Speaker
Description
Imaging plays a central role in particle therapy and radionuclide applications, spanning treatment planning, image guidance, functional characterization, particle range verification, and response assessment. We will introduce the main imaging modalities used in these fields and discuss their complementary roles and emerging applications. Computed tomography (CT), including dual-energy CT (DECT), will be presented as a fundamental tool for anatomical imaging, treatment planning, and estimation of particle stopping properties. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be discussed both for its excellent anatomical soft-tissue contrast and for functional imaging, providing information on tissue physiology, perfusion, diffusion, oxygenation, and metabolism. Positron emission tomography (PET) will be introduced as a molecular imaging technique with applications in radionuclide imaging, treatment planning, and assessment of treatment response and particle range. Particular attention will be given to imaging techniques developed for in vivo verification of particle-beam range, one of the key challenges in proton and ion therapy. These will include PET-based range verification through imaging of irradiation-induced positron emitters, prompt-radiation imaging approaches for monitoring secondary radiation generated during particle irradiation, including the development of prompt-gamma spectroscopy, and emerging ultrasound and ionoacoustic techniques that exploit acoustic signals generated by particle energy deposition. Through these examples, the course will demonstrate how anatomical, functional, molecular, and treatment-induced imaging can be combined to improve treatment accuracy, verify particle range, and provide quantitative information on radiation delivery and biological response in particle therapy and radionuclide-based treatments.