Biomedical subjects

E M Donovan

Publications and source records attributed to E M Donovan.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Accuracy and precision of an external-marker tracking-system for radiotherapy treatments.

The purpose of this work was to determine the accuracy and precision of a real-time motion-tracking system (Osiris+) for the monitoring of external markers used on patients receiving radiotherapy treatments. Random and systematic errors in the system were evaluated for linear (1D), circular (2D) and elliptical (3D) continuous motions, and for a set of static positions offset from an origin. A Wellhofer beam data measurement system and a computer controlled platform (which could be programmed to give motion in 3D) were used to move a hemi-spherical test object. The test object had four markers of the type used on patients. Three markers were aligned in the central plane and a fourth was positioned out of plane. Errors were expressed as deviations from the planned positions at the sampled time points. The marked points on the test object were tracked for the linear motion case with a variation from the true position of less than +/-1 mm, except for two extreme situations. The variation was within +/-2 mm when the lights were dimmed and when the amplitude of the movement was +/-5.0 cm. The 2D circular motion was tracked with a standard deviation of 1 mm or less over four cycles. The sampling rates of the system were found to be 0.3-0.4 s when it was monitoring actively and 1.5-1.6 s otherwise. The recorded Osiris+ measurements of known static positions were within +/-1 mm of the value from the computer controlled platform moving the test object. The elliptical motions in 3D were tracked to +/-1 mm in two directions (Y,Z), and generally to within +/-2 mm for the third direction (X); however, specific marked points could display an error of up to 5 mm at certain positions in X. The overall displacement error for the 3D motion was +/-1 mm with a standard deviation of 2.5 mm. The system performance is satisfactory for use in tracking external marker motion during radiotherapy treatments.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of a lung fitting algorithm with CT data for tangential fields in radiotherapy of the breast.

A method of estimating the shape and position of the lung in tangential breast fields is presented for patients who have not been CT scanned. Using the Osiris system, the external contour is obtained optically, and an estimated lung structure superimposed on the transverse outlines based on the measured lung depth in the tangential fields and an analysis of the typical lung shapes obtained from CT images. The accuracy of this fit was determined by comparison with a set of 64 CT images imported into the Osiris system. Dose distributions were calculated by two treatment planning systems: ADAC Pinnacle and GE Target2. The computed dose distributions for 6 MV photons were compared against measured doses in a specialized breast phantom. For the worst case of lung fit compared with CT, the dosimetric error (based upon ADAC Pinnacle calculations) was 2.0% in the shadow of the lung. For the complete patient data set, the relative dose errors to these points were reduced from a mean value of 8.4% and standard deviation (SD)=1.8% (no lung correction) to a mean of 0.2% and SD=1.0% (lung correction using fitted lung). It was also found that for every 1 cm of lung path length the dose to the breast along that path length increased by approximately 1%. The results of these investigations indicated that the lung fit model was satisfactory for routine clinical use, so that good dosimetric results can be obtained using lung correction without the need for CT imaging.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2002

Dose-position and dose-volume histogram analysis of standard wedged and intensity modulated treatments in breast radiotherapy.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the positional distribution of dose in a concise manner and to analyse dose-histogram results in tangential breast radiotherapy in 300 patients, randomized to standard wedged or intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), for future correlation with clinical outcome data. A simple method for analysing the dose-position relationship in the treatment volume was used to compare the spatial distribution of dose in patients. The breast was divided into equal thirds (upper, middle and lower) and dose was assessed using three dose bands; 95-105%, >105-110% and >110% of the prescription dose. The effect of using IMRT on the dosimetry was assessed from dose-volume histogram data using the following parameters: percentage of the target volume receiving a dose less than 95%, greater than 105%, either less than 95% or greater than 105% of that prescribed; the mean dose; and the maximum dose. Doses greater than 105% were predominantly in the upper and lower regions of the breast in the standard wedged treatment. 96% of these patients received doses greater than 105% in the upper region of the breast and 70% received doses greater than 105% in the lower breast. Only 4% of patients allocated IMRT received doses greater than 105% in either region. Analysis of dose-volume histogram data showed that IMRT reduced the volume receiving a dose greater than 105% by a mean of 10.7% (p= or <0.001); the mean change in the volume receiving a dose less than 95% was 0.2% (p=0.63). Average mean plan dose was 101.6% for standard treatment and 99.6% for IMRT (p<0.001 for each compared with 100.0% ideal). The mean value of maximum dose was reduced from 111% to 106% in the group of patients randomized to IMRT. A simple method for describing the relationship between dose and position in the breast, which is helpful for the effective correlation of dosimetry and clinical effects, is reported. Further, application of IMRT to the tangential field irradiation of the breast has been demonstrated to reduce high dose regions in both volume and dose level without compromising either minimum dose coverage or mean dose delivered to the breast.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of compensation in breast radiotherapy: a planning study using multiple static fields.

PURPOSE: A method that uses electronic portal imaging to design intensity-modulated beams for compensation in breast radiotherapy was implemented using multiple static fields in a planning study. We present the results of the study to verify the algorithm, and to assess improvements to the dosimetry. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fourteen patients were imaged with computed tomography (CT) and on a treatment unit using an electronic portal imager. The portal imaging data were used to design intensity-modulated beams to give an ideal dose distribution in the breast. These beams were implemented as multiple static fields added to standard wedged tangential fields. Planning of these treatments was performed on a commercial treatment planning system (Target 2, IGE Medical Systems, Slough, U.K.) using the CT data for each patient. Dose-volume histogram (DVH) analysis of the plans with and without multileaf collimator (MLC) compensation was carried out. This work has been used as the basis for a randomized clinical trial investigating whether improvements in dosimetry are correlated with the reduction of long-term side effects from breast radiotherapy. RESULTS: The planning analysis showed a mean increase in target volume receiving 95-105% of prescribed dose of 7.5% (range -0.8% to 15.9%) when additional MLC compensation was applied. There was no change to the minimum dose for all 14 patient data sets. The change in the volume of breast tissue receiving over 105% of prescribed dose, when applying MLC compensation, was between -1.4% and 11.9%, with positive numbers indicating an improvement. These effects showed a correlation with breast size; the larger the breast the greater the amount of improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The method for designing compensation for breast treatments using an electronic portal imager has been verified using planning on CT data for 14 patients. An improvement was seen in planning when applying MLC compensation and this effect was greater the larger the breast size.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2000

The delivery of intensity modulated radiotherapy to the breast using multiple static fields.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To develop a method of using a multileaf collimator (MLC) to deliver intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for tangential breast fields, using an MLC to deliver a set of multiple static fields (MSFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic portal imaging device (EPID) is used to obtain thickness maps of medial and lateral tangential breast fields. From these IMRT deliveries are designed to minimize the volume of breast above 105% of prescribed dose. The deliveries are universally-wedged beams augmented with a set of low dose shaped irradiations. Dosimetric and planning QA of this method has been compared with the standard, wedged treatment and the corresponding treatment using physical compensators. Several options for delivering the MSF treatment are presented. RESULTS: The MSF technique was found to be superior to the standard technique (P value=0.002) and comparable with the compensated technique. Both IMRT methods reduced the volume of breast above 105% dose from a mean value of 12.0% of the total breast volume to approximately 2.8% of the total breast volume. CONCLUSIONS: This MSF method may be used to reduce the high dose volume in tangential breast irradiation significantly. This may have consequences for long-term side effects, particularly cosmesis.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2000

Painless aortic dissection presenting as high paraplegia: a case report.

Acute aortic dissection is a catastrophic episode that usually presents as a sudden, painful, ripping sensation in the chest or back. Physical findings may include loss of pulses and aortic regurgitation. It is associated with neurologic sequelae in as many as one third of patients. Painless dissection occurs in 5% of patients. We report a case of painless aortic dissection, presenting as acute paraplegia. The patient was a 77-year-old woman who presented with paraplegia, with no chest or back pain. On examination, strength was 5/5 in both upper extremities and 0/5 in both lower extremities. Deep tendon reflexes were absent in her legs. She had no voluntary anal contraction. Sensation was absent from T6 through S5. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a type A dissecting aneurysm. The vascular supply to the spinal cord and the differential diagnosis for new onset paraplegia are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

A filter for breast imaging on a radiotherapy X-ray simulator.

Simulator radiographs taken as a record of breast radiotherapy planning often show ill defined breast tissue margins because exposure parameters are set to optimize visualization of the chest wall rather than the bulk of the breast. This creates difficulties when using simulator images as reference images in verification by comparing with either portal film or images from an electronic portal imaging device. Our aim was to improve breast images taken at simulation without changing exposure parameters that have been optimized for visualization of the chest wall. This has been achieved via an external filter to be used when taking radiographs with the treatment simulator. The filter is made of stainless steel coated with tin and is shaped to maintain acceptable imaging of the chest wall by covering only the section of field anterior to the chest wall. Radiographs of breast simulations using the filter have been accepted as satisfactory by both clinicians and radiographers. The filter is now in routine clinical use for breast and chest wall treatment simulation.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1999

Radiological thickness measurement using a liquid ionization chamber electronic portal imaging device.

We present a method of calibrating the Portal Vision electronic portal imaging device to obtain radiological thickness maps for compensator design. In this method, coefficients are derived to describe the relationship between intensity and thickness for a set of water-equivalent blocks. The effects of four parameters were studied: (a) The dose response of the system was measured and found to be describable by a square-root function. (b) The calibration data and images were taken with a wedge in situ. The effects of using different wedges and different wedge orientations were investigated. The intrinsic accuracy of the accelerator/imager system was found to be 1.9 mm, for both 15 degrees and 30 degrees wedges. Changing the wedge orientation between calibration and imaging and rotating the calibration coefficients accordingly led to an error of 3.5 mm. (c) The variation in detector response with gantry angle was measured and corrected. The residual error in this process was 2.4 mm. (d) The use of a model to correct the effects of imaging with different field sizes was investigated and found to yield a residual error of 2.9 mm. The overall error in image calibrations was approximately 4 mm or 2% in dose. This is considered to be sufficiently small for the intended use of designing compensators for tangential breast irradiation.

Diagnostic Imaging↗

PubMed1998

Practical implementation of compensators in breast radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A method of using electronic portal imaging to design compensators for tangential breast irradiation has been developed. We describe how this has been implemented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The compensator design method generates wedged and unwedged beam weights, in conjunction with templates for multiple lead-sheet compensators and pseudo-CT outlines. The latter describe the breast and lung profiles in a set of transverse slices. The layers of the compensator and pseudo-CT outlines are transferred to a treatment planning system for verification. The accuracy of the planning system for the high transmission blocks used to describe the compensators has been verified using a plotting tank system. Dose volume histogram data and transaxial and sagittal plan slices have been compared for both standard and compensated treatments for a sample set of five patients. RESULTS: The planning system predicted the dose at depths of 1.5 and 5 cm to within 2% for the compensators tested. The biggest source of discrepancy was a consequence of the planning system requiring blocks to have integer percentage transmission. For all patients studied, the compensated treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the percentage volume outside the 95-105% dose, with an average reduction of 10.2%. The percentage volume outside the 95-107% dose was also reduced by typically 3.4%. The implementation was found to yield a convenient automatic method of designing compensators using electronic portal imaging and verifying the results using a planning system. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that this method of implementation can be used in practice. The dosimetric accuracy of the treatment planning system is limited by the requirement that blocks should be of integer transmission, but this effect is small.

Breast Neoplasms↗