Evaluation of the high definition field of view option of a large-bore computed tomography scanner for radiation therapy simulation.

Background And Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) scanning is the basis for radiation treatment planning, but the 50-cm standard scanning field of view (sFOV) may be too small for imaging larger patients. We evaluated the 65-cm high-definition (HD) FOV of a large-bore CT scanner for CT number accuracy, geometric distortion, image quality degradation, and dosimetric accuracy of photon treatment plans.

Materials And Methods: CT number accuracy was tested by placing two 16-cm acrylic phantoms on either side of a 40-cm phantom to simulate a large patient extending beyond the 50-cm-diameter standard scanning FOV.

Safety and Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Simulation for Radiation Treatment Planning in Pediatric Patients: A Single Institution Experience.

Purpose: This study aimed to report on the safety, feasibility, and workflow of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation, while immobilized in the treatment position, for radiation therapy treatment planning in the pediatric population.

Methods And Materials: Between May and December 2017, 10 pediatric patients completed both MRI and computed tomography imaging simulation in treatment immobilization for radiation therapy planning for central nervous system disease. We report our initial institutional experience and workflow of the use of MRI simulation in immobilization for treatment planning in this population.

Predicting treatment Response based on Dual assessment of magnetic resonance Imaging kinetics and Circulating Tumor cells in patients with Head and Neck cancer (PREDICT-HN): matching 'liquid biopsy' and quantitative tumor modeling.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has improved capacity to visualize tumor and soft tissue involvement in head and neck cancers. Using advanced MRI, we can interrogate cell density using diffusion weighted imaging, a quantitative imaging that can be used during radiotherapy, when diffuse inflammatory reaction precludes PET imaging, and can assist with target delineation as well. Correlation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) measurements with 3D quantitative tumor characterization could potentially allow selective, patient-specific response-adapted escalation or de-escalation of local therapy, and improve the therapeutic ratio, curing the greatest number of patients with the least toxicity.