Automatic segmentation using atlases in head and neck cancers: Methodology

Highly conformal irradiation techniques are associated with steep gradient doses. Accuracy and reproducibility of delineation are required to avoid geometric misses and to properly report dose-volume effects on organs at risk. Guidelines of the International Commission on radiation units have largely contributed to high quality treatments. The ICRU endeavors to collect and evaluate the latest data and information pertinent to the problems of radiation measurement and dosimetry. There remains a need for delineation guidelines and automatic segmentation tools in routine practice. Among these tools, atlas-based segmentation has been shown to provide promising results. The methodology used for head and neck cancer patients is illustrated. (authors)