MRI-based proton beam visualisation in water has proven feasible in exploratory irradiation experiments performed on a first research prototype in-beam MRI system. Beam-induced convection was hypothesised to be implicated into MR signal loss observed within the beam volume. In this study, this hypothesis was tested in liquid water-filled phantoms by suppression of convection-induced motion using mechanical barriers and temperature control of water expansivity. In absence of convection-induced motion, no beam-induced signal changes occurred, supporting the hypothesis that convection triggers local MR signal loss during proton beam irradiation. The elucidation of the exact mechanism of convection-induced signal loss requires further investigation.
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