Detection of brachytherapy seeds using 3-D transrectal ultrasound

Detection of brachytherapy seeds plays a key role in dosimetry for prostate brachytherapy. However, seed localization using B-mode transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) still remains a challenge for prostate brachytherapy, mainly due to the small size of brachytherapy seeds in the relatively low-quality B-mode TRUS images. In this paper, we propose a new solution for brachytherapy seed detection using 3-D ultrasound. A 3-D reflected power image is computed from ultrasound RF signals, instead of conventional B-mode images. Then, implanted seeds are segmented in 3-D local search spaces that are determined by a priori knowledge, e.g., needle entry points and seed placements. Needle insertion tracks are also detected locally by the Hough transform. Experimental results show that the proposed solution works well for seed localization in a prostate phantom implanted according to a realistic treatment plan with 136 seeds from 26 needles.