Intra-fraction setup variability in radiotherapy
Author Information
Author(s): Spadea Maria Francesca, Tagaste Barbara, Riboldi Marco, Preve Eleonora, Alterio Daniela, Piperno Gaia, Garibaldi Cristina, Orecchia Roberto, Pedotti Antonio, Baroni Guido
Primary Institution: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università degli Studi Magna Græcia, Catanzaro, Italy
Hypothesis
This study investigates intra-fraction setup variability in hypo-fractionated cranial and body radiotherapy.
Conclusion
Optical tracking highlighted negligible intra-fraction motion at both cranial and extra-cranial sites, while X-ray imaging showed larger motion with significant inter-patient variability.
Supporting Evidence
- Optical measurements showed median intra-fraction motion of 0.3 mm for cranial patients.
- X-ray measurements indicated larger intra-fraction motion of 0.9 mm for cranial patients.
- Statistical differences were found between optical and X-ray systems in each patient population.
Takeaway
The study looked at how much patients move during radiation treatment and found that using infrared tracking is better than X-ray for keeping track of that movement.
Methodology
Data from 87 patients treated with hypo-fractionated radiotherapy were analyzed using infrared optical localization and X-ray imaging to measure intra-fraction motion.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the use of different measurement techniques (optical vs. X-ray) and the influence of patient setup on measurement accuracy.
Limitations
Data acquisition was limited by clinical routine and personnel availability, leading to incomplete data for some treatment fractions.
Participant Demographics
Patients included 18 cranial, 26 abdominal, and 43 lung patients treated between May 2007 and March 2009.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<10-6
Statistical Significance
p<10-6
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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