Incorporating three-dimensional ultrasound into permanent breast seed implant brachytherapy treatment planning.

PURPOSE: Planning permanent breast seed implant (PBSI) brachytherapy using CT alone may reduce treatment accuracy because of differences in seroma visualization compared with ultrasound (US). This study evaluates dosimetric effects of seroma delineation in PBSI and the potential impact of incorporating three-dimensional (3D) US into PBSI treatment planning.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Spatially coregistered CT and 3D US images from 10 patients were retrospectively analyzed to simulate the PBSI procedure. Seromas contoured on CT and US defined clinical target volumes, CTVCT and CTVUS , which were expanded to create planning target volumes (PTVs). PBSI plans were generated using PTVCT alone, and the resulting coverage to PTVUS was evaluated. To assess the potential impact of transferring to an US-guided procedure, the CT-based plans were centered on CTVUS . The volume encompassed by both PTVs was used to evaluate how 3D US can affect the planning procedure.

RESULTS: Median (range) PTVCT V100 was 95.6% (93.3-97.3%), resulting in PTVUS coverage of 91.5% (80.5-97.9%). Centering plans on CTVUS decreased PTVCT V100 by a mean of 10 ± 8%, and increased PTVUS V100 by 5 ± 4%. The combined PTVs were a mean 9±6% larger than PTVCT . Acceptable dosimetry to the combined PTVs resulted in sufficient coverage to individual PTVs but with a mean 11 ± 24% increase to skin dose and 6 ± 8% increase in breast V200 .

CONCLUSIONS: Differences in seroma visualization have dosimetric effects in PBSI. CT-based plans can underdose US-defined volumes and may not adequately translate to an US-guided procedure. Implementing 3D US into planning can potentially compensate for differences in delineation.