Computed Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CT/MRI) Image Registration and Fusion Assessment for Accurate Glioblastoma Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

In this study, computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) image registration and fusion in the 3D conformal radiotherapy treatment planning of Glioblastoma brain tumor was investigated. Good CT/MRI image registration and fusion made a great impact on dose calculation and treatment planning accuracy. Indeed, the uncertainly associated with the registration and fusion methods must be well verified and communicated. Unfortunately, there is no standard procedure or mathematical formalism to perform this verification due to noise, distortion, and complicated anatomical situations.

This study aimed at assessing the effective contribution of MRI in Glioma radiotherapy treatment by improving the localization of target volumes and organs at risk (OARs). It is also a question to provide clinicians with some suitable metrics to evaluate the CT/MRI image registration and fusion results.

Quantitative image registration and fusion evaluation were used in this study to compare Eclipse TPS tools and Elastix CT/MRI image registration fusion. Thus, Dice score coefficient (DSC), Jaccard similarity coefficient (JSC), and Hausdorff distance (HD) were found to be suitable metrics for the evaluation and comparison of the image registration and fusion methods of Eclipse TPS and Elastix.

The programmed tumor’s volumes (PTV) delineated on CT slices were approximately 1.38 times smaller than those delineated on CT/MRI fused images. Large differences were observed for the edema and the brainstem. It was also found that MRI considerably optimized the dose to be delivered to the optic nerve and brainstem.

Image registration and fusion is a fundamental step for suitable and efficient Glioma treatment planning in 3D conformal radiotherapy that ensure accurate dose delivery and unnecessary OAR irradiation. MRI can provide accurate localization of targeted volumes leading to better irradiation control of Glioma tumor.