We performed MRI-guided placement of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy catheters in 11 cervical-cancer patients within a 3.0 T MRI scanner. We compared placing MR-tracked metallic stylets to passively-tracked conventional stylets. Comparisons were performed during three procedure stages: coarse stylet navigation to the approximate region of the tumor; fine-tuned navigation to the clinician’s desired (final) location; stylet pull-back (withdrawal) from the body, which provided catheter trajectories for Radiation Treatment Planning. Active-tracking’s main benefits; (I) catheters placed much closer to the clinician’s intended location, including via complex manipulations requiring complete withdrawal and repositioning, (II) placement durations similar to transrectal-ultrasound guided HDR procedures.
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