New Large-Bore MRI and CT Radiation Therapy Modalities Revealed at ESTRO

An innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) radiation therapy-planning scanner and a new version of a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner for radiation oncology have been presented at the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ESTRO) forum in April 2015, in Barcelona (Spain).

The Magnetom RT Pro edition MRI system and the RT Pro edition for the Somatom Definition AS Open CT scanner were developed by Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany). The Magnetom RT Pro consists of a 1.5-T Magnetom Aera, or 3-T Magnetom Skyra MRI scanner with a 70-cm n open bore, and specialized radiation oncology equipment. The system includes the RT Dot Engine with predefined imaging protocols designed for radiation therapy, for the brain, head and neck among others. The new MRI scanner is especially suited for use in radiation therapy planning, due to the soft-tissue contrast capabilities of MRI technology.

The Somatom Definition RT Pro edition also has a 70-cm bore, and has new functionalities compared to previous versions, such as an iterative algorithm Metal Artifact Reduction (iMAR), which reduces disruptive image artifacts from patients with implants, artificial joints or pacemakers. iMAR enables clinicians to prepare and plan radiation therapy, and dose calculation, more precisely, and effectively.

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