Author: Adi Robinson, Michael J. Tallhamer 👨🔬
Affiliation: Centura Health, AdventHealth Orlando 🌍
Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the integration of Cherenkov imaging into radiation therapy practices, focusing on its utility in enhancing treatment precision, patient safety, and clinical decision-making. The research highlights its application in quality and safety verification, breast treatment, dose visualization, confirming no radiation to unintended areas, and its broader clinical impact.
Methods: We employed two commercially available Cherenkov imaging systems, BeamSite and DoseRT, integrated with Varian and Elekta linear accelerators. The methodology involved real-time imaging during radiation therapy sessions for various treatments, capturing Cherenkov light with time-gated cameras synchronized with radiation pulses. Post-treatment, images were analyzed to assess treatment accuracy, dose distribution, and any deviations from the intended plan.
Results: Cherenkov imaging consistently provided high-quality imaging that allowed for immediate visualization of radiation dose distribution, detecting deviations in real-time, and ensuring no radiation was delivered to unintended areas. The results will be presented focusing on five main topics: quality and patient safety verification, breast treatment applications, treatment verification dose visualization, verification of negative dose in areas of concern, and observations with clinical impact. It was particularly beneficial in complex scenarios like breast cancer treatments and in cases where patient positioning was challenging. The technology facilitated immediate treatment adjustments, improved patient safety, and offered insights into treatment response without adding significant time to the clinical workflow.
Conclusion: Cherenkov imaging has shown substantial promise in enhancing radiation therapy by providing real-time, visual feedback on treatment delivery. It complements traditional verification methods by offering continuous monitoring, which can lead to fewer treatment errors and better patient outcomes. The findings suggest that Cherenkov imaging should be considered for broader clinical adoption to elevate the standard of care in radiation oncology, although further refinement in image processing and camera positioning could enhance its effectiveness.