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Japanese Journal of Radiology

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01-04-2014 | Original Article

Error in the parotid contour delineated using computed tomography images rather than magnetic resonance images during radiotherapy planning for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Authors: Chengxin Liu, Xudong Kong, Guanzhong Gong, Tonghai Liu, Baosheng Li, Yong Yin

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 4/2014

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the intra- and interobserver variations errors in the parotid contour delineated using computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) images of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent radiotherapy.

Materials and methods

Forty-one nasopharyngeal cancer patients were selected. The patients underwent simulation with MR and CT scanning. The gross tumor volume and organs at risk were contoured on both contrasted CT and T1-MR images. For each patient, one radiotherapist delineated the parotid on CT and MR images ten times, and ten different radiotherapists were asked to delineate the parotid on CT and MR images once each. The inter- and intraobserver variations in volume and outline were compared.

Results

For the interobserver comparison, the volumes of the parotid as evaluated from the CT and MR images were 34.6 ± 12.1 cm³ (left), 34.3 ± 9.0 cm³ (right), and 24.6 ± 7.6 cm³ (L), 23.2 ± 8.1 cm³ (R), respectively. For the intraobserver comparison, the volumes evaluated from the CT and MR images were 28.2 ± 7.6 cm³ (L), 29.4 ± 9.4 cm³ (R), and 24.4 ± 7.6 cm³ (L), 22.5 ± 7.4 cm³ (R), respectively. The relative variations in volume when using MR images were 4.7 ± 0.7 % (L), 5.0 ± 0.6 % (R) for the interobserver variations and 2.3 ± 0.4 % (L), 2.1 ± 0.7 % (R) for the intraobserver variations. However, the inter- and intraobserver relative variations in volume when using CT images were 18.0 ± 4.8 % (L), 17.4 ± 4.6 % (R) and 6.3 ± 1.5 % (L), 6.8 ± 1.5 % (R), respectively.

Conclusion

The parotid contour is delineated more accurately and reproducibly on MR images than on CT images.

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Title: Error in the parotid contour delineated using computed tomography images rather than magnetic resonance images during radiotherapy planning for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chengxin Liu
Xudong Kong
Guanzhong Gong
Tonghai Liu
Baosheng Li
Yong Yin
Publication date: 01-04-2014
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-014-0286-0

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Springer Medicine

Error in the parotid contour delineated using computed tomography images rather than magnetic resonance images during radiotherapy planning for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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