MRI integration into treatment planning of head and neck tumors: Can patient immobilization be avoided?

Abstract

To assess whether deformable registration between CT and MR images can be used to avoid patient immobilization, we compared registration accuracy in various scenarios, with and without immobilization equipment. Whereas both deformable registration and the use of immobilization equipment improved the registration accuracy, the combination gave the best alignment.

Keywords: Deformable registration; Head and neck; Hyperthermia; MRI; Patient immobilization; Radiotherapy; Treatment planning.