Improving deep learning organ segmentation accuracy in cone-beam CT-guided radiotherapy using a robust scatter suppression method

Abstract

Background and purpose Deep learning–based segmentation of organs and tumors in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is critical for improving workflow efficiency and accuracy in dose delivery monitoring and adaptive radiotherapy. However, degraded CBCT image quality, primarily due to scatter, can adversely affect segmentation performance. This study evaluated whether improving CBCT image quality through enhanced scatter mitigation improves deep learning (DL) segmentation accuracy. Materials and methods A quantitative CBCT method incorporating a novel antiscatter grid and dedicated reconstruction pipeline was evaluated in a prospective study of 26 patients with cancers in the prostate, head and neck (H&N), and pelvis/abdomen regions. Each patient underwent both standard-of-care CBCT and quantitative CBCT scans. A foundation model, agnostic to CBCT images, was used to segment 13 organs and targets across CBCT and planning computed tomography (CT) images. DL segmentation accuracy was evaluated using Dice similarity coefficient and maximum Hausdorff distance with respect to clinician-drawn contours. Results Mean Dice coefficients were higher for quantitative CBCT (0.66) compared to standard-of-care CBCT (0.61–0.63, p < 0.05). For the prostate, bladder, and rectum, Dice coefficients improved from 0.68 to 0.81 to 0.80–0.86, with significant gains for the bladder and rectum (p < 0.05). Hausdorff distances were lower for quantitative CBCT in the prostate and pelvis/abdomen regions, indicating improved boundary agreement. In the H&N region, quantitative CBCT did not improve segmentation accuracy. Conclusions Improved quantitative accuracy in CBCT through robust scatter suppression enhances deep learning-based segmentation, particularly for large organs, supporting its role in improving adaptive radiotherapy workflows.