Dose Reduction and Low-Contrast Detectability Using Iterative CBCT Reconstruction Algorithm for Radiotherapy

• Published in: Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment Vol. 21; p. 15330338211067312
• Main Authors: Washio, Hayate, Ohira, Shingo, Funama, Yoshinori, Ueda, Yoshihiro, Morimoto, Masahiro, Kanayama, Naoyuki, Isono, Masaru, Inui, Shoki, Nitta, Yuya, Miyazaki, Masayoshi, Teshima, Teruki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2022; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Algorithms; Anthropometry; Biomarkers; Computed tomography; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography - methods; Contrast Media; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens; Original; Original Article; Pelvis; Pelvis - diagnostic imaging; Phantoms, Imaging; Radiation therapy; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted - methods; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided - methods; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided - standards; RC254-282; Registration; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Statistical analysis; dose reduction; low-contrast detectability; radiotherapy; iterative CBCT; registration error
• ISSN: 1533-0346; 1533-0338; 1533-0338
• DOI: 10.1177/15330338211067312

Introduction: Several studies have reported the relation between the imaging dose and secondary cancer risk and have emphasized the need to minimize the additional imaging dose as low as reasonably achievable. The iterative cone-beam computed tomography (iCBCT) algorithm can improve the image quality by utilizing scatter correction and statistical reconstruction. We investigate the use of a novel iCBCT reconstruction algorithm to reduce the patient dose while maintaining low-contrast detectability and registration accuracy. Methods: Catphan and anthropomorphic phantoms were analyzed. All CBCT images were acquired with varying dose levels and reconstructed with a Feldkamp–Davis–Kress algorithm-based CBCT (FDK-CBCT) and iCBCT. The low-contrast detectability was subjectively assessed using a 9-point scale by 4 reviewers and objectively assessed using structure similarity index (SSIM). The soft tissue-based registration error was analyzed for each dose level and reconstruction technique. Results: The results of subjective low-contrast detectability found that the iCBCT acquired at two-thirds of a dose was superior to the FDK-CBCT acquired at a full dose (6.4 vs 5.4). Relative to FDK-CBCT acquired at full dose, SSIM was higher for iCBCT acquired at one-sixth dose in head and head and neck region while equivalent with iCBCT acquired at two-thirds dose in pelvis region. The soft tissue-based registration was 2.2 and 0.6 mm for FDK-CBCT and iCBCT, respectively. Conclusion: Use of iCBCT reconstruction algorithm can generally reduce the patient dose by approximately two-thirds compared to conventional reconstruction methods while maintaining low-contrast detectability and accuracy of registration.