Functional Swallowing Units (FSUs) as organs-at-risk for radiotherapy. PART 2: Advanced delineation guidelines for FSUs

Abstract

Detailed delineation guidelines are presented for seven FSUs involved in HLE, TBR and tongue motion. The guidelines are supplemented by CT and MRI-based exemplary illustrations and complete CT/MRI-based delineation atlases (available online). This paper provides information essential to the implementation of the FSU concept in radiation practice, and supports uniform contouring, data collection and further improvement of swallowing sparing radiation-based strategies.