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01-01-2014 | Original article

Prostate positioning using cone-beam computer tomography based on manual soft-tissue registration

Interobserver agreement between radiation oncologists and therapists

Authors: B.A. Jereczek-Fossa, MD PhD, C. Pobbiati, BS, L. Santoro, MSc, C. Fodor, MSc, P. Fanti, MD, S. Vigorito, MSc, G. Baroni, PhD, D. Zerini, MD, O. De Cobelli, MD, R. Orecchia, MD

Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Purpose

To check the interobserver agreement between radiation oncologists and therapists (RTT) using an on- and off-line cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) protocol for setup verification in the radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

Materials and methods

The CBCT data from six prostate cancer patients treated with hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were independently reviewed off-line by four observers (one radiation oncologist, one junior and two senior RTTs) and benchmarked with on-line CBCT positioning performed by a radiation oncologist immediately prior to treatment. CBCT positioning was based on manual soft-tissue registration. Agreement between observers was evaluated using weighted Cohen’s kappa statistics.

Results

In total, 152 CBCT-based prostate positioning procedures were reviewed by each observer. The mean (± standard deviation) of the differences between off- and on-line CBCT–simCT registration translations along the three directions (antero-posterior, latero-lateral and cranio-caudal) and rotation around the antero-posterior axis were − 0.7 (3.6) mm, 1.9 (2.7) mm, 0.9 (3.6) mm and − 1.8 (5.0) degrees, respectively. Satisfactory interobserver agreement was found, being substantial (weighted kappa > 0.6) in 10 of 16 comparisons and moderate (0.41–0.60) in the remaining six comparisons.

Conclusions

CBCT interpretation performed by RTTs is comparable to that of radiation oncologists. Our study might be helpful in the quality assurance of radiotherapy and the optimization of competencies. Further investigation should include larger sample sizes, a greater number of observers and validated methodology in order to assess interobserver variability and its impact on high-precision prostate cancer IGRT. In the future, it should enable the wider implementation of complex and evolving radiotherapy technologies.

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Title: Prostate positioning using cone-beam computer tomography based on manual soft-tissue registration
Interobserver agreement between radiation oncologists and therapists
Authors: B.A. Jereczek-Fossa, MD PhD
C. Pobbiati, BS
L. Santoro, MSc
C. Fodor, MSc
P. Fanti, MD
S. Vigorito, MSc
G. Baroni, PhD
D. Zerini, MD
O. De Cobelli, MD
R. Orecchia, MD
Publication date: 01-01-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0179-7158
Electronic ISSN: 1439-099X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-013-0387-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Prostate positioning using cone-beam computer tomography based on manual soft-tissue registration

Interobserver agreement between radiation oncologists and therapists

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusions

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