Tissue-specific transformation model for CT-images

During radiotherapy, posture changes and volume changing deformations like growing or shrinking tissue result in anatomical deformations. The basis for investigating the impact of such deformations on dose uncertainties, are model-based tools for deformation analysis. In this context, we propose a transformation model based on the information of CT-images, which allows an on-the-fly calculation of voxel volumes. Our model is based on the concept of the chainmail algorithm and describes deformation on voxel-level. With an exemplary input of a set of landmark pairs, generated by a kinematic head-and-neck skeleton model, CT-images (512x512x126 voxel) can be deformed with an on-the-fly volume calculation in less than 70s. The volume calculation delivers insight into model-characteristic volume changes and is a prerequisite for implementing tissue growth and shrinkage.