Evaluating the Effect of Co-Registered Diagnostic MR Images Based CT Simulation on Target Volume Delineation and Dose Distribution for Tomotherapy of Rectal Cancer

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become a complementary imaging method for the treatment planning process due to the limitations of Computed Tomography (CT) imaging.Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of co-registered MRI and CT (MRI/CT)-based target delineation on the d...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Baranoosh Rahmani, Daryoush Shahbazi-Gahrouei, Mahnaz Roayaei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Biomedical Physics and Engineering
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Online Access:https://jbpe.sums.ac.ir/article_49511_f277c232cfb84ba90bcb166c3b888e84.pdf
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Summary:Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become a complementary imaging method for the treatment planning process due to the limitations of Computed Tomography (CT) imaging.Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of co-registered MRI and CT (MRI/CT)-based target delineation on the dose to the target, small bowel, bladder, and femoral heads during Helical Tomotherapy (HT).Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional prospective study, MRI in a prone position were obtained for 12 patients with rectal cancer at one-day intervals with simulation CT. Following the co-registration process with the deformable algorithm, target volumes are defined. Gross Tumor Volume (GTV), Clinical Target Volume (CTV), and Planning Target Volume (PTV) were delineated for each CT and MRI/CT.Results: GTV, CTV, and PTV mean values were significantly higher in the CT-based target delineation method than those in the MRI/CT-based method. In MRI/CT-based plans, the mean HI value was significantly lower, and the mean Conformity Index (CI) value was significantly higher than that in CT-based plans. In a small bowl, the most of dosimetric parameters (Dmax, Dmean, D50%, D50%, V40%, and V45%) were significantly higher for the CT-based plans. In the bladder, all dosimetric parameters, except V30%, were statistically higher in CT-based plans.  Conclusion: Co-registered MRI/CT-based treatment planning can produce better dose coverage for the target and reduce the delivered dose to the Organs at Risk (OARs) when compared to CT-based planning.
ISSN:2251-7200