Interobserver reliability of computed tomographic contouring of canine tonsils in radiation therapy treatment planning

Abstract

In radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning for canine head and neck cancer, the tonsils may be included as part of the treated volume. Delineation of tonsils on computed tomography (CT) scans is difficult. Error or uncertainty in the volume and location of contoured structures may result in treatment failure. The purpose of this prospective, observer agreement study was to assess the interobserver agreement of tonsillar contouring by two groups of trained observers. Thirty dogs undergoing pre- and post-contrast CT studies of the head were included. After the pre- and postcontrast CT scans, the tonsils were identified via direct visualization, barium paste was applied bilaterally to the visible tonsils, and a third CT scan was acquired. Data from each of the three CT scans were registered in an RT treatment planning system. Two groups of observers (one veterinary radiologist and one veterinary radiation oncologist in each group) contoured bilateral tonsils by consensus, obtaining three sets of contours. Tonsil volume and location data were obtained from both groups. The contour volumes and locations were compared between groups using mixed (fixed and random effect) linear models. There was no significant difference between each group's contours in terms of three-dimensional coordinates. However there was a significant difference between each group's contours in terms of the tonsillar volume (P < 0.0001). Pre- and postcontrast CT can be used to identify the location of canine tonsils with reasonable agreement between trained observers. Discrepancy in tonsillar volume between groups of trained observers may affect RT treatment outcome.