A method to analyze the cord geometrical uncertainties during head and neck radiation therapy using cone beam CT

Radiother Oncol. 2009 Feb;90(2):228-30. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2008.08.013. Epub 2008 Oct 22.

Abstract

We developed a method to analyze quantitatively the residual cord geometrical uncertainties after image registration during head and neck radiation therapy by using sequential cone beam CT (CBCT). The geometrical centroid line of cervical spinal canal was computed to serve as a cord surrogate. We found that the cord motions were non-uniform from C1 to C6, and that the patterns of motion were variable across patients. This method has potential applications in monitoring cord setup accuracy and in designing treatment margins.

MeSH terms

  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Movement
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted*
  • Spinal Canal / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord / diagnostic imaging*