Applications of computers in radiation treatment planning utilizing CT images

A system of programs which has been written for inclusion into a modified TP-11 treatment planning system is described. The programs permit direct interaction between CT images and treatment planning routines. The precision, ease and speed of localization afforded by direct use of CT images is shown to improve the efficacy of computerized treatment planning. An interface edge and neighborhooding scheme for automatic contour delineation directly from CT images is presented. Routines are incorporated to provide color displays of dose distributions superimposed onto gray scale CT images. Point doses within the calculation grid are interactively displayed by a cursor technique. Clinical testing of the system has been carried out at several major institutions.