Intrafraction Geometric Uncertainties in Frameless Image-Guided Radiosurgery

Intrafraction Motion Management With MR-Guided Radiation Therapy

High quality radiation therapy requires highly accurate and precise dose delivery. MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT), integrating an MRI scanner with a linear accelerator, offers excellent quality images in the treatment room without subjecting patient to ionizing radiation. MRgRT therefore provides a powerful tool for intrafraction motion management. This paper summarizes different sources of intrafraction motion for different disease sites and describes the MR imaging techniques available to visualize and quantify intrafraction motion. It provides an overview of MR guided motion management strategies and of the current technical capabilities of the commercially available MRgRT systems. It describes how these motion management capabilities are currently being used in clinical studies, protocols and provides a future outlook.

ISRS Technical Guidelines for Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Treatment of Small Brain Metastases (≤1 cm in Diameter)

PURPOSE

The objective of this literature review was to develop International Stereotactic Radiosurgery Society (ISRS) consensus technical guidelines for the treatment of small, ≤1 cm in maximal diameter, intracranial metastases with stereotactic radiosurgery. Although different stereotactic radiosurgery technologies are available, most of them have similar treatment workflows and common technical challenges that are described.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A systematic review of the literature published between 2009 and 2020 was performed in Pubmed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The search terms were limited to those related to radiosurgery of brain metastases and to publications in the English language.

RESULTS

From 484 collected abstract 37 articles were included into the detailed review and bibliographic analysis. An additional 44 papers were identified as relevant from a search of the references. The 81 papers, including additional 7 international guidelines, were deemed relevant to at least one of five areas that were considered paramount for this report. These areas of technical focus have been employed to structure these guidelines: imaging specifications, target volume delineation and localization practices, use of margins, treatment planning techniques, and patient positioning.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review has demonstrated that Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) for small (1 cm) brain metastases can be safely performed on both Gamma Knife (GK) and CyberKnife (CK) as well as on modern LINACs, specifically tailored for radiosurgical procedures, However, considerable expertise and resources are required for a program based on the latest evidence for best practice.

Dosimetric performance of two linear accelerator-based radiosurgery systems to treat single and multiplebrain metastases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the dosimetric plan quality for noncoplanar volumetric arc therapy of single and multiple brain metastases using the linear accelerator-based radiosurgery system HyperArc and a robotic radiosurgery system.

METHODS

31 tumors from 24 patients were treated by stereotactic radiosurgery using the CyberKnife system. CT images, structure sets, and dose files were transferred to the Eclipse treatment planning system for the HyperArc system. Dosimetric parameters for both plans were compared. The beam-on time was calculated from the total monitor unit and dose rate.

RESULTS

For normal brain tissue, the received volume doses were significantly lower for HyperArc than for CyberKnife_G4 and strongly correlated with the planning target volume (PTV) for cases of single brain metastasis. In addition, the difference in volume dose between CyberKnife_G4 and HyperArc was proportional to the PTV. For multiple brain metastases, no significant difference was observed between the two stereotactic radiosurgery systems, except for high-dose region in the normal tissue. In low dose for brain minus PTV, when the maximum distance among each target was above 8.0 cm, HyperArc delivered higher dose than CyberKnife_G4. The mean ± SDs for the beam-on time were 15.8 ± 5.3 and 5.6 ± 0.8 min for CyberKnife_G4 and HyperArc, respectively (p < .01).

CONCLUSION

HyperArc is best suited for larger targets in single brain metastasis and for smaller inter tumor tumor distances in multiple brain metastases.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

The performance of HyperArc in comparison with CyberKnife_G4 was depended on defined margin and tumor distances.

On the total system error of a robotic radiosurgery system: phantom measurements, clinical evaluation and long-term analysis

The total system error (TSE) of a CyberKnife^® system was measured using two phantom-based methods and one patient-based method. The standard radiochromic film (RCF) end-to-end (E2E) test using an anthropomorphic head and neck phantom and isocentric treatment delivery was used with the 6Dskull, Fiducial and Xsight^® spine (XST) tracking methods. More than 200 RCF-based E2E results covering the period from installation in 2006 until 2017 were analyzed with respect to tracking method, system hardware and software versions, secondary collimation system, and years since installation. An independent polymer gel E2E method was also applied, involving a 3D printed head phantom and multiple spherical target volumes widely distributed within the brain. Finally, the TSE was assessed by comparing the delineated target in the planning computed tomography images of a patient treated for a thalamic functional target with the radiation-induced lesion defined on the six-month follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) images. Statistical analysis of the RCF-based TSE results showed mean  ±  standard deviation values of 0.40  ±  0.18 mm, 0.40  ±  0.19 mm, and 0.55  ±  0.20 mm for the 6Dskull, Fiducial, and XST tracking methods, respectively. Polymer gel TSE values smaller than 0.66 mm were found for seven targets distributed within the brain, showing that the targeting accuracy of the system is sustained even for targets situated up to 80 mm away from the center of the skull. An average clinical TSE value of 0.87  ±  0.25 mm was also measured using the FSE T2 and FLAIR post-treatment MR image data. Analysis of the long-term RCF-based E2E tests showed no changes of TSE over time. This study is the first to report long-term (>10 years) analysis of TSE, TSE measurement for targets positioned at large distances from the virtual machine isocenter, or a clinical assessment of TSE for the CyberKnife system. All of these measurements demonstrate TSE consistently  <  1 mm.

Towards frameless maskless SRS through real-time 6DoF robotic motion compensation

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) uses precise dose placement to treat conditions of the CNS. Frame-based SRS uses a metal head ring fixed to the patient's skull to provide high treatment accuracy, but patient comfort and clinical workflow may suffer. Frameless SRS, while potentially more convenient, may increase uncertainty of treatment accuracy and be physiologically confining to some patients. By incorporating highly precise robotics and advanced software algorithms into frameless treatments, we present a novel frameless and maskless SRS system where a robot provides real-time 6DoF head motion stabilization allowing positional accuracies to match or exceed those of traditional frame-based SRS. A 6DoF parallel kinematics robot was developed and integrated with a real-time infrared camera in a closed loop configuration. A novel compensation algorithm was developed based on an iterative closest-path correction approach. The robotic SRS system was tested on six volunteers, whose motion was monitored and compensated for in real-time over 15 min simulated treatments. The system's effectiveness in maintaining the target's 6DoF position within preset thresholds was determined by comparing volunteer head motion with and without compensation. Comparing corrected and uncorrected motion, the 6DoF robotic system showed an overall improvement factor of 21 in terms of maintaining target position within 0.5 mm and 0.5 degree thresholds. Although the system's effectiveness varied among the volunteers examined, for all volunteers tested the target position remained within the preset tolerances 99.0% of the time when robotic stabilization was used, compared to 4.7% without robotic stabilization. The pre-clinical robotic SRS compensation system was found to be effective at responding to sub-millimeter and sub-degree cranial motions for all volunteers examined. The system's success with volunteers has demonstrated its capability for implementation with frameless and maskless SRS treatments, potentially able to achieve the same or better treatment accuracies compared to traditional frame-based approaches.

Practical considerations of linear accelerator-based frameless extracranial radiosurgery for treatment of occipital neuralgia for nonsurgical candidates

Occipital neuralgia generally responds to medical or invasive procedures. Repeated invasive procedures generate increasing complications and are often contraindicated. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has not been reported as a treatment option largely due to the extracranial nature of the target as opposed to the similar, more established trigeminal neuralgia. A dedicated phantom study was conducted to determine the optimum imaging studies, fusion matrices, and treatment planning parameters to target the C2 dorsal root ganglion which forms the occipital nerve. The conditions created from the phantom were applied to a patient with medically and surgically refractory occipital neuralgia. A dose of 80 Gy in one fraction was prescribed to the C2 occipital dorsal root ganglion. The phantom study resulted in a treatment achieved with an average translational magnitude of correction of 1.35 mm with an acceptable tolerance of 0.5 mm and an average rotational magnitude of correction of 0.4° with an acceptable tolerance of 1.0°. For the patient, the spinal cord was 12.0 mm at its closest distance to the isocenter and received a maximum dose of 3.36 Gy, a dose to 0.35 cc of 1.84 Gy, and a dose to 1.2 cc of 0.79 Gy. The brain maximum dose was 2.20 Gy. Treatment time was 59 min for 18, 323 MUs. Imaging was performed prior to each arc delivery resulting in 21 imaging sessions. The average deviation magnitude requiring a positional or rotational correction was 0.96 ± 0.25 mm, 0.8 ± 0.41°, whereas the average deviation magnitude deemed within tolerance was 0.41 ± 0.12 mm, 0.57 ± 0.28°. Dedicated quality assurance of the treatment planning and delivery is necessary for safe and accurate SRS to the cervical spine dorsal root ganglion. With additional prospective study, linear accelerator-based frameless radiosurgery can provide an accurate, noninvasive alternative for treating occipital neuralgia where an invasive procedure is contraindicated.

Quantitative evaluation of patient setup uncertainty of stereotactic radiotherapy with the frameless 6D ExacTrac system using statistical modeling

The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient setup accuracy and quantify individual and cumulative positioning uncertainties associated with different hardware and software components of the stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS/SRT) with the frameless 6D ExacTrac system. A statistical model is used to evaluate positioning uncertainties of the different components of SRS/SRT treatment with the Brainlab 6D ExacTrac system using the positioning shifts of 35 patients having cranial lesions. All these patients are immobilized with rigid head‐and‐neck masks, simulated with Brainlab localizer and planned with iPlan treatment planning system. Stereoscopic X‐ray images (XC) are acquired and registered to corresponding digitally reconstructed radiographs using bony‐anatomy matching to calculate 6D translational and rotational shifts. When the shifts are within tolerance (0.7 mm and 1°), treatment is initiated. Otherwise corrections are applied and additional X‐rays (XV) are acquired to verify that patient position is within tolerance. The uncertainties from the mask, localizer, IR ‐frame, X‐ray imaging, MV, and kV isocentricity are quantified individually. Mask uncertainty (translational: lateral, longitudinal, vertical; rotational: pitch, roll, yaw) is the largest and varies with patients in the range (−2.07−3.71mm,−5.82−5.62mm,−5.84−3.61mm;−2.10−2.40∘,−2.23−2.60∘,and−2.7−3.00∘) obtained from mean of XC shifts for each patient. Setup uncertainty in IR positioning (0.88, 2.12, 1.40 mm, and 0.64°, 0.83°, 0.96°) is extracted from standard deviation of XC. Systematic uncertainties of the frame (0.18, 0.25, −1.27mm, −0.32∘, 0.18°, and 0.47°) and localizer (−0.03, −0.01, 0.03 mm, and −0.03∘, 0.00°, −0.01∘) are extracted from means of all XV setups and mean of all XC distributions, respectively. Uncertainties in isocentricity of the MV radiotherapy machine are (0.27, 0.24, 0.34 mm) and kV imager (0.15, −0.4, 0.21 mm). A statistical model is developed to evaluate the individual and cumulative systematic and random positioning uncertainties induced by the different hardware and software components of the 6D ExacTrac system. The uncertainties from the mask, localizer, IR frame, X‐ray imaging, couch, MV linac, and kV imager isocentricity are quantified using statistical modeling.

PACS number(s): 87.56.B‐, 87.59.B‐

The Use of Cone Beam Computed Tomography for Image Guided Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Initial Clinical Evaluation

PURPOSE

The present study used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to measure the inter- and intrafraction uncertainties for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) using the Leksell Gamma Knife (GK).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Using a novel CBCT system adapted to the GK radiosurgery treatment unit, CBCT images were acquired immediately before and after treatment for each treatment session within the context of a research ethics board-approved prospective clinical trial. Patients were immobilized in the Leksell coordinate frame (LCF) for both volumetric CBCT imaging and GK-SRS delivery. The relative displacement of the patient's skull to the stereotactic reference (interfraction motion) was measured for each CBCT scan. Differences between the pre- and post-treatment CBCT scans were used to determine the intrafraction motion.

RESULTS

We analyzed 20 pre- and 17 post-treatment CBCT scans in 20 LCF patients treated with SRS. The mean translational pretreatment setup error ± standard deviation in the left-right, anteroposterior, and craniocaudal directions was -0.19 ± 0.32, 0.06 ± 0.27, and -0.23 ± 0.2 mm, with a maximum of -0.74, -0.53, and -0.68 mm, respectively. After an average time between the pre- and post-treatment CBCT scans of 82 minutes (range 27-170), the mean intrafraction error ± standard deviation for the LCF was -0.03 ± 0.05, -0.03 ± 0.18, and -0.03 ± 0.12 mm in the left-right, anteroposterior, and craniocaudual direction, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Using CBCT on a prototype image guided GK Perfexion unit, we were able to measure the inter- and intrafraction positional changes for GK-SRS using the invasive frame. In the era of image guided radiation therapy, the use of CBCT image guidance for both frame- and non-frame-based immobilization systems could serve as a useful quality assurance tool. Our preliminary measurements can guide the application of achievable thresholds for inter- and intrafraction discrepancy when moving to a frameless approach.

Dosimetric effects of positioning shifts using 6D-frameless stereotactic Brainlab system in hypofractionated intracranial radiotherapy

Dosimetric consequences of positional shifts were studied using frameless Brainlab ExacTrac X‐ray system for hypofractionated (3 or 5 fractions) intracranial stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT). SRT treatments of 17 patients with metastatic intracranial tumors using the stereotactic system were retrospectively investigated. The treatments were simulated in a treatment planning system by modifying planning parameters with a matrix conversion technique based on positional shifts for initial infrared (IR)‐based setup (XC: X‐ray correction) and post‐correction (XV: X‐ray verification). The simulation was implemented with (a) 3D translational shifts only and (b) 6D translational and rotational shifts for dosimetric effects of angular correction. Mean translations and rotations (± 1 SD) of 77 fractions based on the initial IR setup (XC) were 0.51±0.86 mm (lateral), 0.30±1.55 mm (longitudinal), and −1.63±1.00 mm (vertical); 0.53±0.56 mm (pitch), 0.42±0.60 mm (roll), and 0.44±0.90 mm (yaw), respectively. These were −0.07±0.24 mm, −0.07±0.25 mm, 0.06±0.21 mm, 0.04±0.23 mm, 0.00±0.30 mm, and 0.02±0.22 mm, respectively, for the postcorrection (XV). Substantial degradation of the treatment plans was observed in D95 of PTV (2.6%±3.3%; simulated treatment versus treatment planning), Dmin of PTV (13.4%±11.6%), and Dmin of CTV (2.8%±3.8%, with the maximum error of 10.0%) from XC, while dosimetrically negligible changes (< 0.1%) were detected for both CTV and PTV from XV simulation. 3D angular correction significantly improved CTV dose coverage when the total angular shifts (|pitch|+|roll|+|yaw|) were greater than 2°. With the 6D stereoscopic X‐ray verification imaging and frameless immobilization, submillimeter and subdegree accuracy is achieved with negligible dosimetric deviations. 3D angular correction is required when the angular deviation is substantial. A CTV‐to‐PTV safety margin of 2 mm is large enough to prevent deterioration of CTV coverage.

PACS number: 87.55.dk

Development and clinical evaluation of a simple optical method to detect and measure patient external motion

A simple and independent system to detect and measure the position of a number of points in space was devised and implemented. Its application aimed to detect patient motion during radiotherapy treatments, alert of out‐of‐tolerances motion, and record the trajectories for subsequent studies. The system obtains the 3D position of points in space, through its projections in 2D images recorded by two cameras. It tracks black dots on a white sticker placed on the surface of the moving object. The system was tested with linear displacements of a phantom, circular trajectories of a rotating disk, oscillations of an in‐house phantom, and oscillations of a 4D phantom. It was also used to track 461 trajectories of points on the surface of patients during their radiotherapy treatments. Trajectories of several points were reproduced with accuracy better than 0.3 mm in the three spatial directions. The system was able to follow periodic motion with amplitudes lower than 0.5 mm, to follow trajectories of rotating points at speeds up to 11.5 cm/s, and to track accurately the motion of a respiratory phantom. The technique has been used to track the motion of patients during radiotherapy and to analyze that motion. The method is flexible. Its installation and calibration are simple and quick. It is easy to use and can be implemented at a very affordable price. Data collection does not involve any discomfort to the patient and does not delay the treatment, so the system can be used routinely in all treatments. It has an accuracy similar to that of other, more sophisticated, commercially available systems. It is suitable to implement a gating system or any other application requiring motion detection, such as 4D CT, MRI or PET.

PACS numbers: 87.55.N, 87.56.Da

Investigating the clinical advantages of a robotic linac equipped with a multileaf collimator in the treatment of brain and prostate cancer patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a commercially avail-able CyberKnife system with a multileaf collimator (CK-MLC) for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and standard fractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) applications. Ten prostate and ten intracranial cases were planned for the CK-MLC. Half of these cases were compared with clinically approved SBRT plans generated for the CyberKnife with circular collimators, and the other half were compared with clinically approved standard fractionated IMRT plans generated for conventional linacs. The plans were compared on target coverage, conformity, homogeneity, dose to organs at risk (OAR), low dose to the surrounding tissue, total monitor units (MU), and treatment time. CK-MLC plans generated for the SBRT cases achieved more homogeneous dose to the target than the CK plans with the circular collimators, for equivalent coverage, conformity, and dose to OARs. Total monitor units were reduced by 40% to 70% and treatment time was reduced by half. The CK-MLC plans generated for the standard fractionated cases achieved prescription isodose lines between 86% and 93%, which was 2%-3% below the plans generated for conventional linacs. Compared to standard IMRT plans, the total MU were up to three times greater for the prostate (whole pelvis) plans and up to 1.4 times greater for the intracranial plans. Average treatment time was 25min for the whole pelvis plans and 19 min for the intracranial cases. The CK-MLC system provides significant improvements in treatment time and target homogeneity compared to the CK system with circular collimators, while main-taining high conformity and dose sparing to critical organs. Standard fractionated plans for large target volumes (> 100 cm3) were generated that achieved high prescription isodose levels. The CK-MLC system provides more efficient SRS and SBRT treatments and, in select clinical cases, might be a potential alternative for standard fractionated treatments.

Robotic real-time translational and rotational head motion correction during frameless stereotactic radiosurgery

PURPOSE

To develop a control system to correct both translational and rotational head motion deviations in real-time during frameless stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS

A novel feedback control with a feed-forward algorithm was utilized to correct for the coupling of translation and rotation present in serial kinematic robotic systems. Input parameters for the algorithm include the real-time 6DOF target position, the frame pitch pivot point to target distance constant, and the translational and angular Linac beam off (gating) tolerance constants for patient safety. Testing of the algorithm was done using a 4D (XY Z + pitch) robotic stage, an infrared head position sensing unit and a control computer. The measured head position signal was processed and a resulting command was sent to the interface of a four-axis motor controller, through which four stepper motors were driven to perform motion compensation.

RESULTS

The control of the translation of a brain target was decoupled with the control of the rotation. For a phantom study, the corrected position was within a translational displacement of 0.35 mm and a pitch displacement of 0.15° 100% of the time. For a volunteer study, the corrected position was within displacements of 0.4 mm and 0.2° over 98.5% of the time, while it was 10.7% without correction.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors report a control design approach for both translational and rotational head motion correction. The experiments demonstrated that control performance of the 4D robotic stage meets the submillimeter and subdegree accuracy required by SRS.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy: a new paradigm in the management of spinal metastases

Spine stereotactic body radiotherapy is based on delivering high biologically effective doses to spinal metastases, with the intent to maximize both tumor and pain control. The purpose of this review is to outline the technical details of spine stereotactic body radiotherapy, contrast clinical outcomes to low biologically effective dose conventional palliative radiotherapy, discuss the role of surgery in the era of spine stereotactic body radiotherapy, and summarize the major serious adverse events that patients would otherwise not be at risk of with conventional radiotherapy.

Spatial and temporal performance of 3D optical surface imaging for real-time head position tracking

PURPOSE

The spatial and temporal tracking performance of a commercially available 3D optical surface imaging system is evaluated for its potential use in frameless stereotactic radiosurgery head tracking applications.

METHODS

Both 3D surface and infrared (IR) marker tracking were performed simultaneously on a head phantom mounted on an xyz motion stage and on four human subjects. To allow spatial and temporal comparison on human subjects, three points were simultaneously monitored, including the upper facial region (3D surface), a dental plate (IR markers), and upper forehead (IR markers).

RESULTS

For both static and dynamic phantom studies, the 3D surface tracker was found to have a root mean squared error (RMSE) of approximately 0.30 mm for region-of-interest (ROI) surface sizes greater than 1000 vertex points. Although, the processing period (1/fps) of the 3D surface system was found to linearly increase as a function of the number of ROI vertex points, the tracking accuracy was found to be independent of ROI size provided that the ROI was sufficiently large and contained features for registration. For human subjects, the RMSE between 3D surface tracking and IR marker tracking modalities was 0.22 mm left-right (x-axis), 0.44 mm superior-inferior (y-axis), 0.27 mm anterior-posterior (z-axis), 0.29° pitch (around x-axis), 0.18° roll (around y-axis), and 0.15° yaw (around z-axis).

CONCLUSIONS

3D surface imaging has the potential to provide submillimeter level head motion tracking. This is provided that a highly accurate camera-to-LINAC frame of reference calibration can be performed and that the reference ROI is of sufficient size and contains suitable surface features for registration.

Effect of residual patient motion on dose distribution during image-guided robotic radiosurgery for skull tracking based on log file analysis

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to assess the effect of residual patient motion on dose distribution during intracranial image-guided robotic radiosurgery by analyzing the system log files.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The dosimetric effect was analyzed according to the difference between the original and estimated dose distributions, including targeting error, caused by residual patient motion between two successive image acquisitions. One hundred twenty-eight treatments were analyzed. Forty-two patients were treated using the isocentric plan, and 86 patients were treated using the conformal (non-isocentric) plan.

RESULTS

The median distance from the imaging center to the target was 55 mm, and the median interval between the acquisitions of sequential images was 79 s. The median translational residual patient motion was 0.1 mm for each axis, and the rotational residual patient motion was 0.1° for Δpitch and Δroll and 0.2° for Δyaw. The dose error for D 95 was within 1 % in more than 95 % of cases. The maximum dose error for D 10 to D 90 was within 2 %. None of the studied parameters, including the interval between the acquisitions of sequential images, was significantly related to the dosimetric effect.

CONCLUSION

The effect of residual patient motion on dose distribution was minimal.

Intrafraction prostate translations and rotations during hypofractionated robotic radiation surgery: dosimetric impact of correction strategies and margins

PURPOSE

To investigate the dosimetric impact of intrafraction prostate motion and the effect of robot correction strategies for hypofractionated CyberKnife treatments with a simultaneously integrated boost.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 548 real-time prostate motion tracks from 17 patients were available for dosimetric simulations of CyberKnife treatments, in which various correction strategies were included. Fixed time intervals between imaging/correction (15, 60, 180, and 360 seconds) were simulated, as well as adaptive timing (ie, the time interval reduced from 60 to 15 seconds in case prostate motion exceeded 3 mm or 2° in consecutive images). The simulated extent of robot corrections was also varied: no corrections, translational corrections only, and translational corrections combined with rotational corrections up to 5°, 10°, and perfect rotational correction. The correction strategies were evaluated for treatment plans with a 0-mm or 3-mm margin around the clinical target volume (CTV). We recorded CTV coverage (V100%) and dose-volume parameters of the peripheral zone (boost), rectum, bladder, and urethra.

RESULTS

Planned dose parameters were increasingly preserved with larger extents of robot corrections. A time interval between corrections of 60 to 180 seconds provided optimal preservation of CTV coverage. To achieve 98% CTV coverage in 98% of the treatments, translational and rotational corrections up to 10° were required for the 0-mm margin plans, whereas translational and rotational corrections up to 5° were required for the 3-mm margin plans. Rectum and bladder were spared considerably better in the 0-mm margin plans. Adaptive timing did not improve delivered dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Intrafraction prostate motion substantially affected the delivered dose but was compensated for effectively by robot corrections using a time interval of 60 to 180 seconds. A 0-mm margin required larger extents of additional rotational corrections than a 3-mm margin but resulted in lower doses to rectum and bladder.

Stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of brain metastases: the current evidence

Chemotherapy has made substantial progress in the therapy of systemic cancer, but the pharmacological efficacy is insufficient in the treatment of brain metastases. Fractionated whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) has been a standard treatment of brain metastases, but provides limited local tumor control and often unsatisfactory clinical results. Stereotactic radiosurgery using Gamma Knife, Linac or Cyberknife has overcome several of these limitations, which has influenced recent treatment recommendations. This present review summarizes the current literature of single session radiosurgery concerning survival and quality of life, specific responses, tumor volumes and numbers, about potential treatment combinations and radioresistant metastases. Gamma Knife and Linac based radiosurgery provide consistent results with a reproducible local tumor control in both single and multiple brain metastases. Ideally minimum doses of ≥18Gy are applied. Reported local control rates were 90-94% for breast cancer metastases and 81-98% for brain metastases of lung cancer. Local tumor control rates after radiosurgery of otherwise radioresistant brain metastases were 73-90% for melanoma and 83-96% for renal cell cancer. Currently, there is a tendency to treat a larger number of brain metastases in a single radiosurgical session, since numerous studies document high local tumor control after radiosurgical treatment of >3 brain metastases. New remote brain metastases are reported in 33-42% after WBRT and in 39-52% after radiosurgery, but while WBRT is generally applied only once, radiosurgery can be used repeatedly for remote recurrences or new metastases after WBRT. Larger metastases (>8-10cc) should be removed surgically, but for smaller metastases Gamma Knife radiosurgery appears to be equally effective as surgical tumor resection (level I evidence). Radiosurgery avoids the impairments in cognition and quality of life that can be a consequence of WBRT (level I evidence). High local efficacy, preservation of cerebral functions, short hospitalization and the option to continue a systemic chemotherapy are factors in favor of a minimally invasive approach with stereotactic radiosurgery.

Initial evaluation of intrafraction motion using frameless CyberKnife VSI system

AIM

To analyze intrafraction movement in patients undergoing frameless robotic radiosurgery and evaluate the influence of image acquisition frequency on global accuracy.

BACKGROUND

Stereotactic radiosurgery requires high spatial accuracy in dose delivery. In conventional radiosurgery, a rigid frame is used to guarantee a correct target alignment and no subsequent movement. Frameless radiosurgery with thermoplastic mask for immobilization cannot completely eliminate intrafraction patient movement. In such cases, it is necessary to evaluate its influence on global treatment accuracy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the intrafraction motion of the first 15 patients undergoing intracranial radiosurgery (39 fractions) with the CyberKnife VSI system at our institution. Patient position was measured at a 15-90-s interval and was used to estimate intrafraction patient movement.

RESULTS

With our acquisition image protocol and immobilization device, the 99% displacement error was lower than 0.85 mm. The systematic movement components were lower than 0.05 mm and the random component was lower than 0.3 mm in the 3 translational axes. Clear linear time dependence was found in the random component.

CONCLUSIONS

Selection of the X-ray image acquisition time is necessary to meet the accuracy required for radiosurgery procedures with the CyberKnife VSI system. We verified that our image acquisition protocol met the 1-mm criterion.

The Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology scope of practice guidelines for lung, liver and spine stereotactic body radiotherapy

AIMS

The Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology-Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (CARO-SBRT) Task Force was established in 2010. The aim was to define the scope of practice guidelines for the profession to ensure safe practice specific for the most common sites of lung, liver and spine SBRT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A group of Canadian SBRT experts were charged by our national radiation oncology organisation (CARO) to define the basic principles and technologies for SBRT practice, to propose the minimum technological requirements for safe practice with a focus on simulation and image guidance and to outline procedural considerations for radiation oncology departments to consider when establishing an SBRT programme.

RESULTS

We recognised that SBRT should be considered as a specific programme within a radiation department, and we provide a definition of SBRT according to a Canadian consensus. We outlined the basic requirements for safe simulation as they pertain to spine, lung and liver tumours, and the fundamentals of image guidance. The roles of the radiation oncologist, medical physicist and dosimetrist have been detailed such that we strongly recommend the development of SBRT-specific teams. Quality assurance is a key programmatic aspect for safe SBRT practice, and we outline the basic principles of appropriate quality assurance specific to SBRT.

CONCLUSION

This CARO scope of practice guideline for SBRT is specific to liver, lung and spine tumours. The task force recommendations are designed to assist departments in establishing safe and robust SBRT programmes.

Image-guided radiotherapy: has it influenced patient outcomes?

Cancer control and toxicity outcomes are the mainstay of evidence-based medicine in radiation oncology. However, radiotherapy is an intricate therapy involving numerous processes that need to be executed appropriately in order for the therapy to be delivered successfully. The use of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), referring to imaging occurring in the radiation therapy room with per-patient adjustments, can increase the agreement between the planned and the actual dose delivered. However, the absence of direct evidence regarding the clinical benefit of IGRT has been a criticism. Here, we dissect the role of IGRT in the radiotherapy (RT) process and emphasize its role in improving the quality of the intervention. The literature is reviewed to collect evidence that supports that higher-quality dose delivery enabled by IGRT results in higher clinical control rates, reduced toxicity, and new treatment options for patients that previously were without viable options.

Dependence of intrafraction motion on fraction duration for pediatric patients with brain tumors

The purpose of this study was to quantify the intrafraction motion of pediatric patients with brain tumors during radiation therapy and investigate any correlation between motion, use of general anesthesia, and daily treatment duration. 100 pediatric patients with a mean age of 8.5 years (range: 1.0 to 17.8) were included in this prospective study. Forty-one patients required general anesthesia during treatment, mean age 4.8 years; 59 patients did not, mean age 11.2 years. Each patient had an intracranial tumor and was treated in the supine position with a thermoplastic facemask and headrest for immobilization. A pretreatment localization CBCT was acquired for each treatment fraction and a post-treatment CBCT was acquired every other fraction. If the magnitude of the patient's position pre-CBCT offset was ≥ 2 mm, the position was corrected. The difference between the patient's position based on the post-CBCT and the assumed position at the start of treatment (either the pre-CBCT offset if the magnitude was < 2 mm, or 0 offset due to correction) was determined and labeled intrafraction motion. Correlations between daily treatment duration and intrafraction motion were examined. There was an average of 14.2 post-CBCTs acquired per patient. The magnitude of the mean intrafraction motion was 1.2 ± 0.8 mm for patients requiring general anesthesia, and 1.5 ± 1.2 mm for those without (p < 0.001). The mean offset in each direction was less than 0.5 mm for both cohorts. There was no correlation between daily treatment duration and the magnitude of intrafraction motion. The intrafraction motion of pediatric patients undergoing external beam therapy for intracranial tumors is small, < 2 mm, and is independent of the daily treatment duration.

The CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System in 2010

This review provides a complete technical description of the CyberKnife® VSI™ System, the latest addition to the CyberKnife product family, which was released in September 2009. This review updates the previous technical reviews of the original system version published in the late 1990s. Technical developments over the last decade have impacted virtually every aspect of the CyberKnife System. These developments have increased the geometric accuracy of the system and have enhanced the dosimetric accuracy and quality of treatment, with advanced inverse treatment planning algorithms, rapid Monte Carlo dose calculation, and post-processing tools that allow trade-offs between treatment efficiency and dosimetric quality to be explored. This review provides a system overview with detailed descriptions of key subsystems. A detailed review of studies of geometric accuracy is also included, reporting a wide range of experiments involving phantom tests and patient data. Finally, the relationship between technical developments and the greatly increased range of clinical applications they have allowed is reviewed briefly.