Evaluation of the Ethos synthetic computed tomography for bolus-covered surfaces

Ethos allows online adaption of radiotherapy treatment plans. Dose is calculated on synthetic computed tomographies (sCT), CT-like images generated by deforming planning CTs (pCT) onto daily cone beam CTs (CBCT) acquired during treatment sessions. Errors in sCT density distribution may lead to dose calculation errors. sCT correctness was investigated for bolus-covered surfaces.

pCTs were recorded of a slab phantom covered with bolus of different thicknesses and with air gaps introduced by spacer rings of variable diameters and heights. Treatment plans were irradiated following the adaptive workflow with different bolus configurations present in the pCT and CBCT. sCT densities were compared to those of the pCT for the same air gap size. Additionally, the neck region of an anthropomorphic phantom was imaged using a plane standard bolus versus an individual bolus adapted to the phantom's outer contour.

Varying bolus thickness by 5 mm between pCT and CBCT was reproduced in the sCT within 2 mm accuracy. Different air gaps in pCT and CBCT resulted in highly variable bolus thickness in the sCT with a typical error of 5 mm or more. In extreme cases, air gaps were filled with bolus material density in the sCT or the phantom was unrealistically deformed near changed bolus geometries. Changes in bolus thickness and deformation also occurred in the anthropomorphic phantom.

sCTs must be critically examined and included in plan-specific quality assurance. The use of tight-fitting air gap-free bolus should be preferred to increase the similarity between sCT and CBCT.