Clinical validation of atlas-based auto-segmentation of pelvic volumes and normal tissue in rectal tumors using auto-segmentation computed system. (November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gambacorta, Maria Antonietta; Valentini, Chiara; Dinapoli, Nicola; Boldrini, Luca; Caria, Nicola; Barba, Maria Cristina; Mattiucci, Gian Carlo; Pasini, Danilo; Minsky, Bruce; Valentini, Vincenzo
• Is Part Of: Acta oncologica. Volume 52:Number 8(2013)
• Page Start: 1676
• Page End: 1681
• Publication Date: 2013-11
• Subjects: Oncology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.992
• DOI: 10.3109/0284186X.2012.754989
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0284-186X

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Purpose.</italic> To evaluate in two different settings – clinical practice and education/training – the reliability, time efficiency and the ideal sequence of an atlas-based auto-segmentation system in pelvic delineation of locally advanced rectal cancer. <italic>Methods.</italic> Fourteen consecutive patients were selected between October and December 2011. The images of four were used as an atlas and 10 used for validation. Two independent operators participated: a Delineator to contour and a Reviewer to perform an independent check (IC). The CTV, pelvic subsites and organs at risk were contoured in four different sequences. These included A: manual; B: auto-segmentation; C: auto-segmentation + manual revision; and D: manual + auto-segmentation + manual revision. Contouring was performed by the Delineator using the same planning CT. All of them underwent an IC by a Reviewer. The time required for all the contours were recorded and overlapping evaluation was assessed using a Dice coefficient. <italic>Results</italic>. In the clinical practice setting there have been 13 minutes time saved between sequences A versus sequences B (from 38 to 25 minutes, p = 0.002), a mean Dice coefficient in favor of sequences A for CTV and all subsites (p = 0.0195). In the educational/training setting there have been 35.2 minutes time saved between sequences C and D 8 (from 73.1 min to 37.9 min, p = 0.002). <italic>Conclusion.</italic> The preliminary data suggest that the use of an atlas-based auto-contouring system may help improve efficiencies in contouring in the clinical practice setting and could have a tutorial role in the educational/training setting.</p> </abstract>