CT in RT Flashcards
(41 cards)
Importance of CT in Treatment Planning
- Accurate determination of inhomogeneities/heterogeneities within the patient
- Provides 3D and 4D data for RT treatment planning calculations
- Creation of Digitally Reconstructed Radiographs
- Provide accurate structure identification, targets and OAR
Calculation Modes
Homogeneity Calculation Mode
- Considers all the tissue the same
Heterogeneity Calculation Mode
- Considers the different densities of tissues
Ways to account for inhomogeneities and heterogeneities in Calculation Modes
- Effective Depths
- CT numbers
Denisty Effect on Isodose Curves
- When passing through a less dense material/substance (e.g. air), the isodose curves are less effected than when passing through a substance with a greater density (e.g., bone)
Heterogeneities that may be present in a brain plan
- Sinuses
- Cavities
- Metal Artefacts
- Differing tissue densities (e.g., compact cranial bone)
Attenuation in CT
- Occurs as x-rays travel through the patient (absorption and scattering)
- Differences in attenuation are collected by the detectors
- This is what establishes the contrast between tissues on CT images
Cross-Sectional Images in CT
- Images collected are cross sectional
- An individual slice shows only the parts of the anatomy imaged at a particular level
- CT slice is further sectioned into elements called pixels
Why do inhomogeneities affect isodose curves?
- Attenuation of the beam is related to the electron density
What is Electron Density?
Number of electrons per cm^3
As most tissues have similar number of electrons per gram, the electron density is most dependent on the density of the tissue
What does Relative Electron Density do?
Compares the electron density of tissue to the density of water
Hounsfield Units
- Water is used as they reference material given a value of zero
- Tissues denser than water have positive values (e.g., +1000 = bone)
- Tissues less dense than water have negative values (e.g., -1000 = air)
CT Data importance Planning
When CT data is used for planning, calculations done in the ‘Pixel by Pixel’ mode will automatically account for density changes
Data is unique to each CT (due to pixel variation) -> therefore calibration is important)
Image Quality - Voxel
Represents a value on a regular grid in three dimensional space or object
Image Quality - Pixel
Each image is made up of a matrix of Picture Elements
Each pixel represents a voxel (2D representation of 3D object)
What is a CAT Scan
Computerised Axial Tomography
Benefits and Negatives of Differing the Slice Number
- Bigger space between the slices, could lead to missed pathology
- More slices taken, requires more storage to keep the data sets
How does the calculation of dose occur?
Is performed by using the CT numbers of the planning scan to account for differences in density
How is a TPS utilised?
A TPS will use a stored table to convert CT number to density
Table is established by scanning phantom materials of known density and correlating with the measured CT numbers
What is the purpose of a Tissue Characterisation CT Pahntom
Used to calibrate the CT unit by establishing the relationship between the electron density of various tissues and their corresponding CT number
CT Number conversion to relative electron densities for various kV
CT number conversion to relative electron density is different for differing KVs
HU and Relative Electron Densities
Bone is more compact in the skull, therefore there is a greater electron density
Seimens Definition AS Open 64/20
The CT scanner has the ability to do a 64 slice data set or 20 slice data set
Single Slice vs Multislice
Multislice
- Scan greater amount of the pateint by accumulating more slices
- Faster scanning time
Spiral/Helical Scanning
- Allows for volume scanning
- Increases scanning of larger volume in less time
- Includes new x-ray tube and detector technologies