ADC measurements on the Unity MR-linac - A recommendation on behalf of the Elekta Unity MR-linac consortium. Radiother Oncol 2020 Dec;153:106-113
Date
10/06/2020Pubmed ID
33017604Pubmed Central ID
PMC8327388DOI
10.1016/j.radonc.2020.09.046Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85092917458 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 56 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for treatment response monitoring is feasible on hybrid magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MR-linac) systems. The MRI scanner of the Elekta Unity system has an adjusted design compared to diagnostic scanners. We investigated its impact on measuring the DWI-derived apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) regarding three aspects: the choice of b-values, the spatial variation of the ADC, and scanning during radiation treatment. The aim of this study is to give recommendations for accurate ADC measurements on Unity systems.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements with increasing b-values were done to determine the highest bvalue that can be measured reliably. The spatial variation of the ADC was assessed on six Unity systems with a cylindrical phantom of 40 cm diameter. The influence of gantry rotation and irradiation was investigated by acquiring DWI images before and during treatment of 11 prostate cancer patients.
RESULTS: On the Unity system, a maximum b-value of 500 s/mm2 should be used for ADC quantification, as a trade-off between SNR and diffusion weighting. Accurate ADC values were obtained within 7 cm from the iso-center, while outside this region ADC values deviated more than 5%. The ADC was not influenced by the rotating linac or irradiation during treatment.
CONCLUSION: We provide Unity system specific recommendations for measuring the ADC. This will increase the consistency of ADC values acquired in different centers on the Unity system, enabling large cohort studies for biomarker discovery and treatment response monitoring.
Author List
Kooreman ES, van Houdt PJ, Keesman R, Pos FJ, van Pelt VWJ, Nowee ME, Wetscherek A, Tijssen RHN, Philippens MEP, Thorwarth D, Wang J, Shukla-Dave A, Hall WA, Paulson ES, van der Heide UAAuthors
William Adrian Hall MD Professor in the Radiation Oncology department at Medical College of WisconsinEric Paulson PhD Chief, Professor in the Radiation Oncology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Diffusion Magnetic Resonance ImagingHumans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Particle Accelerators
Phantoms, Imaging
Signal-To-Noise Ratio
