We have investigated the relationship between scan parameters and image quality in fourdimensional
cone-beam computed tomography (4D-CBCT) performed with a flat panel imager
in image-guided radiotherapy. We have determined upper bounds on scan time while achieving
objective thresholds of image quality, namely in noise performance and minimization of view
aliasing artifacts. A slow-gantry design for 4D-CBCT was used, in which we slow down clinical
linear accelerator gantry speed from the typical 1.0 rpm speed to 0.1 - 0.125 rpm, to ensure the
projection angle spacing between two consecutive respiratory cycles is less than 3 degrees. A
respiratory monitoring device was used to record the respiratory signal for temporal correlation
of the projection data for 4D-CBCT image reconstruction. Four patient data sets were acquired.
Reference images were reconstructed with all projection data and were compared with images
reconstructed with 50%, 33% and 20% of the projection data. These three partial data
reconstructions are simulations of scans with shorter acquisition times. The main image
degradations in the short scan simulation image sets are streaking artifacts and poor signal to
noise ratio, both caused by sparse projection sampling. The amount of streaking artifacts and
SNR in each image set is quantified. By allowing some streaking artifacts and not compromising
the assessment of tumor motion, we produce images that suggest that a reduction in scan time
from 3 to 6 min to approximately 2 min may be possible, making 4D-CBCT feasible in a clinical
setting.
Fast and accurate modeling of cone-beam CT (CBCT) x-ray projection data can improve CBCT image quality either
by linearizing projection data for each patient prior to image reconstruction (thereby mitigating detector blur/lag,
spectral hardening, and scatter artifacts) or indirectly by supporting rigorous comparative simulation studies of
competing image reconstruction and processing algorithms. In this study, we compare Monte Carlo-computed x-ray
projections with projections experimentally acquired from our Varian Trilogy CBCT imaging system for phantoms
of known design. Our recently developed Monte Carlo photon-transport code, PTRAN, was used to compute
primary and scatter projections for cylindrical phantom of known diameter (NA model 76-410) with and without
bow-tie filter and antiscatter grid for both full- and half-fan geometries. These simulations were based upon
measured 120 kVp spectra, beam profiles, and flat-panel detector (4030CB) point-spread function. Compound
Poisson- process noise was simulated based upon measured beam output. Computed projections were compared to
flat- and dark-field corrected 4030CB images where scatter profiles were estimated by subtracting narrow axial-from full axial width 4030CB profiles. In agreement with the literature, the difference between simulated and
measured projection data is of the order of 6-8%. The measurement of the scatter profiles is affected by the long tails
of the detector PSF. Higher accuracy can be achieved mainly by improving the beam modeling and correcting the
non linearities induced by the detector PSF.
We have developed a ray-tracing backprojection (RTB) to back-project all the detector pixels into
the image domain of cone beam CT (CBCT). The underlying mathematic framework is the FDK
reconstruction. In this method, every ray recorded by the flat panel detector is traced back into the
image space. In each voxel of the imaging domain, all the rays contributing to the formation of
the CT image are summed together weighted by each rays' intersection length with the voxel. The
RTB is similar to a reverse process of x-ray transmission imaging, as opposed to the conventional
voxel-driven backprojection (VDB). In the RTB, we avoided interpolation and pixel binning
approximations, achieved better spatial resolution and eliminated some image artifacts. We have
successfully applied the RTB in phantom studies on the Varian On Board Imager CBCT. The images of the Catphan CTP404 module show more accurate representation of the oblique ramps in the measurement of slice thickness, and more accurate determination of slice thickness with the RTB than with VDB. The RTB also shows higher spatial resolution than the VDB in the studies of a high contrast resolution phantom.
We have developed an amplitude correlated (AC) 4-dimensional cone beam CT (4D-CBCT) imaging technique on the Varian cone beam CT system. We use the Varian Real-time Positioning Monitoring (RPM) system to synchronize the recording of the respiratory motion and the 4D-CBCT imaging. The projection data of the same amplitude in respiratory motion are used to reconstruct an image of the corresponding amplitude in RPM. In the absence of hysteresis of respiratory motion, we can utilize the two CBCT projections in the same breathing cycle: one in the inspiration to expiration and one in the expiration to inspiration to improve the signal to noise ratio, reduce the aliasing due to insufficient sampling in the angular direction.
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