Evaluation of a New MRI Compatible Brachytherapy Ano-rectal Applicator

Abstract

High-dose-rate endorectal brachytherapy (HDR-EBT) may be an effective treatment option in the neoadjuvant setting prior to surgery or as part of definitive therapy for medically inoperable patients. However, current EBT applicators, as well as the rectal tumors themselves, are poorly visualized on standard CT imaging. The impetus for this work was the desire to provide conformal HDR treatment for a well visualized target. Here, we describe for the first time, a new multichannel, MR compatible HDR-EBT applicator with a novel balloon-based design to provide improved treatment geometry.