ABSTRACT
A treatment planning CT, with or without contrast, is obtained with 1-2 mm slices through the area of interest. A contrast-enhanced MRI of the spine area of interest is also obtained for treatment planning and fused to the treatment planning CT when feasible. is should be performed as close to the time of treatment as possible, and preferably in a similar position, although patient positioning may be limited by MRI bore size. It has been noted that the spinal cord itself can shift up to 2 mm based on position alone (van Mourik et al., 2014). Accurate assessment of the extent of disease on spinal MRI, or robust CT/MRI fusion, is of critical importance as signi‚cant contouring information is contained within the MRI.
