The use of deformable image registration to integrate diagnostic MRI into the radiotherapy planning pathway for head and neck cancer

Background and purpose To assess the accuracy of gross tumour volume (GTV) delineation for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) using a diagnostic position MRI (MRI-D) deformably registered to the planning CT (pCT), by comparison with a dedicated planning position MRI (MRI-RT). Material and methods Fourteen patients with HNSCC underwent a T1-weighted MRI-D and MRI-RT. A reference GTV was defined as that delineated on MRI-RT rigidly...