title: Review of advanced catheter technologies in radiation oncology brachytherapy procedures.
abstract: The development of new catheter and applicator technologies in recent years has significantly improved treatment accuracy, efficiency, and outcomes in brachytherapy. In this paper, we review these advances, focusing on the performance of catheter imaging and reconstruction techniques in brachytherapy procedures using magnetic resonance images and electromagnetic tracking. The accuracy of catheter reconstruction, imaging artifacts, and other notable properties of plastic and titanium applicators in gynecologic treatments are reviewed. The accuracy, noise performance, and limitations of electromagnetic tracking for catheter reconstruction are discussed. Several newly developed applicators for accelerated partial breast irradiation and gynecologic treatments are also reviewed. New hypofractionated high dose rate treatment schemes in prostate cancer and accelerated partial breast irradiation are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA ; Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zamdborg
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Beaumont Health System, Royal Oak, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sebastian
keywords: accelerated partial breast irradiation; catheter reconstruction; catheter technologies; electromagnetic tracking; hypofractionated high dose rate treatment