Abstract
Background and purposePrevious MRI studies have shown a substantial decrease in normal-tissue uptake of a hepatobiliary-directed contrast agent 6–9 weeks after liver irradiation. In this prospective clinical study, we investigated whether this effect is detectable during the course of proton therapy. Material and methodsGd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI was performed twice during hypo-fractionated proton therapy of liver lesions in 9 patients (plus two patients with only one scan available). Dose-correlated signal changes were qualitatively scored based on difference images from the two scans. We evaluated the correlation between the MRI signal change with the planned dose map. The GTV was excluded from all analyses. In addition, were examined timing, irradiated liver volume, changes in liver function parameters as well as circulating biomarkers of inflammation. ResultsStrong, moderate or no dose-correlated signal changes were detected for 2, 3 and 5 patients, respectively. Qualitative scoring was consistent with the quantitative dose to signal change correlation. In an exploratory analysis, the strongest correlation was found between the qualitative scoring and pretreatment IL-6 concentration. For all patients, a clear dose-correlated signal decrease was seen in late follow-up scans. ConclusionRadiation-induced effects can be detected with Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI in a subgroup of patients within a few days after proton irradiation. The reason for the large inter-patient variations is not yet understood and will require validation in larger studies.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.