Comparison of proton therapy treatment planning for head tumors with a pencil beam algorithm on dual and single energy CT images

Abstract

Proton therapy TP using a pencil beam algorithm and DECT images was performed for the first time. Given that the DECT accuracy as evaluated by two phantoms was 1.2% and 1.0% RMSE, it is questionable whether the range differences reported here are significant.

Experimental validation of two dual‐energy CT methods for proton therapy using heterogeneous tissue samples

“…This is one way of defining input materials, although not necessarily optimal. Future work can focus on implementing the direct use of DECT predicted elemental compositions, as suggested in earlier studies . Finally, one other advantage of the ETD formalism is its generality, that makes it suitable for any number of CT energy.…”

“…For a virtual phantom filled with human reference tissues, we found that DECT can reduce beam range uncertainties by about 0.4% in soft tissues and up to 1 mm (as reported for a 5 cm thick slab) for therapeutic energies in bones. Additional studies performed treatment planning on phantom and patient datasets, comparing treatment plans calculated using SECT‐derived and DECT‐derived SPRs. Zhu and Penfold demonstrated a dose difference of up to 8% between an SECT‐based and a DECT‐based plan.…”

“…Zhu and Penfold demonstrated a dose difference of up to 8% between an SECT‐based and a DECT‐based plan. Hudobivnik et al . evaluated range differences between SECT‐based and DECT‐based plans for five head trauma patients, concluding group median relative range differences of −1.4%.…”

Dual-Energy CT in Head and Neck Imaging

“…Hudobivnik compared the proton therapy treatment planning of head tumors at the skull base to calculate the stopping powers while using SECT and DECT [84]. They confirmed a higher accuracy for DECT in their surrogate patients using a pencil beam algorithm.…”

Europium‐155 as a source for dual energy cone beam computed tomography in adaptive proton therapy: A simulation study

“…Various DECT scanning approaches have been proposed, however, the most common scenario consists of imaging with two differing X‐ray spectra emanating from an X‐ray tube. The resulting reconstructed images can be processed to produce images of electron density and effective atomic number . The effective atomic number data can be correlated with mean excitation energy, allowing for a calculation of stopping power .…”