Evaluation of non-vendor magnetic resonance imaging sequences for use in bladder cancer magnetic resonance image guided radiotherapy.

Hybrid systems that combine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and linear accelerators are available clinically to guide and adapt radiotherapy. Vendor-approved MRI sequences are provided, however alternative sequences may offer advantages. The aim of this study was to develop a systematic approach for non-vendor sequence evaluation, to determine safety, accuracy and overall clinical application of two potential sequences for bladder cancer MRI guided radiotherapy. Non-vendor sequences underwent and passed clinical image qualitative review, phantom quality assurance, and radiotherapy planning assessments. Volunteer workflow tests showed the potential for one sequence to reduce workflow time by 27% compared to the standard vendor sequence.
Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research are members of the Elekta MR-linac Consortium, which aims to coordinate international collaborative research relating to the Elekta Unity (MR-linac). Elekta (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden) and Philips (Philips, Best, the Netherlands) are commercial members of the MR-linac Consortium. Elekta financially supports consortium member institutions with research funding, education and travel costs for consortium meetings. S. Hafeez is bladder tumour site group lead within the MR-linac Consortium. No commercial financial support was received from any organisation for the submitted work.
(© 2023 The Authors.)