI in the supine position is feasible in patients who cannot lie on prone position, such as pediatric patienta under the age of 4 years, patients with a poor general condition, or patients with a tracheostomy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2003

Purpose : A new virtual simulation technique for craniospinal irradiation (CSI) that uses a CT-simulator was developed to improve the accuracy of field and shielding placement as well as patient positioning. Materials and Methods : A CT simulator (CT-SIM) and a 3-D conformal radiation treatment planning system (3D-CRT) were used to develop CSI. The head and neck were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask while the rest of the body was immobilized with a Vac-Loc. A volumetric image was then obtained with the CT simulator. In order to improve the reproducibility of the setup, datum lines and points were marked on the head and body. Virtual fluoroscopy was performed with the removal of visual obstacles, such as the treatment table or immobilization devices. After virtual simulation, the treatment isocenters of each field were marked on the body and on the immobilization devices at the conventional simulation room. Each treatment fields was confirmed by comparing the fluoroscopy images with the digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR) and digitally composited radiography (DCR) images from virtual simulation. Port verification films from the first treatment were also compared with the DRR/DCR images for geometric verification. Results : We successfully performed virtual simulations on 11 CSI patients by CT-SIM. It took less than 20 minutes to affix the immobilization devices and to obtain the volumetric images of the entire body. In the absence of the patient, virtual simulation of all fields took 20 min. The DRRs were in agreement with simulation films to within 5 mm. This not only reducee inconveniences to the patients, but also eliminated position-shift variables attendant during the long conventional simulation process. In addition, by obtaining CT volumetric image, critical organs, such as the eyes and the spinal cord, were better defined, and the accuracy of the port designs and shielding was improved. Differences between the DRRs and the portal films were less than 3 m in the vertebral contour. Conclusion : Our analysis showed that CT simulation of craniospinal fields was accurate. In addition, CT simulation reduced the duration of the patient's immobility. During the planning process. This technique can improve accuracy in field placement and shielding by using three-dimensional CT-aided localization of critical and target structures. Overall, it has improved staff efficiency and resource utilization by standard protocol for craniospinal irradiation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.263-270
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aimed to quantitatively measure the movement of tumors in real-time and evaluate the treatment accuracy, during the treatment of a liver tumor patient, who underwent radiosurgery with a Synchrony Respiratory motion tracking system of a robot CyberKnife. Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 24 liver tumor patients who underwent CyberKnife treatment, which included 64 times of treatment with the Synchrony Respiratory motion tracking system ($Synchrony^{TM}$). The treatment involved inserting 4 to 6 acupuncture needles into the vicinity of the liver tumor in all the patients using ultrasonography as a guide. A treatment plan was set up using the CT images for treatment planning uses. The position of the acupuncture needle was identified for every treatment time by Digitally Reconstructed Radiography (DRR) prepared at the time of treatment planning and X-ray images photographed in real-time. Subsequent results were stored through a Motion Tracking System (MTS) using the Mtsmain.log treatment file. In this way, movement of the tumor was measured. Besides, the accuracy of radiosurgery using CyberKnife was evaluated by the correlation errors between the real-time positions of the acupuncture needles and the predicted coordinates. Results: The maximum and the average translational movement of the liver tumor were measured 23.5 mm and $13.9{\pm}5.5\;mm$, respectively from the superior to the inferior direction, 3.9 mm and $1.9{\pm}0.9mm$, respectively from left to right, and 8.3 mm and $4.9{\pm}1.9\;mm$, respectively from the anterior to the posterior direction. The maximum and the average rotational movement of the liver tumor were measured to be $3.3^{\circ}$ and $2.6{\pm}1.3^{\circ}$, respectively for X (Left-Right) axis rotation, $4.8^{\circ}$ and $2.3{\pm}1.0^{\circ}$, respectively for Y (Crania-Caudal) axis rotation, $3.9^{\circ}$ and $2.8{\pm}1.1^{\circ}$, respectively for Z (Anterior-Posterior) axis rotation. In addition, the average correlation error, which represents the treatment's accuracy was $1.1{\pm}0.7\;mm$. Conclusion: In this study real-time movement of a liver tumor during the radiosurgery could be verified quantitatively and the accuracy of the radiosurgery with the Synchrony Respiratory motion tracking system of robot could be evaluated. On this basis, the decision of treatment volume in radiosurgery or conventional radiotherapy and useful information on the movement of liver tumor are supposed to be provided.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.280-288
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• 2009

This study is to design and produce a detailed model for volume variety of three dimensional reconstruction images and to evaluate the changes of volume, area and the length of the model in the process of the reconstruction of RTP system. CT simulation was operated at the thickness of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10mm and average, standard deviation of scan direction(X), thickness(Y), table movement direction(Z), area(A), and volume(V) of the three dimensional volume rendering, were measured according to the shape and thickness of the phantoms. As a result, at the thickness of 1.25, 2.5min, the phantom's shape decreased maximum 0.13cm(p<0.05) to the direction of X, Y, Z and length, area, volume decreased 0.1cm, $0.8cm^2$, $3.99cm^3$ which led to an approximate image of the phantoms. However, at the thickness of 5, 10mm, the phantom of the original form decreased maximum 0.58cm(p<0.05) and volume, area, length decreased maximum 0.45cm, $8.21cm^2$, $11.03cm^3$. Volume varieties according to the thickness and shape of the phantoms have occurred diversely, when CT simulation was operated, and it is considered that a clinically appropriate volume rendering can be obtained only when the thickness is below 3mm.