Absolute radiation dose verification using magnetic resonance imaging: feasibility study

Abstract

This work describes the feasibility of using a polymer-based tissue equivalent gel for measuring radiation doses in situ. The gel is based on the MAGIC formulation thereby enabling it to be manufactured under normal atmospheric conditions. Its composition has been altered to achieve a similar sensitivity to the more widely used, but technically more difficult to produce, PAG gels. Irradiation of the gel material causes polymerisation of the molecular structure resulting in a shortening of transverse relaxation time (T₂), which can be imaged using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This work calibrates the radiation response in terms of transverse relaxation rate (R₂) and uses this information to provide absolute dose verification in a separate gel, which has been previously irradiated to a known configuration. Results demonstrate that this technique is able to verify radiation doses to within a few percent of delivered intent in three dimensions and with high spatial resolution. This work may be followed by anyone with an interest in the quality assurance of advanced conformal radiotherapy delivery methods.