Purpose: To assess differences between frame-based and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-defined stereotactic space and to identify predictors of the observed findings.
Methods and materials: Differences between frame-based and CBCT-defined stereotactic space after image co-registration were reviewed for 529 patients. Treatment planning system reported the information about the shifts in X, Y, and Z coordinates of the center of the stereotactic space (i.e., coordinate X = 100 mm, Y = 100 mm, and Z = 100 mm) defined by the frame, and the maximum shot displacement (MSD) in mm. We collected the potential predictors of the differences. In total, 19 factors were investigated. We used multiple linear regression to evaluate associations with the increased differences.
Results: Rotational and translational shifts greater than 1° and 1 mm, respectively, were observed in 2.6% of patients. At the same time, a decrease in tumor coverage of more than 5% was detected in 8.3% of cases. It was revealed that the higher fiducial errors (both mean and maximum), the greater weight of the patient, and the lower Karnofsky Performance Scale were predictors of increased rotational, translational shifts, and the MSD.
Keywords: CBCT; Leksell Gamma Knife Icon; MRI fiducial errors; spatial shifts; stereotactic frame; stereotactic space.
© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, LLC on behalf of The American Association of Physicists in Medicine.