Abstract
Purpose:
To compare novel radiation reporting systems utilizing ferric ion (Fe3+) reduction versus ferrous ion (Fe2+) oxidation in gelatin matrixes for 3D and 4D (3D+time) MR-guided radiation therapy dosimetry.
Methods:
Dosimeters were irradiated using an integrated 1.5T MRI and 7MV linear accelerator (MR-Linac). Dosimeters were read-out with both a spectrophotometer and the MRI component of the MR-Linac immediately after irradiation. Changes in optical density (OD) were measured using a spectrophotometer; changes in MR signal intensity due to the paramagnetic differences in the iron ions were measured using the MR-Linac in real-time during irradiation (balanced-FFE sequences) and immediately after irradiation (T1-weighted and inversion recovery sequences).
Results:
Irradiation of Fe3+ reduction dosimeters resulted in a stable red color with an absorbance peak at 512 nm. The change in OD relative to dose exhibited a linear response up to 100 Gy (R2=1.00). T1-weighted-MR signal intensity (SI) changed minimally after irradiation with increases of 8.0% for 17 Gy and 9.7% after escalation to 35 Gy compared to the un-irradiated region. Irradiation of Fe2+ oxidation dosimeters resulted in a stable purple color with absorbance peaks at 440 and 585 nm. The changes in OD, T1-weighted-MR SI, and R1 relative to dose exhibited a linear response up to at least 8 Gy (R2=1.00, 0.98, and 0.99) with OD saturation above 40 Gy. The T1-weighted-MR SI increased 50.3% for 17 Gy compared to the un-irradiated region. The change in SI was observed in both 2D+time and 4D (3D+time) acquisitions post-irradiation and in real-time during irradiation with a linear increase with respect to dose (R2>0.93).
Conclusion:
The Fe2+ oxidation-based system was superior as 4D dosimeters for MR-guided radiation therapy due to its higher sensitivity in both optical and MR signal readout and feasibility for real-time 4D dose readout. The Fe3+ reduction system is recommended for high dose applications.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. LH-102SPS.