Cone beam CT imaging with limited angle of projections and prior knowledge for volumetric verification of non-coplanar beam radiation therapy: A proof of concept study
Journal
Physics in Medicine and Biology
Journal Volume
58
Journal Issue
21
Pages
7777-7789
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
Non-coplanar beams are important for treatment of both cranial and noncranial tumors. Treatment verification of such beams with couch rotation/kicks, however, is challenging, particularly for the application of cone beam CT (CBCT). In this situation, only limited and unconventional imaging angles are feasible to avoid collision between the gantry, couch, patient, and on-board imaging system. The purpose of this work is to develop a CBCT verification strategy for patients undergoing non-coplanar radiation therapy. We propose an image reconstruction scheme that integrates a prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS) technique with image registration. Planning CT or CBCT acquired at the neutral position is rotated and translated according to the nominal couch rotation/translation to serve as the initial prior image. Here, the nominal couch movement is chosen to have a rotational error of 5° and translational error of 8 mm from the ground truth in one or more axes or directions. The proposed reconstruction scheme alternates between two major steps. First, an image is reconstructed using the PICCS technique implemented with total-variation minimization and simultaneous algebraic reconstruction. Second, the rotational/translational setup errors are corrected and the prior image is updated by applying rigid image registration between the reconstructed image and the previous prior image. The PICCS algorithm and rigid image registration are alternated iteratively until the registration results fall below a predetermined threshold. The proposed reconstruction algorithm is evaluated with an anthropomorphic digital phantom and physical head phantom. The proposed algorithm provides useful volumetric images for patient setup using projections with an angular range as small as 60°. It reduced the translational setup errors from 8 mm to generally <1 mm and the rotational setup errors from 5° to <1°. Compared with the PICCS algorithm alone, the integration of rigid registration significantly improved the reconstructed image quality, with a reduction of mostly 2-3 folds (up to 100) in root mean square image error. The proposed algorithm provides a remedy for solving the problem of non-coplanar CBCT reconstruction from limited angle of projections by combining the PICCS technique and rigid image registration in an iterative framework. In this proof of concept study, non-coplanar beams with couch rotations of 45° can be effectively verified with the CBCT technique. ? 2013 Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Algebraic reconstruction; Beam radiation therapy; Iterative framework; Reconstructed image; Reconstruction algorithms; Rigid registration; Treatment verification; Verification Strategy; Algorithms; Errors; Image registration; Iterative methods; Radiotherapy; Image reconstruction; algorithm; article; cone beam computed tomography; head; human; image guided radiotherapy; image processing; image quality; methodology; radiography; rotation; trunk; Algorithms; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Head; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Phantoms, Imaging; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided; Rotation; Torso
Type
journal article