Consideration of the Effect of Artifact during the Image Guided Radiation Therapy Using the Fiducial Marker

The effect of artifact was analyzed, which occurs from fiducial marker during the liver Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) using the fiducial marker. The size of artifact of fixed fiducial marker and length of mobile fiducial marker locus were measured using the On-Board Imager system (OBI) and CT simulator, and 2D-2D matching and 3D-3D matching were carried out, respectively, and at this time, the coordinates transition value of couch was analyzed. The measurement of fixed fiducial marker artifact size indicated CT 4.90, 8.10, 12.90, 19.70 mm and OBI 5.60, 10.60, 14.70, 29.40 mm based on the reference CT slice thickness of 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 mm. Meanwhile, the measurement of mobile fiducial marker locus length indicated CT 42.00, 43.10, 46.50 mm, and OBI 43.40, 46.00, 49.30 mm. The coordinates transition of 1.00, 2.00, and 8.00 mm occurred between 2D-2D matching and 3D-3D matching. It was confirmed that the therapy error increased during IGRT due to the influence of artifact when CT slice thickness increased. Thus, it may be desirable to acquire the image less than 2.50 mm in slice thickness when IGRT is implemented using the fiducial marker.