Adding a Small Field of View for Increased Resolution in Contouring: An Effective and Quick Method.

Image resolution is paramount when contouring complex anatomy, as in head and neck planning. It is notable that when diagnostic radiologists perform a computed tomography scan of the neck, they always use a small field of view because it gives the best image resolution. When planning for radiation treatment, however, it is also necessary to have a large field of view to provide a comprehensive external contour that allows for radiation dose calculation. We present a simple method to obtain both small and large fields of view at the time of computed tomography simulation.