Greater precision in radiation therapy through MRI-based planning
Magdeburg University Hospital has recently begun using a state-of-the-art software solution from the company Therapanacea . It enables the generation of so-called “synthetic CT images” from MRI scans, thereby further improving radiation planning. Magdeburg University Hospital is thus among the first institutions and the first hospital in Saxony-Anhalt to utilize this innovative technology.
The project was carried out through close interdisciplinary collaboration: Participants included the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine under the direction of Prof. Dr. Maciej Pech, the Department of Radiation Oncology under Dr. Daniel Medenwald, and the Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cell and Radiation Therapy under the direction of Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Mougiakakos.
In modern radiation therapy, both CT and MRI images are typically used: While CT provides important information on tissue density, MRI enables a particularly precise visualization of tumors and surrounding organs. Until now, these different image data sets had to be laboriously combined in an additional step.
This is precisely where the new technology comes in: a synthetic CT image is calculated from the MRI data, allowing both types of information to be derived from a unified image basis. In many cases, a conventional CT scan remains an integral part of the treatment. However, the new method complements existing planning and contributes significantly to greater accuracy.
MRI-based planning is used specifically for selected indications where particularly high soft tissue resolution and precision are required for treatment planning. By eliminating the need for time-consuming image superimposition, potential inaccuracies can be reduced. This enables a more precise delineation of the target volume as well as the surrounding organs at risk. As a result, radiation can be delivered with even greater precision and healthy tissue can be better spared.
The significance of this approach is also underscored by the assessments of hospital administrators:
“With the introduction of MRI-based planning methods and synthetic CT data, we are specifically enhancing the precision and quality of oncological care, thereby ensuring state-of-the-art medical care in Saxony-Anhalt,” said Prof. Pech.
“As a cornerstone of modern oncological therapy, the use of innovative technologies such as MRI-based radiation planning complements existing treatment options and helps ensure that patients in Saxony-Anhalt, too, receive care of the highest standard,” emphasizes Dr. Medenwald.
The introduction of synthetic CT reconstruction is part of the hospital’s ongoing modernization. Through the targeted integration of innovative technologies, the University Hospital aims to continuously improve the precision and quality of patient care.
MRI-based planning thus represents a significant advancement in radiation therapy and underscores the commitment to implementing medical innovations early on for the benefit of patients.