Intra-breath-hold residual motion of image-guided DIBH liver-SBRT: An estimation by ultrasound-based monitoring correlated with diaphragm position in CBCT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Craniocaudal motion during image-guided abdominal SBRT can be reduced by computer-controlled deep-inspiratory-breath-hold (DIBH). However, a residual motion can occur in the DIBH-phases which can only be detected with intrafractional real-time-monitoring. We assessed the intra-breath-hold residual motion of DIBH and compared residual motion of target structures during DIBH detected by ultrasound (US). US data were compared with residual motion of the diaphragm-dome (DD) detected in the DIBH-CBCT-projections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: US-based monitoring was performed with an experimental US-system simultaneously to DIBH-CBCT acquisition. A total of 706 DIBHs during SBRT-treatments of metastatic lesions (liver, spleen, adrenal) of various primaries were registered in 13 patients. Residual motion of the target structure was documented with US during each DIBH. Motion of the DD was determined by comparison to a reference phantom-scan taking the individual geometrical setting at a given projection angle into account. Residual motion data detected by US were correlated to those of the DD (DIBH-CBCT-projection). RESULTS: US-based monitoring could be performed in all cases and was well tolerated by all patients. Additional time for daily US-based setup required 8 ±â€¯4 min. 385 DIBHs of 706 could be analyzed. In 59% of all DIBHs, residual motion was below 2 mm. In 36%, residual motion of 2-5 mm and in 4% of 5-8 mm was observed. Only 1% of all DIBHs and 0.16% of all readings revealed a residual motion of >8 mm during DIBH. For DIBHs with a residual motion over 2 mm, 137 of 156 CBCT-to-US curves had a parallel residual motion and showed a statistical correlation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Soft-tissue monitoring with ultrasound is a fast real-time method without additional radiation exposure. Computer-controlled DIBH has a residual motion of <5 mm in >95% which is in line with the published intra-breath-hold-precision. Larger intrafractional deviations can be avoided if the beam is stopped at an US-defined threshold.

Determination of Intrafraction Prostate Motion During External Beam Radiation Therapy With a Transperineal 4-Dimensional Ultrasound Real-Time Tracking System.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To determine intrafraction prostate motion during volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) using transperineal ultrasound (US) real-time tracking. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 770 US monitoring sessions in 38 prostate cancer patients' VMAT treatment series were retrospectively evaluated. Intrafraction motion assessment of the prostate was based on continuous position monitoring with a 4-dimensional US system along the 3 directions: left-right (LR), anterior-posterior (AP), and inferior-superior (SI). The overall mean values and standard deviations (SD) along with random and systematic errors were calculated. RESULTS: The mean duration of each monitoring session was 254 s. The mean (µ), the systematic error (Σ), and the random error (σ) of intrafraction prostate displacement were µ = (0.01, -0.08, 0.15) mm, Σ = (0.30, 0.34, 0.23) mm, and σ = (0.59, 0.73, 0.64) mm in the LR, AP and SI directions, respectively. The percentage of treatments for which prostate displacement was ≤2 mm was 97.01%, 92.24%, and 95.77% in the LR, AP, and SI directions, respectively. At 60 s, a vector length of prostate displacement >2 mm was present in 0.67% of the data. The percentage increased to 2.42%, 6.14%, and 9.35% at 120 s, 180 s, and 240 s, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitudes of intrafraction prostate motion along the SI and AP directions were comparable. On average, the smallest motion was in the LR direction and the largest in AP direction. Most of the prostate displacements were within a few millimeters. However, with increasing treatment time (eg, during hypofractionation), larger 3-dimensional prostate displacements up to 18.30 mm could be observed. Shortening treatment time can reduce the impact of intrafraction motion and potentially allows smaller safety margins.

Stereotactic ultrasound for target volume definition in a patient with prostate cancer and bilateral total hip replacement.

PURPOSE: Target-volume definition for prostate cancer in patients with bilateral metal total hip replacements (THRs) is a challenge because of metal artifacts in the planning computed tomography (CT) scans. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for matching and prostate delineation; however, at a spatial and temporal distance from the planning CT, identical rectal and vesical filling is difficult to achieve. In addition, MRI may also be impaired by metal artifacts, even resulting in spatial image distortion. Here, we present a method to define prostate target volumes based on ultrasound images acquired during CT simulation and online-matched to the CT data set directly at the planning CT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A 78-year-old patient with cT2cNxM0 prostate cancer with bilateral metal THRs was referred to external beam radiation therapy. T2-weighted MRI was performed on the day of the planning CT with preparation according to a protocol for reproducible bladder and rectal filling. The planning CT was obtained with the immediate acquisition of a 3-dimensional ultrasound data set with a dedicated stereotactic ultrasound system for online intermodality image matching referenced to the isocenter by ceiling-mounted infrared cameras. MRI (offline) and ultrasound images (online) were thus both matched to the CT images for planning. Daily image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) was performed with transabdominal ultrasound and compared with cone beam CT. RESULTS: Because of variations in bladder and rectal filling and metal-induced image distortion in MRI, soft-tissue-based matching of the MRI to CT was not sufficient for unequivocal prostate target definition. Ultrasound-based images could be matched, and prostate, seminal vesicles, and target volumes were reliably defined. Daily IGRT could be successfully completed with transabdominal ultrasound with good accordance between cone beam CT and ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: For prostate cancer patients with bilateral THRs causing artifacts in planning CTs, ultrasound referenced to the isocenter of the CT simulator and acquired with intermodal online coregistration directly at the planning CT is a fast and easy method to reliably delineate the prostate and target volumes and for daily IGRT.