MRI-Linear Accelerator Radiotherapy Systems

G P Liney; B Whelan; B Oborn; M Barton; P Keall

doi:10.1016/j.clon.2018.08.003

MRI-Linear Accelerator Radiotherapy Systems

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2018 Nov;30(11):686-691. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2018.08.003. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Authors

G P Liney¹, B Whelan², B Oborn³, M Barton⁴, P Keall²

Affiliations

¹ Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Department of Medical Physics, Liverpool, Australia; Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Radiation Physics, Liverpool, Australia; University of New South Wales, School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: gary.liney@health.nsw.gov.au.
² University of Sydney, ACRF ImageX Institute, Sydney Medical School, Australia.
³ Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Australia; Illawarra Cancer Care Centre, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia.
⁴ Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Department of Medical Physics, Liverpool, Australia; Liverpool Cancer Therapy Centre, Radiation Physics, Liverpool, Australia; University of New South Wales, School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 30195605
DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2018.08.003

Abstract

The desire to utilise soft-tissue image guidance at the time of radiation treatment has led to the development of several hybrid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) linear accelerators (linacs). These systems have the potential to realise the benefits of MRI on the treatment table with the ability of real-time motion management and adaption on a patient-specific basis. There are several MRI-linacs currently being implemented covering both low and high magnetic field strength and two beam-field orientations. Clinical trials have only recently begun with this technology, but their future use as standard radiotherapy practice seems assured. This review article summarises the challenges faced in developing such hybrid technology, the differences and advantages of each of the currently exploited solutions, and their current status.

Keywords: MRI; MRI-Linac; Radiotherapy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Particle Accelerators*
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / methods*
Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted / methods*
Radiotherapy, Image-Guided / methods*