The quantity underlying computed tomography (CT) images is the linear attenuation coefficient; the weighted sum of the linear attenuation coefficients of the elements in a tissue material. Quantitative CT (QCT) measures absolute values of the attenuation coefficient and thus gives a unique possibility to classify imaged tissues in terms of element concentrations. QCT is the basis for dose calculations in radiotherapy.
New modalities of radiation treatment have been introduced: brachytherapy with low energy photons and radiation therapy with high-energy protons and heavier ions. For accurate dose calculations using these modalities knowledge of electron densities is not sufficient, as is the case in conventional radiation treatment using high energy photons. Detailed knowledge of patient specific elemental concentrations in the tissues is needed. Accurate use of QCT depends on the possibility to achieve images free from artefacts. The aims of this work is to reconstruct artefact free images – a prerequisite for quantitative CT.
To achieve this, we intend to develop a model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm (DIRA) based on dual-energy CT (DECT) to account for patient specific tissue compositions and extend the algorithm to a multi-energy reconstruction algorithm (MIRA) that includes information from multi-energy or spectral CT. By segmenting the organs and mathematically decomposing the soft tissues to water, fat and protein by using the dual-energy CT images, it is possible to estimate the elemental compositions of the tissues. The images show the mass fractions of water in a slice in the pelvis region.
In the prostate, for example, it is important to quantify the calcium content in order to account for the change in dose distributions that will occur with low energy photons. With information of elemental composition, it it possible to do more accurate individual dose plans. Such plans may reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.
New modalities of radiation treatment have been introduced: brachytherapy with low energy photons and radiation therapy with high-energy protons and heavier ions. For accurate dose calculations using these modalities knowledge of electron densities is not sufficient, as is the case in conventional radiation treatment using high energy photons. Detailed knowledge of patient specific elemental concentrations in the tissues is needed. Accurate use of QCT depends on the possibility to achieve images free from artefacts. The aims of this work is to reconstruct artefact free images – a prerequisite for quantitative CT.
To achieve this, we intend to develop a model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm (DIRA) based on dual-energy CT (DECT) to account for patient specific tissue compositions and extend the algorithm to a multi-energy reconstruction algorithm (MIRA) that includes information from multi-energy or spectral CT. By segmenting the organs and mathematically decomposing the soft tissues to water, fat and protein by using the dual-energy CT images, it is possible to estimate the elemental compositions of the tissues. The images show the mass fractions of water in a slice in the pelvis region.
In the prostate, for example, it is important to quantify the calcium content in order to account for the change in dose distributions that will occur with low energy photons. With information of elemental composition, it it possible to do more accurate individual dose plans. Such plans may reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.
- See Alexandr Malusek, Maria Magnusson, Michael Sandborg, Robin Westin and Gudrun Alm Carlsson. Prostate tissue decomposition via DECT using the model based iterative image reconstruction algorithm DIRA. Proc. of SPIE vol 9033 3H (2014) for details.
