A streamlined workflow for comprehensive 4DCT imaging QA with automated analysis of spatial integrity and image quality

IF 2 4区医学 Q3 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics Pub Date : 2025-07-27 DOI:10.1002/acm2.70168

Yunjie Yang, Donghoon Lee, Matthew Whitaker, Wendy Harris, Jeho Jeong, Shih-Chi Lin, Ellen Yorke, Lakshmi Santanam, Grace Tang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose

A comprehensive 4DCT QA program that includes the assessment of spatial integrity and image quality of 4D phantom scans can be resource-intensive, especially because the analysis burden scales with the number of motion traces used for QA. This work presents a streamlined and scalable workflow, enabled by the use of a widely available phantom and an automated analysis tool.

Methods

For 4DCT imaging QA, the Catphan was placed on the QUASAR motion platform, driven with sinusoidal motion traces of various amplitudes and frequencies. The acquired image sets were automatically analyzed using a newly designed 4DCT analysis module in TotalQA. The metrics of interest for 4DCT QA were analyzed for image sets of all motion bins and compared to the stationary reference image set. Three broad categories of imaging tests for 4DCT QA were defined: spatial integrity, HU constancy, and image quality. The sensitometry plugs in the Catphan were used as motion surrogates for evaluating spatial integrity, including the dimensions of the plugs and the observed motion amplitude in the scans. HU values of the sensitometry plugs in different phases were evaluated for consistency. For image quality, spatial resolution, low contrast resolution, and image noise were evaluated.

Results

Compared to the stationary reference CT, spatial integrity was within ±1 mm and the HU values were within two HU in the 4DCT for all phases. The spatial resolution was consistent while slightly higher noise was observed in the 4DCT images. The automated analysis in TotalQA was completed in approximately 20 min per motion trace, improving efficiency by more than 80% compared to the manual workflow.

Conclusions

A streamlined 4DCT imaging QA workflow with automated analysis offers a robust assessment of imaging quality and motion accuracy in 4DCT scans, enabling an efficient and consistent QA process in large healthcare networks.

Abstract Image

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具有空间完整性和图像质量自动分析的综合4DCT成像QA简化工作流程

一个全面的4DCT QA程序，包括空间完整性和4D幻影扫描图像质量的评估，可能是资源密集型的，特别是因为分析负担随着用于QA的运动轨迹的数量而增加。这项工作提出了一个流线型和可扩展的工作流程，通过使用广泛可用的幻影和自动分析工具。方法将Catphan放置在类星体运动平台上，以不同振幅和频率的正弦运动轨迹驱动，进行4DCT成像QA。使用TotalQA中新设计的4DCT分析模块自动分析获取的图像集。对所有运动箱的图像集分析4DCT QA感兴趣的指标，并与静止参考图像集进行比较。定义了4DCT QA的三大类成像测试：空间完整性、HU稳定性和图像质量。Catphan中的敏感测量塞被用作运动替代物，用于评估空间完整性，包括塞的尺寸和扫描中观察到的运动幅度。对不同相位测敏塞的HU值进行一致性评价。对于图像质量，空间分辨率，低对比度分辨率和图像噪声进行了评估。结果与固定参考CT相比，4DCT各阶段的空间完整性在±1 mm以内，HU值在2 HU以内。4DCT图像的空间分辨率基本一致，但噪声略高。TotalQA中的自动分析在每个运动轨迹大约20分钟内完成，与手动工作流程相比，效率提高了80%以上。具有自动分析功能的简化4DCT成像QA工作流程可对4DCT扫描中的成像质量和运动精度进行可靠评估，从而在大型医疗保健网络中实现高效和一致的QA流程。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics 医学-核医学

CiteScore

3.60

自引率

19.00%

发文量

331

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics is an international Open Access publication dedicated to clinical medical physics. JACMP welcomes original contributions dealing with all aspects of medical physics from scientists working in the clinical medical physics around the world. JACMP accepts only online submission. JACMP will publish: -Original Contributions: Peer-reviewed, investigations that represent new and significant contributions to the field. Recommended word count: up to 7500. -Review Articles: Reviews of major areas or sub-areas in the field of clinical medical physics. These articles may be of any length and are peer reviewed. -Technical Notes: These should be no longer than 3000 words, including key references. -Letters to the Editor: Comments on papers published in JACMP or on any other matters of interest to clinical medical physics. These should not be more than 1250 (including the literature) and their publication is only based on the decision of the editor, who occasionally asks experts on the merit of the contents. -Book Reviews: The editorial office solicits Book Reviews. -Announcements of Forthcoming Meetings: The Editor may provide notice of forthcoming meetings, course offerings, and other events relevant to clinical medical physics. -Parallel Opposed Editorial: We welcome topics relevant to clinical practice and medical physics profession. The contents can be controversial debate or opposed aspects of an issue. One author argues for the position and the other against. Each side of the debate contains an opening statement up to 800 words, followed by a rebuttal up to 500 words. Readers interested in participating in this series should contact the moderator with a proposed title and a short description of the topic