Magnetic resonance imaging basics for the prostate brachytherapist

Jihong Wang; Kari Tanderup; Adam Cunha; Antonio L Damato; Gil'ad N Cohen; Rajat J Kudchadker; Firas Mourtada

doi:10.1016/j.brachy.2017.03.004

Magnetic resonance imaging basics for the prostate brachytherapist

Brachytherapy. 2017 Jul-Aug;16(4):715-727. doi: 10.1016/j.brachy.2017.03.004. Epub 2017 Apr 7.

Authors

Jihong Wang¹, Kari Tanderup², Adam Cunha³, Antonio L Damato⁴, Gil'ad N Cohen⁴, Rajat J Kudchadker⁵, Firas Mourtada⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Electronic address: jihong.wang@mdanderson.org.
² Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
³ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California-San Francisco, CA.
⁴ Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
⁵ Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
⁶ Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; Department of Radiation Oncology, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Newark, DE; Department of Radiation Oncology, Bodine Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: fmourtada@christianacare.org.

PMID: 28396178
DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2017.03.004

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being used in radiation therapy, and integration of MRI into brachytherapy in particular is becoming more common. We present here a systematic review of the basic physics and technical aspects of incorporating MRI into prostate brachytherapy. Terminology and MRI system components are reviewed along with typical work flows in prostate high-dose-rate and low-dose-rate brachytherapy. In general, the brachytherapy workflow consists of five key components: diagnosis, implantation, treatment planning (scan + plan), implant verification, and delivery. MRI integration is discussed for diagnosis; treatment planning; and MRI-guided brachytherapy implants, in which MRI is used to guide the physical insertion of the brachytherapy applicator or needles. Considerations and challenges for establishing an MRI brachytherapy program are also discussed.

Keywords: Brachytherapy; HDR; LDR; MRI; Prostate; Quality assurance.

Publication types

Review