Contouring Workshop September 29, 2016 2-3P.M.
Topics covered: Basic tool use, post processing tools, custom boolean contouring
Summary:
Early on in my clinical rotations I had the opportunity to attend a “MIMU Maestro tools” webinar hosted MIM software Inc. This was an educational conference provided by the vendor to discuss contouring tools within the MIM system. At my clinical site we do all treatment planning and most contouring through Pinnacle. We use MIM for fusions, composite plan evaluation, and to generate mean studies on 4D scans. The MIM webinar I attended described some of the MIM workflow and contouring features that can be applied when performing a fusion or other task. After the MIM training seminar I was able to see the benefit of the unique features offered by MIM and how they might be applied in the clinical setting.
Some of the features covered in the MIMU Maestro tools seminar displayed methods to automate workflow. One time saving feature covered during the webinar was the use of a “contouring atlas.” The contouring atlas software compares patient anatomy to data gathered from existing contoured scans in a look up table fashion. When a contouring atlas is implemented all predefined critical structures can be automatically loaded, contoured, and followed up with dosimetrist review and edits if needed. For example, a planner may load a prostate contour atlas and a skin, femoral heads, bladder, and rectum contour are automatically created. Another feature known as “custom Boolean contouring” allows the dosimetrist to create multiple contours by designating steps within a workflow. For example as a gross tumor volume (GTV) is drawn and a Boolean preset would automatically draw CTV, and/or ITV expansions. These workflow tools can be especially helpful when attempting to recreate a previously administered plan from an outside facility. The physician may not be concerned with painstakingly reproducing previous treatment contours and structures. Instead a quick general idea of the areas affected may be preferred. Contouring atlas and Boolean contouring are two time saving workflow features.
The MIMU webinar also introduced attendees to contouring tools that remove individual subjectivity from the treatment planning process. The “dynamic brush” tool is one such contouring feature that determines Hounsfield unit values of the structures being contoured and will only contour surrounding tissues of similar density. This tool can be useful in instances where scatter artifact is being contoured and overridden. The “PET edge” is a gradient based technique to aid in tumor volume contouring based off of PET fusions. PET edge reduces variations in volume that can occur when different window and level settings are applied. In both of these examples contours can potentially differ greatly from one individual to another. With the use of automated tools individual variation is removed from the equation and a more constant standard can be applied to treatment planning.
Most of the contouring at my clinic is done through Pinnacle and MIM is only used for specific applications. However, I can see the value in any tool that helps to streamline the treatment planning process and make it more accurate. The MIMU webinar covered a multitude of tools and features that can benefit and expedite treatment planning. I would be willing to consider taking advantage of those features in the future for instances where I am working with the MIM system.
Topics covered: Basic tool use, post processing tools, custom boolean contouring
Summary:
Early on in my clinical rotations I had the opportunity to attend a “MIMU Maestro tools” webinar hosted MIM software Inc. This was an educational conference provided by the vendor to discuss contouring tools within the MIM system. At my clinical site we do all treatment planning and most contouring through Pinnacle. We use MIM for fusions, composite plan evaluation, and to generate mean studies on 4D scans. The MIM webinar I attended described some of the MIM workflow and contouring features that can be applied when performing a fusion or other task. After the MIM training seminar I was able to see the benefit of the unique features offered by MIM and how they might be applied in the clinical setting.
Some of the features covered in the MIMU Maestro tools seminar displayed methods to automate workflow. One time saving feature covered during the webinar was the use of a “contouring atlas.” The contouring atlas software compares patient anatomy to data gathered from existing contoured scans in a look up table fashion. When a contouring atlas is implemented all predefined critical structures can be automatically loaded, contoured, and followed up with dosimetrist review and edits if needed. For example, a planner may load a prostate contour atlas and a skin, femoral heads, bladder, and rectum contour are automatically created. Another feature known as “custom Boolean contouring” allows the dosimetrist to create multiple contours by designating steps within a workflow. For example as a gross tumor volume (GTV) is drawn and a Boolean preset would automatically draw CTV, and/or ITV expansions. These workflow tools can be especially helpful when attempting to recreate a previously administered plan from an outside facility. The physician may not be concerned with painstakingly reproducing previous treatment contours and structures. Instead a quick general idea of the areas affected may be preferred. Contouring atlas and Boolean contouring are two time saving workflow features.
The MIMU webinar also introduced attendees to contouring tools that remove individual subjectivity from the treatment planning process. The “dynamic brush” tool is one such contouring feature that determines Hounsfield unit values of the structures being contoured and will only contour surrounding tissues of similar density. This tool can be useful in instances where scatter artifact is being contoured and overridden. The “PET edge” is a gradient based technique to aid in tumor volume contouring based off of PET fusions. PET edge reduces variations in volume that can occur when different window and level settings are applied. In both of these examples contours can potentially differ greatly from one individual to another. With the use of automated tools individual variation is removed from the equation and a more constant standard can be applied to treatment planning.
Most of the contouring at my clinic is done through Pinnacle and MIM is only used for specific applications. However, I can see the value in any tool that helps to streamline the treatment planning process and make it more accurate. The MIMU webinar covered a multitude of tools and features that can benefit and expedite treatment planning. I would be willing to consider taking advantage of those features in the future for instances where I am working with the MIM system.