Initial observation of contrast profiles for 3D and 2D MRI sequences in MR-guided radiation therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Purpose: In our experience treating locally advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) with magnetic resonance-guided radiation therapy (MRgRT), the true-fast imaging with steady-state free precession (TRUFI) sequences used to generate real-time 2D MRI (2D cine) impart differing intensities for relevant structures when compared to the pre-treatment high resolution 3D MRI (3D MRI). Since these variations can confound target tracking selection, we propose that an understanding of the differing contrast profiles could improve selection of tracking structures. Methods and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed both 2D cine and 3D MRI images for 20 patients with PC treated with MRgRT. At simulation, an appropriate tracking target was identified and contoured on a single 3mm sagittal slice of the 3D MRI. This sagittal slice was directly compared to the co-registered 7mm 2D cine to identify structures with notable discrepancies in signal intensity. The 3D MRI was then explored in additional planes to confirm structure identities. For quantitative verification of the clinically observed differences, the pixel intensity distributions of 2D cine and 3D MRI DICOM image datasets were statistically compared. Results: In all patients reviewed, arteries (aorta, celiac, SMA, HA) appeared mildly hyperintense on both scans. However, veins (PV, SMV) appeared hyperintense on 2D cine but isointense on 3D MRI. Biliary structures appeared mildly hyperintense on 2D cine but starkly hyperintense on 3D MRI. The pixel intensity distributions extracted from 2D cine and 3D MRI images were confirmed to differ significantly (two sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; test statistic =0.40; p <0.001). Conclusions: There are significant variations in image intensity between the immediate pre-treatment 2D cine when compared to the initial planning 3D MRI. Understanding variations of image intensity between the different MRI sequences used in MRgRT is valuable to radiation oncologists and may lead to improved target tracking and optimized treatment delivery.