Intraobserver and Interobserver Variability in GTV Delineation on FDG-PET-CT Images of Head and Neck Cancers

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.12.039· OSTI ID:20951703

Breen, Stephen L ^[1]; Publicover, Julia ^[1]; De Silva, Shiroma ^[1]; Pond, Greg ^[2]; Brock, Kristy ^[1]; O'Sullivan, Brian ^[1]; Cummings, Bernard; Dawson, Laura; Kim, John; Ringash, Jolie; Waldron, John ^[1]; Keller, Anne ^[3]; Yu, Eugene; Hendler, Aaron ^[3]

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1. Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
2. Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario (Canada)
3. Joint Department of Medical Imaging of Mount Sinai Hospital and University Health Network, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario (Canada)

Purpose: To determine if the addition of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) data changes primary site gross tumor volumes (GTVs) in head and neck cancers. Methods and Materials: Computed tomography (CT), contrast-enhanced CT, and FDG-PET-CT scans were obtained in 10 patients with head and neck cancers. Eight experienced observers (6 head and neck oncologists and 2 neuro-radiologists) with access to clinical and radiologic reports outlined primary site GTVs on each modality. Three cases were recontoured twice to assess intraobserver variability. The magnitudes of the GTVs were compared. Intra- and interobserver variability was assessed by a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Inter- and intraobserver reliability were calculated. Results: There were no significant differences in the GTVs across the image modalities when compared as ensemble averages; the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test showed that CT volumes were larger than PET-CT. Observers demonstrated the greatest consistency and were most interchangeable on contrast-enhanced CT; they performed less reliably on PET-CT. Conclusions: The addition of PET-CT to primary site GTV delineation of head and neck cancers does not change the volume of the GTV defined by this group of expert observers in this patient sample. An FDG-PET may demonstrate differences in neck node delineation and in other disease sites.

• OSTI ID: 20951703
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 68; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
CARCINOMAS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
FLUORINE 18
FLUORODEOXYGLUCOSE
HEAD
IMAGES
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
NECK
PATIENTS
POSITRON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
RADIOTHERAPY