Evaluation of the voluntary deep inspiration breath-hold reproducibility in left-sided breast radiotherapy

• Published in: Journal of X-ray science and technology Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 1057 - 1066
• Main Authors: Ertan, Ferihan, Sahin, Serdar, Azak, Can, Karakaya, Ebru, Altundag, Muzaffer Bedri, Goksel, Fatih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Breast Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Breath Holding; Female; Heart - radiation effects; Humans; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted - methods; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; breath-hold level; real-time position management (RPM); interfraction; deep inspiration; Reproducibility
• ISSN: 0895-3996; 1095-9114
• DOI: 10.3233/XST-221228

Voluntary deep inspiration breath hold (v-DIBH) reduces cardiac dose during left-sided breast irradiation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the reproducibility and variability of breath-hold level (BHL) using breath-hold curves and lateral kV setup images together. A retrospective analysis of 30 left breast cancer patients treated using the v-DIBH technique in our department is performed. The BHL difference is measured from breath hold curves and lateral (LAT) kilo-Voltage (kV) setup images. The planning CT image and the selected treatment fraction data are collected. If the changes in BHL relate to the displacement of various bones in the kV setup, images are assessed. Furthermore, the maximum heart distance inside the treatment field is compared from LAT MV portal images. The median and mean values of the BHL are nearly identical in different fractions (good reproducibility). However, the mean BHL values between planning and all measured fractions are statistically different; 16.3 vs. 20.8 mm for the planning and measured fractions (p < 0.001), which indicates that the variability of BHL is significantly different. While reproducibility testing shows good agreement for inter-fractional breath-hold level, the variability between planning and fractions is relatively poor.