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Investigating the use of image thresholding in brachytherapy catheter reconstruction

Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine volume 39, pages 913–919 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

This study evaluated the accuracy of image thresholding in the reconstruction of catheters in brachytherapy treatment planning systems. Six test cases including four planar catheter configurations, an interstitial prostate and an intracavitary treatment plan were made use of in this study. The four planar CT scanned catheter arrangements included; catheters placed approximately 1, 0.5 cm apart, catheters closely arranged in a plan (<0.5 cm apart) and a loop arrangement. The intracavitary plan consisted of catheters arranged inside a mould configuration. All reconstruction methods were based on tracking wire markers placed inside the plastic catheters. Each of these catheter arrangements was reconstructed using an existing window adjustment technique (manual reconstruction) in the treatment planning system followed by a CT-based automated thresholding technique available in the same planning system. A corresponding reconstructed catheter was created using a segmented catheter structure using image thresholding from another planning system within the same department. Co-ordinates from all the reconstructed catheters were compared against each other to assess the geometric shift between manual and threshold based reconstruction on each transaxial image using in-house software and the maximum variations were recorded for assessment. It was observed in general that automated thresholding technique could assist in catheter reconstruction for catheters which are greater than 0.5 cm apart. The segmented thresholding method reported smaller variations when compared to the manual reconstruction using window adjustment technique. Automated reconstruction saves time in the brachytherapy planning, however it was noted that it is not feasible for closely spaced catheters. Segmented catheter reconstruction although time consuming, did provide a better alternative in most cases.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all RBWH brachytherapy staff especially Robert Fitchew, Robert McDowall and Sanna Nilsson for their planning advice and support throughout the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Level 3, Joyce Tweddell Building, Butterfield Street, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4029, Australia

    Diana Binny, Craig M. Lancaster, Phil Back, Robyn Cheuk & Scott B. Crowe

  2. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Diana Binny, Tanya Kairn, Jamie V. Trapp & Scott B. Crowe

  3. Genesis Cancer Care Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Tanya Kairn

Authors
  1. Diana Binny
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  2. Craig M. Lancaster
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  3. Tanya Kairn
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  4. Jamie V. Trapp
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  5. Phil Back
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  6. Robyn Cheuk
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  7. Scott B. Crowe
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Correspondence to Diana Binny.

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Binny, D., Lancaster, C.M., Kairn, T. et al. Investigating the use of image thresholding in brachytherapy catheter reconstruction. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 39, 913–919 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-016-0493-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-016-0493-3

Keywords

  • Brachytherapy
  • Catheter reconstruction
  • Image thresholding
  • Applicator
  • Treatment planning