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MO‐D‐230A‐04: Dedicated PET‐CT and MR‐Simulators in a State‐Of‐The‐Art Radiation Treatment Facility
Author(s) -
Bourland J,
Flowers K,
Huey K,
Shaw E
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.2241430
Subject(s) - medical physics , medical imaging , medicine , dicom , radiation treatment planning , nuclear medicine , pet ct , computer science , radiation therapy , radiology , positron emission tomography
Purpose: To provide dedicated, integrated PET‐CT and MR simulation and imaging devices in the radiation treatment clinic for purposes of advanced oncologic imaging. Method and Materials: A planning team was established for design of radiation oncology facilities as part of a new comprehensive cancer center. Physicist input included emphasis on combined biological‐anatomical (termed “bioanatomic”™) imaging for a research program in Bioanatomic Imaging and Treatment (BAIT), provision of state‐of‐the‐art treatment devices for IMRT, radiosurgery, and HDR, and analyses of digital medical informatics. PET‐CT and MR simulator specifications were delineated at a time of rapid technology development for both modalities, and included capabilities for gated PETCT acquisition and high‐resolution MR spectroscopy. Results: Facility design includes dedicated rooms for Conventional, PET‐CT, and MR simulation. BAIT simulator devices selected are 8‐slice PET‐CT and 3.0T MR, each with “marking” lasers and virtual simulation tools. PET‐CT s“imulation includes respiratory gating. 3.0T MR simulation includes spectroscopic, diffusion, and perfusion imaging. Radiation safety aspects include shielding for ionizing radiation (PET‐CT) and radiofrequency and magnetic fields (3.0T MR). PET‐CT and MR simulators are centrally located to facilitate patient flow and physician access. PET‐CT and MR simulations are being performed under the auspices of multidisciplinary clinical and research oversight committees. Operators are paired as one imaging technologist (PET‐CT or MR) and one radiation therapist per simulator. Conclusion: Vision for the Bioanatomic Imaging and Treatment Program has been coupled with the opportunity for a new comprehensive cancer center facility to provide multi‐slice PET‐CT and 3.0T MR simulation in the radiation treatment clinic. Using a collaborative multidisciplinary approach, image‐based research protocols have been developed for specific disease sites, and experience is being gained with use of dedicated, integrated PET‐CT and MR simulation. Conflict of Interest: BAIT Program research partners include Varian Medical Systems and GE Healthcare.