title: MRI assisted treatment planning for radiation therapy of the head and neck.
abstract: Improved visualization of head and neck tumors has been demonstrated with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using standard plastic radiation therapy immobilization casts and an MR positive surface marker system developed in this institution, we have utilized MRI as an adjunct to the simulation of complex radiation treatments for tumors of the head and neck. This technique includes an indirect display of field margins and/or isodose curves over selected MR images. The lack of induced artifact from the immobilization cast, improved delineation of tumor extension from normal anatomy and the ability to image in arbitrary planes without changing patient positioning favor the use of MR over CT for radiation therapy planning in the head and neck, while ensuring reproducibility of the treatment plan at subsequent therapy sessions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Toonkel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Soila
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheldon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D011881:Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*