Comparison of Heuristic Evaluation and Think Aloud Methods

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 230-237
Author(s):  
Anjana Ramkumar ◽  
Yu Song ◽  
Edit Varga ◽  
Wiro J. Niessen ◽  
Anne Laprie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Think Aloud ◽  
Heuristic Evaluation ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Software Interface ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Tumour Delineation

During the radiotherapy planning process patient’s medical images are used to determine the optimum configuration of radiation beams for their cancer treatment. The primary aim of radiotherapy planning is to maximize radiation dose to the patient’s tumour while sparing their normal tissues. To achieve this, the boundary of the tumour needs to be accurately identified in the treatment planning process, especially in the step of target volume delineation. Clinically, tumour delineation is performed by physicians, either manually or using semi-automatic/automatic software based on the patient’s CT, PET and/or MRI images. In addition to the expertise of the physician and choices of segmentation algorithms, the usability of the software also plays an important role in the tumour delineation process. In this paper, the usability of the IPLAN® contouring software was evaluated. First, two evaluators assessed the software according to the heuristic evaluation method. Then three physicians evaluated the same system using the think aloud method. The outcomes of the experiments revealed different insights of the system. With the think aloud method, it was easier to identify end users’ preferences regarding both software interface and hardware input tools. On the other hand, the heuristic evaluation method uncovered more specific issues with the interface. Besides, this method was able to explore more details regarding individual functionalities on the interface. Based on the comparison of the outcomes of both methods, it is suggested that in the process of improving usability of the contouring interface, the think aloud method can be applied to explore preferences of the user. The heuristic evaluation can be applied in designing the details of the interface.

scholarly journals Advanced Imaging Techniques for Radiotherapy Planning of Gliomas

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1063
Author(s):  
Antonella Castellano ◽  
Michele Bailo ◽  
Francesco Cicone ◽  
Luciano Carideo ◽  
Natale Quartuccio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Tumor Control ◽  
Current Standard ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Hemodynamic Information

The accuracy of target delineation in radiation treatment (RT) planning of cerebral gliomas is crucial to achieve high tumor control, while minimizing treatment-related toxicity. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences, represents the current standard imaging modality for target volume delineation of gliomas. However, conventional sequences have limited capability to discriminate treatment-related changes from viable tumors, owing to the low specificity of increased blood-brain barrier permeability and peritumoral edema. Advanced physiology-based MRI techniques, such as MR spectroscopy, diffusion MRI and perfusion MRI, have been developed for the biological characterization of gliomas and may circumvent these limitations, providing additional metabolic, structural, and hemodynamic information for treatment planning and monitoring. Radionuclide imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) with amino acid radiopharmaceuticals, are also increasingly used in the workup of primary brain tumors, and their integration in RT planning is being evaluated in specialized centers. This review focuses on the basic principles and clinical results of advanced MRI and PET imaging techniques that have promise as a complement to RT planning of gliomas.

Technical illustration of Volumetric arc conformal radiotherapy planning in a case of paratesticular sarcoma

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Anil Gupta ◽  
Rambha Pandey ◽  
Seema Sharma ◽  
Vivek Ghosh ◽  
Ekta Dhamija ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organs At Risk ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Malignant Tumours ◽  
Target Volume Delineation ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Delivery Technique ◽  
Technical Illustration

Abstract Introduction: Paratesticular sarcoma are extremely rare malignant tumours. Unlike other sites, they tend to be lower grade and have higher propensity of lymphatic spread. They tend to fail locally and occasionally in the regional lymph nodes. In the absence of target volume delineation guidelines and technical illustration of conformal planning, we have made an attempt to illustrate conformal planning methodology and define target volume based on current evidence in a case of paratesticular sarcoma. Methods: We are presenting a case of 62-year-old male who presented with 15-cm scrotal swelling and underwent high inguinal orchidectomy with ligation of spermatic cord. Histopathology presented a well-differentiated leiomyosarcoma of epididymis. Post-operative radiotherapy target volume included the tumour bed, ipsilateral inguinal nodes and lower pelvic nodes as the clinical target volume. Conclusion: Adjuvant radiotherapy using advanced delivery technique such as volumetric arc technique can provide good dose distribution with good sparing of organs at risk. The downside of conformal radiation delivery is that it is a resource-intensive and has no established target volume delineation guidelines.

Evaluation of Hybrid PET/MRI for Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) Delineation in Liver Cancer Radiotherapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan-Nan Zhang ◽  
Xin Lu ◽  
Zhen-Guo Lu ◽  
Li-Ping Fu ◽  
Jun Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Gross Tumor Volume ◽  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Dice Similarity Coefficient ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Positron Emission

Abstract Background: Hybrid 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) has been increasingly incorporated into the practice of radiation oncologists since it contains both anatomical and biological data and may bring about personalized radiation plans for each patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation from hybrid PET/MRI compared with that from current-practice MRI during radiotherapy planning in patients with liver cancer. Methods: Twelve patients (eighteen lesions) with liver cancer were enrolled in this study. We chose one of the most popular delineating methods—the visual method—in this study, and three physicians delineated the target volume of each lesion from MRI, PET, and hybrid PET/MRI images. The difference and correlation of GTV values obtained by MRI, PET and hybrid PET/MRI were subjected to statistical analysis. In addition, the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was calculated to assess the spatial overlap. GTV-MRI was set as a reference. Results: Most GTV-PET/MRI (83%) and 50% of GTV-PET were larger than the reference GTV-MRI. Statistical analysis revealed that GTV-PET/MRI (p=0.021) diverged statistically significantly from the reference GTV-MRI. In contrast, GTV-PET (p=0.266) was not significantly different from GTV-MRI. GTV-PET (r=0.991, p<0.001) and GTV-PET/MRI (r=0.997, p<0.001) were significantly related to GTV-MRI. The average DSC value between GTV-MRI and GTV-PET was 0.45 (range 0–0.90) and that between GTV-MRI and GTV-PET/MRI was 0.76 (range 0.43–0.90). Conclusions: With the database used, PET/MRI-based target volume delineation for liver cancer is feasible. The larger GTV-PET/MRI may allow adequate irradiation of the diseased tissue and improved treatment effect.

scholarly journals Visualization of 4D-PET/CT, Target Volumes and Dose Distribution: Applications in Radiotherapy Planning

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Schlachter ◽  
Tobias Fechter ◽  
Ursula Nestle ◽  
Katja Bühler
Keyword(s):  
Dose Distribution ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Visualization System ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Target Volumes

In radiation treatment (RT) planning medical doctors need to consider a variety of information sources for anatomical and functional target volume delineation. The validation and inspection of the defined target volumes and the resulting RT plan is a complex task, especially in the presence of moving target areas as it is the case for tumors of the chest and the upper abdomen. A 4D-PET/CT visualization system may become a helpful tool for validating RT plans. We define major requirements such a visualization system should fulfill to provide medical doctors with the necessary visual information to validate tumor delineations, and review the dose distribution of a RT plan. We present an implementation of such a system, and present qualitative results of its applications for a lung cancer patient.

scholarly journals Conformal Radiotherapy Facilitates the Delivery of Concurrent Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy: A Case of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour of the Chest Wall

Sarcoma ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Coles ◽  
N. Twyman ◽  
H. M. Earl ◽  
N. G. Burnet
Keyword(s):  
Chest Wall ◽  
Organs At Risk ◽  
Conformal Radiotherapy ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Concurrent Chemotherapy ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Neuroectodermal Tumour ◽  
Red Marrow

We illustrate the principle of conformal radiotherapy by discussing the case of a patient with a primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the chest wall. Recent advances in radiotherapy planning enable precise localization of the planning target volume (PTV) and normal organs at risk of irradiation. Customized blocks are subsequently designed to produce a treatment field that ‘conforms’ to the PTV. The use of conformal radiotherapy (CRT) in this case facilitated the delivery of concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy by significantly reducing the volume of red marrow irradiated.The lack of acute and late toxicities was attributed to optimal exclusion of normal tissues from the treatment field, made possible by CRT.

The potential advantages of 18FDG PET/CT-based target volume delineation in radiotherapy planning of head and neck cancer

2010 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell N. Moule ◽  
Irfan Kayani ◽  
Syed A. Moinuddin ◽  
Khalda Meer ◽  
Catherine Lemon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Target Volume Delineation ◽  
18Fdg Pet ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Pet Ct

scholarly journals Contribution of PET imaging to radiotherapy planning and monitoring in glioma patients - a report of the PET/RANO group

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Galldiks ◽  
Maximilian Niyazi ◽  
Anca L Grosu ◽  
Martin Kocher ◽  
Karl-Josef Langen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pet Imaging ◽  
Multimodality Treatment ◽  
Response Assessment ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Radiotherapy Planning ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Based Medicine

Abstract The management of patients with glioma usually requires multimodality treatment including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy. Accurate neuroimaging plays a central role for radiotherapy planning and follow-up after radiotherapy completion. In order to maximize the radiation dose to the tumor and to minimize toxic effects on the surrounding brain parenchyma, reliable identification of tumor extent and target volume delineation is crucial. The use of positron emission tomography (PET) for radiotherapy planning and monitoring in gliomas has gained considerable interest over the last several years, but Class I data are not yet available. Furthermore, PET has been used after radiotherapy for response assessment and to distinguish tumor progression from pseudoprogression or radiation necrosis. Here, the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) working group provides a summary of the literature and recommendations for the use of PET imaging for radiotherapy of patients with glioma based on published studies, constituting levels 1-3 evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine.

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