A Method for MR Imaging of Head and Neck Cancer Patients in the Radiotherapy Treatment Position Without Loss of Image Quality

¹Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UK; ²Glasgow Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Unit, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, UK

Imaging head and neck patients in the radiotherapy treatment planning position using MRI is desirable, since MR image registration with CT in different positions introduces errors, which can potentially lead to inaccuracies in the delineation of the target volume. Positioning patients in the treatment position using immobilisation and a head rest is not generally possible in MRI without incurring an unacceptable loss in image quality as immobilisation and multi-channel head coils are not compatible. This study describes a method for using immobilisation in MR while maintaining the diagnostic image quality necessary for successful radiotherapy treatment planning.