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Multipurpose ultrasound-based prostate phantom for use in interstitial brachytherapy
Amani Shaaer1, Saad Alrashidi2, Hans Chung2
1Department of Physics, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada; Biomedical Physics department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Brachytherapy
|August 23, 2021
Summary
A novel prostate phantom simulator was developed to address declining training opportunities in brachytherapy. This realistic simulator provides excellent image quality and haptic feedback for effective resident training in prostate brachytherapy procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Simulation
- Urological Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Brachytherapy is an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer.
- There has been a decline in brachytherapy training opportunities for residents.
- A need exists for realistic training simulators in prostate brachytherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and fabricate a phantom-based simulator for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate brachytherapy training.
- To evaluate the image quality, haptic feedback, and usability of the developed prostate phantom.
Main Methods:
- A prostate phantom was created using gelatin, graphite, and water, based on patient TRUS scans.
- Image quality was assessed using contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).
- Phantom elasticity was measured using ultrasound elastography, and radiation oncologists provided qualitative feedback.
Main Results:
- The phantom achieved a higher CNR (3.94 ± 1.09) compared to real prostate images (2 ± 1.8).
- The phantom's elasticity (Young's modulus: 58.03 ± 6.24 kPa) closely matched real prostate tissue (58.8 ± 8.2 kPa).
- Radiation oncologists rated the phantom's overall quality and needle insertion as "very good".
Conclusions:
- The developed 3D printed prostate phantom serves as an effective anthropomorphic surrogate for training residents in prostate brachytherapy.
- The phantom demonstrates high fidelity in image quality and tissue elasticity, crucial for realistic surgical simulation.
- This simulator can help improve hands-on training and address the decline in brachytherapy education.
