Effects of video digitization of ultrasound images in predicting pubic arch interference for prostate brachytherapy

摘要

Abstract: Prostate brachytherapy is an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. It has been recently shown that prior to surgery a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) study of the prostate and pubic arch can effectively assess pubic arch interference (PAI), a major stumbling block for the brachytherapy procedure. This study involved the use of digital images acquired directly from an ultrasound (US) machine. However, not all US machines allow the saving or transfer of digital image data. To allow PAI assessment regardless of US platform, we need to digitize the images from the US video output when there is no direct digital saving/transfer capability. During video digitization, the internal digital images go through a D/A and A/D conversion process, introducing quantization errors and other noises. To show that PAI assessment is still viable on the digitized images, we evaluated and refined a PAI assessment algorithm to predict the location of the pubic arch on both digital images and those captured after digitization. These predicted arch locations were statistically compared to each other. Based on the results from 33 patients, we conclude that the ability to assess PAI from TRUS images is not affected by video digitization. !16