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Uncertainty in organ delineation using low-dose computed tomography images with high-strength iterative reconstruction technique in radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 October 2021

Tsukasa Yoshida*
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi, Sunto, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan Department of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan
Tetsuya Tomida
Affiliation:
Radiation and Proton therapy Center, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi, Sunto, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan
Atsushi Urikura
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi, Sunto, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan
Yuki Aoyama
Affiliation:
Radiation and Proton therapy Center, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi, Sunto, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan
Yoichiro Hosokawa
Affiliation:
Department of Radiological Life Sciences, Division of Medical Life Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan
Masahiro Hanmura
Affiliation:
Radiation and Proton therapy Center, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi, Sunto, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan
Masahiro Endo
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi, Sunto, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan
*
Author for correspondence:Tsukasa Yoshida, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, 1007 Shimonagakubo, Nagaizumi, Sunto, Shizuoka, 411-8777, Japan. Tel: +81-55-989-5222. Fax: +81-55-989-5783. E-mail: ts.yoshida@scchr.jp

Abstract

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the uncertainty in organ delineation of low-dose computed tomography (CT) images using a high-strength iterative reconstruction (IR) during radiotherapy planning for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Methods

Two CT datasets were prepared with different dose levels by adjusting the reconstruction slice thickness. Two observers independently delineated the prostate, seminal vesicles, bladder and rectum on both images without referring to other modality images. The delineated organ volumes were compared between both images. Observer delineation variability was assessed using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean distance to agreement.

Results

No significant differences regarding the delineated organ volumes were observed between the low- and standard-dose images for all organs. Regarding inter-observer variability, the DSC was relatively high for both images, whereas mean distance to agreement was not significantly different between images (p > 0·05 for all). Intra-observer variability for each observer showed high DSC (>0·8 and >0·9 for seminal vesicles and other organs, respectively) but no significant differences in the mean distance to agreement (p > 0·05 for all).

Conclusions

Our results indicate that low-dose CT images with high-strength IR would be available for organ delineation in the radiotherapy treatment planning for prostate cancer.

Type
Original Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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