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The Journal of the Korean Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology 2006;24(4): 285-293. |
| Impact of Computed Tomography Slice Thickness on Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Plan |
| Seoung Jun Lee, Jae Chul Kim |
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Korea. jckim@knu.ac.kr
2Department of Radiation Oncology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. |
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| ABSTRACT |
PURPOSE:
This study was to search the optimal slice thickness of computed tomography (CT) in an intensity modulated radiation therapy plan through changing the slice thickness and comparing the change of the calculated absorbed dose with measured absorbed dose.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
An intensity modulated radiation therapy plan for a head and neck cancer patient was done, first of all. Then CT with various ranges of slice thickness (0.125~1.0 cm) for a head and neck anthropomorphic phantom was done and the images were reconstructed. The plan parameters obtained from the plan of the head and neck cancer patient was applied into the reconstructed images of the phantom and then absorbed doses were calculated. Films were inserted into the phantom, and irradiated with 6 MV X-ray with the same beam data obtained from the head and neck cancer patient. Films were then scanned and isodoses were measured with the use of film measurement software and were compared with the calculated isodeses.
RESULTS:
As the slice thickness of CT decreased, the volume of the phantom and the maximum absorbed dose increased. As the slice thickness of CT changed from 0.125 to 1.0 cm, the maximum absorbed dose changed ~5%. The difference between the measured and calculated volume of the phantom was small (3.7~3.8%) when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less. The difference between the measured and calculated dose was small (0.35~1.40%) when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less.
CONCLUSION:
Because the difference between the measured and calculated dose in a head and neck phantom was small and the difference between the measured and calculated volume was small when the slice thickness of CT was 0.25 cm or less, we suggest that the slice thickness of CT should be 0.25 cm or less for an optimal intensity modulated radiation therapy plan. |
| Key Words:
Computed tomography, Slice thickness, Intensity modulated radiation therapy |
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