“Augmented Reality” in Conventional Simulation by Projection of 3-D Structures into 2-D Images

• DOI: 10.1007/s00066-008-1742-5
• Publication Date: 2008-02-07T17:10:28Z
• Authors: Heinz Deutschmann; Philipp Steininger; Olaf Nairz; Peter Kopp; Florian Merz; Karl Wurstbauer; Franz Zehentmayr; Gerd Fastner; Manfred Kranzinger; Gerhard Kametriser; Michael Kopp; Felix Sedlmayer
• Keywords: Reproducibility of Results; Models, Biological; Sensitivity and Specificity; Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted; User-Computer Interface; 03 medical and health sciences; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Computer Simulation; Radiotherapy, Conformal; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

In this study, a new method is introduced, which allows the overlay of three-dimensional structures, that have been delineated on transverse slices, onto the fluoroscopy from conventional simulators in real time.Setup deviations between volumetric imaging and simulation were visualized, measured and corrected for 701 patient isocenters.Comparing the accuracy to mere virtual simulation lacking additional X-ray imaging, a clear benefit of the new method could be shown. On average, virtual prostate simulations had to be corrected by 0.48 cm (standard deviation [SD] 0.38), and those of the breast by 0.67 cm (SD 0.66).The presented method provides an easy way to determine entity-specific safety margins related to patient setup errors upon registration of bony anatomy (prostate 0.9 cm for 90% of cases, breast 1.3 cm). The important role of planar X-ray imaging was clearly demonstrated. The innovation can also be applied to adaptive image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) protocols.