Evaluation of Elekta SymmetryTM 4D IGRT system by using moving lung phantom

TL;DR

This study evaluates the Elekta SymmetryTM 4D IGRT system's accuracy in tracking moving lung phantoms using 4D CBCT, demonstrating its potential to improve registration precision for movable tumor radiation therapy.

Contribution

The paper provides an experimental assessment of SymmetryTM 4D IGRT system's registration accuracy with moving lung phantoms, highlighting its usefulness in precise tumor targeting.

Findings

SymmetryTM registration closely matches physical phantom movement.

4D CBCT improves registration accuracy for moving tumors.

System shows minimal deviation in tracking phantom movement.

Abstract

Purpose: 4D CBCT is a beneficial tool for the treatment of movable tumors, because it can help us to understand where the tumors are actually located and have a precise treatment plan. However, there is a limitation that general CBCT images cannot perfectly help the sophisticated registration. On the other hand, SymmetryTM 4D IGRT system of Elekta can offer the 4D CBCT registration option. In this study, we intend to evaluate the usefulness of SymmetryTM. Method and Materials: Planning CT images of the CIRS moving lung phantom were acquired from 4D MDCT. And they are sorted as 10 phases from 0% phase to 90% phase. The thickness of CT images was 1 mm. Acquired MDCT images were transferred to the contouring software and a virtual target was generated. An one arc VMAT plan was performed by using the treatment planning system on the virtual target. Finally, the movement of the phantom was verified through XVI SymmetryTM system. Results: The physical movement of CIRS moving lung phantom was +/- 10.0 mm in superior-inferior direction, +/- 1.0 mm in lateral direction, and +/- 2.5 mm in anterior-posterior direction. The movement of the phantom was measured from 4D MDCT registration as +/- 10.2 mm in superior-inferior direction, +/- 0.9 mm in lateral direction, and +/- 2.45 mm in anterior-posterior direction. The movement of the phantom was measured from SymmetryTM registration as +/- 10.1 mm in superior-inferior direction, +/- 0.9 mm in lateral direction, and +/- 2.4 mm in anterior/posterior direction. Conclusion: It is confirmed that 4D CBCT is a beneficial tool for the treatment of movable tumors. Therefore, 4D registration of SymmetryTM can increase the precision of the registration when a movable tumor is a target of radiation treatment.