Evaluation of gantry speed on image quality and imaging dose for 4D cone-beam CT acquisition

Andrew P. Santoso, Kwang H. Song, Yujiao Qin, Stephen J. Gardner, Chang Liu, Indrin J. Chetty, Benjamin Movsas, Munther Ajlouni, Ning Wen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the effect of gantry speed on 4DCBCT image quality and dose for the Varian On-Board Imager®. Methods: A thoracic 4DCBCT protocol was designed using a 125 kVp spectrum. Image quality parameters were evaluated for 4DCBCT acquisition using Catphan® phantom with real-time position management™ system for gantry speeds varying between 1.0 to 6.0°/s. Superior-inferior motion of the phantom was executed using a sinusoidal waveform with five second period. Scans were retrospectively sorted into 4 phases (CBCT-4 ph) and 10 phases (CBCT-10 ph); average 4DCBCT (CBCT-ave), using all image data from the 4DCBCT acquisitions was also evaluated. The 4DCBCT images were evaluated using the following image quality metrics: spatial resolution, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and uniformity index (UI). Additionally, Hounsfield unit (HU) sensitivity compared to a baseline CBCT and percent differences and RMS errors (RMSE) of excursion were also determined. Imaging dose was evaluated using an IBA CC13 ion chamber placed within CIRS Thorax phantom using the same sinusoidal motion and image acquisition settings as mentioned above. Results: Spatial resolution decreased linearly from 5.93 to 3.82 lp/cm as gantry speed increased from 1.0 to 6.0°/s. CNR decreased linearly from 4.80 to 1.82 with gantry speed increasing from 1.0 to 6.0°/s, respectively. No noteworthy variations in UI, HU sensitivity, or excursion metrics were observed with changes in gantry speed. Ion chamber dose rates measured ranged from 2.30 (lung) to 5.18 (bone) E-3 cGy/mAs. Conclusions: A quantitative analysis of the Varian OBI's 4DCBCT capabilities was explored. Changing gantry speed changes the number of projections used for reconstruction, affecting both image quality and imaging dose if x-ray tube current is held constant. From the results of this study, a gantry speed between 2 and 3°/s was optimal when considering image quality, dose, and reconstruction time. The future of 4DCBCT clinical utility relies on further investigation of image acquisition and reconstruction optimization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number98
JournalRadiation Oncology
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 29 2016

Keywords

  • Cone-beam CT
  • Dosimetry
  • Image guidance
  • Motion management

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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