Richárd Elek , Levente Herényi , Marcell Gyánó , Balázs Nemes , Szabolcs Osváth
{"title":"Comparative effectiveness of digital variance and subtraction angiography in lower limb angiography: A Monte Carlo modelling approach","authors":"Richárd Elek , Levente Herényi , Marcell Gyánó , Balázs Nemes , Szabolcs Osváth","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104859","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104859","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>By modelling patient exposures of interventional procedures, this study compares the reduction of radiation detriment between Digital Variance Angiography (DVA) and Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The paper presents a retrospective risk assessment using an in-house developed tool on 107 patient exposures from a clinical trial of DVA used to diagnose peripheral arterial disease (PAD). DICOM exposure parameters were used to initiate the PENELOPE (PENetration and Energy LOss of Positrons and Electrons) Monte Carlo simulation, radiation quality and quantity, and irradiation geometry. The effective dose and the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) for cancer incidence and mortality are calculated based on the International Commission on Radiation Protection’s (ICRP) 103 recommendations and the Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionising Radiations’ latest (BEIR VII) report, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study found that procedures conducted using DVA significantly reduce the radiation exposure of patients, compared to DSA. The collective effective dose for the DVA group was 58% lower than that for the DSA group. Correspondingly, the LAR of different organs showed a substantial decrease for cancer incidence (25–75%) and mortality (51–84%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>DVA demonstrates a considerable reduction in physical dosimetric quantities and consequently effective dose and cancer risk, suggesting its potential as a safer alternative to DSA in interventional radiology. The use of DVA supports the optimisation of patient radiation protection and aligns with the principles of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56092,"journal":{"name":"Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics","volume":"128 ","pages":"Article 104859"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142699168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juuso H.J. Ketola , Satu I. Inkinen , Teemu Mäkelä , Suvi Syväranta , Juha Peltonen , Touko Kaasalainen , Mika Kortesniemi
{"title":"Testing process for artificial intelligence applications in radiology practice","authors":"Juuso H.J. Ketola , Satu I. Inkinen , Teemu Mäkelä , Suvi Syväranta , Juha Peltonen , Touko Kaasalainen , Mika Kortesniemi","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104842","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104842","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Artificial intelligence (AI) applications are becoming increasingly common in radiology. However, ensuring reliable operation and expected clinical benefits remains a challenge. A systematic testing process aims to facilitate clinical deployment by confirming software applicability to local patient populations, practises, adherence to regulatory and safety requirements, and compatibility with existing systems. In this work, we present our testing process developed based on practical experience. First, a survey and pre-evaluation is conducted, where information requests are sent for potential products, and the specifications are evaluated against predetermined requirements. In the second phase, data collection, testing, and analysis are conducted. In the retrospective stage, the application undergoes testing with a pre selected dataset and is evaluated against specified key performance indicators (KPIs). In the prospective stage, the application is integrated into the clinical workflow and evaluated with additional process-specific KPIs. In the final phase, the results are evaluated in terms of safety, effectiveness, productivity, and integration. The final report summarises the results and includes a procurement/deployment or rejection recommendation. The process allows termination at any phase if the application fails to meet essential criteria. In addition, we present practical remarks from our experiences in AI testing and provide forms to guide and document the testing process. The established AI testing process facilitates a systematic evaluation and documentation of new technologies ensuring that each application undergoes equal and sufficient validation. Testing with local data is crucial for identifying biases and pitfalls of AI algorithms to improve the quality and safety, ultimately benefiting patient care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56092,"journal":{"name":"Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics","volume":"128 ","pages":"Article 104842"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142633306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Athanasios Kafkaletos , Ilias Sachpazidis , Michael Mix , Montserrat Carles , Henning Schäfer , Alexander Rühle , Nils H. Nicolay , Marta Lazzeroni , Iuliana Toma-Dasu , Anca L. Grosu , Dimos Baltas
{"title":"Implications of the partial volume effect correction on the spatial quantification of hypoxia based on [18F]FMISO PET/CT data","authors":"Athanasios Kafkaletos , Ilias Sachpazidis , Michael Mix , Montserrat Carles , Henning Schäfer , Alexander Rühle , Nils H. Nicolay , Marta Lazzeroni , Iuliana Toma-Dasu , Anca L. Grosu , Dimos Baltas","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104853","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104853","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study evaluates the impact of partial volume effect (PVE) correction on [<sup>18</sup>F]fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET images, focusing on the conversion of standardized uptake values (SUV) to partial oxygen pressure (pO<sub>2</sub>) and the subsequent determination of hypoxic tumor volume (HTV).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>FMISO PET images from 49 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cases were retrospectively corrected for PVE and converted to pO<sub>2</sub>. A pO<sub>2</sub> threshold of 10 mmHg was used to delineate the HTV (HTV<sub>pO2</sub>). Comparisons of pO<sub>2</sub> distribution and HTV<sub>pO2</sub> between corrected and uncorrected images were made, with pO<sub>2</sub> distributions evaluated against published polarographic data. HTV<sub>pO2</sub> was compared to HTV defined by the conventional tumor-to-muscle ratio (TMR) method (HTV<sub>TMR</sub>) in terms of volume and topography (DICE coefficient, Hausdorff distance, and center-of-gravity distance) across different TMR cutoff levels. The cutoff level where the segmentation results from both methods were most similar was identified (TMR<sub>best</sub>).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The PVE correction led to decreased minimum pO<sub>2</sub>, increased HTV<sub>pO2</sub> and the identification of more hypoxic cases (HTV > 0). The pO<sub>2</sub> distribution demonstrated improved alignment with published polarographic data. At TMR<sub>best</sub> 1.6, the center-of-gravity distance between HTV<sub>TMR</sub> and HTV<sub>pO2</sub> demonstrated a low median at 1.5 mm, while the wide range (0.0 to 9.6 mm) indicated high interpatient variability. The shape of HTV exhibited considerable variation with DICE 0.74 (0.03 to 1.00) and Hausdorff distance 8.5 mm (2.0 to 42.8 mm).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>PVE correction is recommended before converting SUV to pO<sub>2</sub> for the spatially resolved quantification of hypoxia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56092,"journal":{"name":"Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics","volume":"128 ","pages":"Article 104853"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142633177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kyra N. McComas , Guozhen Luo , George X. Ding , Stephen Martinez , Michael J. Price , Austin N. Kirschner
{"title":"Exploring stereotactic radiosurgery for tremor using the Varian cone planning system","authors":"Kyra N. McComas , Guozhen Luo , George X. Ding , Stephen Martinez , Michael J. Price , Austin N. Kirschner","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104858","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104858","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an effective treatment for essential tremor (ET) and Parkinsonian tremor (PT). However, current treatment methods can be time-consuming and expose patients to unnecessary radiation. This study investigates the use of the Varian TrueBeam system with FFF beam modes as a potential solution for these issues.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We recreated and evaluated treatment plans using the Varian TrueBeam and Eclipse Cone Planning system for ten patients previously treated for tremor cessation using a Novalis Tx linear accelerator with Brainlab planning system prescribed a maximum dose of 160 Gy. Analyses included beam-on delivery time, total MU, dose to brain and brainstem tissues, and confirmation of SRS cone accuracy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The TrueBeam cone delivery system is highly accurate. Our results demonstrated a significant reduction in monitor units (MU) and treatment delivery time shortened to 17-26 min beam-on time for all-Varian plans compared to 39 min for non-Varian (iPlan) plans (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the Varian plans showed improved or similar dose fall-off and radiation dose to brainstem normal tissue.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings suggest that the Varian TrueBeam system offers a safe and effective option for SRS tremor treatment, providing similar or superior treatment parameters compared to other LINAC-based SRS treatments. The reduced treatment times and improved patient comfort offered by this system make it a promising solution for future tremor treatments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56092,"journal":{"name":"Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics","volume":"128 ","pages":"Article 104858"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142633164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ana Mailén Dattoli Viegas , Daniel Carando , Hanna Koivunoro , Heikki Joensuu , Sara Josefina González
{"title":"Predicting radiotoxic effects after BNCT for brain cancer using a novel dose calculation model","authors":"Ana Mailén Dattoli Viegas , Daniel Carando , Hanna Koivunoro , Heikki Joensuu , Sara Josefina González","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104840","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104840","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose:</h3><div>The normal brain is an important dose-limiting organ for brain cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. This study aims to develop a model to calculate photon isoeffective doses (<span><math><msub><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>s</mi><mi>o</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></msub></math></span>) to normal brain that can explain the incidence of grade 2 or higher somnolence syndrome (SS<span><math><mo>⩾</mo></math></span>2) after Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT).</div></div><div><h3>Methods:</h3><div>A <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>s</mi><mi>o</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> model was constructed to find the reference photon dose that equals the Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) of the absorbed dose from BNCT. Limb paralysis rates from the rat spinal cord model exposed to conventional or BNCT irradiation were used to determine model parameters. NTCP expressions for both irradiations were constructed based on Lyman’s model accordingly. <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>s</mi><mi>o</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> values were calculated for BNCT treatments performed in Finland and USA. An equivalent uniform dose (EUD) based on peak and average whole-brain doses and treatment fields was also introduced. Combining <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>s</mi><mi>o</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> and EUD models, a dose–response curve for SS<span><math><mo>⩾</mo></math></span>2 in BNCT patients was constructed and compared to conventional radiotherapy outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Results:</h3><div>The <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>s</mi><mi>o</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> model reveals higher than expected photon-equivalent doses in the brain, indicating the need to modify standard dose calculation methods. Neither peak dose nor average whole-brain dose alone predicts SS<span><math><mo>⩾</mo></math></span>2 development. However, the dose–response curve derived from combining <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>s</mi><mi>o</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> and EUD models effectively explains the incidence of SS<span><math><mo>⩾</mo></math></span>2 after BNCT.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions:</h3><div>The introduced <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>D</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>I</mi><mi>s</mi><mi>o</mi><mi>E</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> and EUD models predict the incidence of somnolence syndrome after BNCT. The first dose–response relationship for SS<span><math><mo>⩾</mo></math></span>2 derived entirely from brain tumour patients treated with BNCT, consistent with photon radiotherapy responses, is presented.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56092,"journal":{"name":"Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics","volume":"128 ","pages":"Article 104840"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142633183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mathieu Gaudreault , Alex Burton , Vanessa Panettieri , Nicholas Hardcastle
{"title":"The BeamSplitter – An algorithm providing the dose per control point of radiation therapy treatment plans","authors":"Mathieu Gaudreault , Alex Burton , Vanessa Panettieri , Nicholas Hardcastle","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104845","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104845","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Commercial radiation therapy treatment planning systems (TPS) provide the three-dimensional time-integrated planned dose distribution. A four-dimensional (4D) dose calculation is essential to minimise dose-rate effects on pacemaker or in total body irradiation treatment or for time-dependent patient-specific quality assurance. We introduce the BeamSplitter, an algorithm in a commercial TPS generating 4D dose calculation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Automation was performed with the Eclipse Scripting Application Programming Interface (ESAPI, v16, Varian Medical System). The accumulated and reference dose distributions of twenty-one patients treated in 2022 at our institution were compared. The patients were selected to cover a broad range of modulated delivery techniques and plan complexity, quantified with the average leaf pair opening (ALPO). The dose distributions were compared with gamma passing rates (γPR). Moreover, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) between accumulated and reference dose metrics (planning target volume (PTV) D99% / D95% in stereotactic / non-stereotactic treatment, organs at risk (OAR) D5cc / D0.03 cc, and mean dose) was calculated. Dose accumulation was validated by point dose measurement.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The ALPO ranged from 11.6 mm to 77 mm. The accumulated and reference dose distributions were similar (<span><math><msubsup><mrow><mi>γ</mi><mi>P</mi><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>0</mn><mi>m</mi><mi>m</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>%</mo></mrow></msubsup></math></span> > 90 % in all patients). The MAPE between reference and accumulated dose metrics was lower than 1 % in all cases. The average dose difference through time between the accumulated and measured dose was lower than our clinical tolerance of 3 %.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The BeamSplitter is the first validated algorithm generating a 4D dose calculation of radiation therapy treatment plans within a commercial TPS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56092,"journal":{"name":"Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics","volume":"128 ","pages":"Article 104845"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142593634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Patient and treatment-related factors that influence dose to heart and heart substructures in left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy","authors":"Ioana-Claudia Costin , Loredana G. Marcu","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cardiac substructures are critical organs at risk in left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy being often overlooked during treatment planning. The treatment technique plays an important role in diminishing dose to critical structures. This review aims to analyze the impact of treatment- and patient-related factors on heart substructure dosimetry and to identify the gaps in literature regarding dosimetric reporting of cardiac substructures.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic search of the literature was conducted in Medline/Pubmed database incorporating data published over the past 10 years, leading to 81 eligible studies. Treatment-related factors analyzed for their impact on patient outcome included the number of treatment fields, field geometry, treatment time and monitor units. Additionally, patient-related parameters such as breast size and tumor shape were considered for cardiac dosimetry evaluation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Limited number of fields appeared to be an advantage for mean heart dose reduction when tangential IMRT versus multiple fields IMRT was evaluated. Larger breast size (910.20 ± 439.80 cm<sup>3</sup>) is linked to larger treatment fields and higher heart doses. Internal mammary node irradiation further escalates cardiac substructures dosimetry treated with 3DCRT and IMRT/VMAT. Proton therapy delivers lower mean heart dose regardless of breathing condition (free or respiratory-gated).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The management of treatment- and patient-related factors must be taken into account regardless of the treatment technique when evaluating cardiac dose. Furthermore, the gap found in the literature regarding heart toxicity assessment in left-sided breast cancer patients emphasizes the need for cardiac substructure contouring to better manage and control radiation-induced cardiac toxicities in this patient group.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56092,"journal":{"name":"Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics","volume":"128 ","pages":"Article 104851"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142586581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M.A. Kouri, A. Gaitanis, C. Nikolaou, E.P. Efstathopoulos, A. Tsaroucha
{"title":"O.3.1 ANTITUMOR EFFECTS OF VANILLIC ACID IN A HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA MOUSE MODEL: EVIDENCE FROM PET/CT IMAGING","authors":"M.A. Kouri, A. Gaitanis, C. Nikolaou, E.P. Efstathopoulos, A. Tsaroucha","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104541","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmp.2024.104541","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56092,"journal":{"name":"Physica Medica-European Journal of Medical Physics","volume":"127 ","pages":"Article 104541"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142586138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}