Radiofrequency fields in hyperthermia and MRI : Exploiting their similarities for mutual benefit

Abstract

Hyperthermia treatment planning aims to calculate and optimize the thermal dose of hyperthermia treatments for individual patient cases. For this purpose extensive electromagnetic and thermal modelling techniques have been successfully developed over the last years. Unfortunately, means to monitor and verify a pre-calculated treatment plan during treatment are limited. MR imaging is an excellent imaging modality to visualize anatomy and physiology. As field strengths increase, problems with respect to greater RF field inhomogeneities and elevated RF power deposition pose technical challenges. This thesis demonstrates that hyperthermia treatment planning can be verified with MR imaging and that MR imaging can be optimized with hyperthermia treatment planning.