Use of synthetic data for training dose estimation neural networks in CT dosimetry

TL;DR

This study explores how combining synthetic and real anatomical data can enhance machine learning models for personalized CT dose estimation, reducing the need for extensive real data while maintaining accuracy and uncertainty standards.

Contribution

It demonstrates that integrating synthetic data with real patient data improves model accuracy and robustness in CT dosimetry while adhering to established uncertainty guidelines.

Findings

Synthetic data alone yields limited accuracy for small organs.

Adding 10% real data significantly improves model performance.

Hybrid models meet TRS-457 uncertainty standards.

Abstract

Personalized computed tomography (CT) dosimetry has great potential in assessing patient-specific radiation exposure, supporting risk assessment, and optimizing clinical protocols. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of synthetic anatomical data for improving machine learning-based personalized computed tomography (CT) dosimetry. It is investigated whether the combination of synthetic human body geometries with real patient data can improve model accuracy and generalization for CT organ dose estimation while maintaining the uncertainty requirements outlined in IAEA TRS-457. Deep learning models for organ dose prediction are trained using datasets with varying proportions of real and synthetic data. Synthetic datasets are generated from computational human phantoms with controlled distributions of organ volumes and body. A dedicated model uncertainty evaluation method is implemented to quantify prediction reliability and verify compliance with TRS-457 accuracy limits. Model performance and uncertainty are compared across different training data compositions, including a model trained solely on real patient data. As baseline validated Monte Carlo simulation is used. Models trained solely on synthetic data show limited predictive accuracy, particularly for small or peripheral organs. Incorporating as little as 10 % real patient data significantly improves both statistical accuracy and uncertainty estimates, achieving a performance comparable to that of real-only models. The hybrid training approach improves robustness across different anatomies while maintaining TRS-457-compliant uncertainty levels (k=2 uncertainty < 20% for adults). The results indicate that the combination of real and synthetic data in combination with a systematic uncertainty assessment supports the development of CT dosimetry models and at the same time reduces the amount of real data required.