Using the gamma-index analysis for inter-fractional comparison of in-beam PET images for head-and-neck treatment monitoring in proton therapy: A Monte Carlo simulation study

In-beam Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a technique for in-vivo non-invasive treatment monitoring for proton therapy. To detect anatomical changes in patients with PET, various analysis methods exist, but their clinical interpretation is problematic. The goal of this work is to investigate whether the gamma-index analysis, widely used for dose comparisons, is an appropriate tool for comparing in-beam PET distributions. Focusing on a head-and-neck patient, we investigate whether the gamma-index map and the passing rate are sensitive to progressive anatomical changes.
Source: Physica Medica: European Journal of Medical Physics - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Original paper Source Type: research