Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Expedited Radiation Biodosimetry by Automated Dicentric Chromosome Identification (ADCI) and Dose Estimation
Published on: September 4, 2017
Confidence intervals in dose volume histogram computation
Francisco Cutanda Henríquez1, Silvia Vargas Castrillón
1Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maraihdn, Calle Doctor Esquerdo, 46 28007, Madrid, Spain. francisco.cutanda@salud.madrid.org
Purpose:
Dose volume histograms (DVHs) are used in radiation therapy plan optimization and evaluation. Irradiation strategies are decided at the planning step, and an assessment of the reliability of computed dose distributions and DVHs is needed to ensure that decisions are made based on reliable information. This work describes a method used to assign confidence intervals to DVHs, caused by the uncertainty associated with dose computation.
Methods:
A simple mathematical model has been developed, based on several alternative models for point dose uncertainty (rectangular, triangular, and Gaussian probability distributions). The result is an alpha-DVH, to be computed for two a values (0.25/0.75 or 0.10/0.90) to obtain a confidence interval. This method has been applied to several DVH curves.
Results:
alpha-DVHs are dependent on the point uncertainty probability distribution, on the standard uncertainty, and on the choice of confidence level. Confidence intervals can be assigned either to the volume encompassed by an isodose level or to the dose corresponding to a given volume.
Conclusions:
alpha-DVHs provide bounds for DVH values while dose expected volume histograms can be used as central estimates for DVH when uncertainty is taken into account. They are particularly useful when an optimization approach is necessary.
More Related Videos
07:31Characterization of Recombination Effects in a Liquid Ionization Chamber Used for the Dosimetry of a Radiosurgical Accelerator
Published on: May 9, 2014
07:57Positron Emission Tomography-based Dose Painting Radiation Therapy in a Glioblastoma Rat Model using the Small Animal Radiation Research Platform
Published on: March 24, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Uncertainty: Confidence Intervals
Interpretation of Confidence Intervals
Confidence intervals have confidence coefficients that are crucial for their interpretation. The most common confidence coefficients are 0.90, 0.95, and 0.99, which can be written as percentages–90%, 95%, and 99%, respectively.
Suppose a person calculates a confidence interval with a confidence coefficient of 0.95. In that case, they can...
Dose Size and Dosing Frequency: Determination Methods
Confidence Intervals
A confidence...
Confidence Coefficient
Critical Values