Feasibility of improving cone-beam CT number consistency using a scatter correction algorithm

The study was to explore the feasibility of improving cone-beam CT (CBCT) number (corresponding to the Hounsfield units in computed tomography) consistency using a scatter-correction algorithm, with the aim of using CBCT images for treatment planning with density correction. A scatter-correction algorithm was applied to a Varian OBI CBCT and an Elekta XVI CBCT, and was evaluated for improving CBCT number consistency. CBCT numbers of phantom materials were compared between images with and without bolus, which introduced additional scatter, and with and without scatter-correction processing. It was observed that CBCT numbers were different in the images with and without bolus in both CBCT studies, and the differences were reduced remarkably after scatter-correction processing. Results showed that CBCT number consistency was significantly improved by use of the scatter-correction algorithm.