title: Development of an open source software module for enhanced visualization during MR-guided interstitial gynecologic brachytherapy.
abstract: In 2010, gynecologic malignancies were the 4th leading cause of death in U.S. women and for patients with extensive primary or recurrent disease, treatment with interstitial brachytherapy may be an option. However, brachytherapy requires precise insertion of hollow catheters with introducers into the tumor in order to eradicate the cancer. In this study, a software solution to assist interstitial gynecologic brachytherapy has been investigated and the software has been realized as an own module under (3D) Slicer, which is a free open source software platform for (translational) biomedical research. The developed research module allows on-time processing of intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) data over a direct DICOM connection to a MR scanner. Afterwards follows a multi-stage registration of CAD models of the medical brachytherapy devices (template, obturator) to the patient's MR images, enabling the virtual placement of interstitial needles to assist the physician during the intervention.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Manufacturing and Life Quality Engineering, School of Mechanical engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dong Chuan Road 800, Shanghai, Post Code: 200240 China.
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg (UKGM), Baldingerstraße, Marburg, 35043 Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Egger