First dosimetric evaluation of clinical raster-scanned proton, helium and carbon ion treatment plan delivery during simultaneous real-time magnetic resonance imaging

This work presents an experimental dosimetric evaluation of raster-scanning particle beam delivery during simultaneous in-beam magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Using an open MR scanner at an experimental treatment room, radiochromic film comparisons for protons, helium and carbon ions, each with and without simultaneous in-beam cine MR imaging, yielded 2D gamma pass rates ≥ 98.8 % for a 3 % / 1.5 mm criterion, and ≥ 99.9 % for 5 % / 1.5 mm. These results constitute a first experimental confirmation that time varying magnetic fields of MR gradients do not result in clinically relevant additional dose perturbations.