Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

To improve precision of particle therapy, in vivo range verification is highly desirable to reduce range uncertainties and thereby increase the advantage of proton therapy. Methods based on prompt gamma rays emitted during treatment seem promising but have not yet been applied clinically, although proposed 12 years ago. We report on the translational implementation as well as the worldwide first clinical application of prompt gamma imaging (PGI) based range verification. A prototype of a PGI camera was used to measure the prompt gamma depth distribution during proton treatment of a head and neck tumor. Inter-fractional variations of the prompt gamma profile were evaluated and anatomical changes were independently verified.