Acute Bowel Research Articles

Case Report: Acute large bowel obstruction with actinomycosis of the sigmoid colon mimicking neoplasm

Introduction Actinomycosis is an uncommon inflammatory bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species, especially Actinomyces Israeli. Abdominopelvic forms are relatively rare and may involve the colon as a solid mass, mimicking a malignant tumor. Case presentation A 68-year-old Tunisian man, with a history of diabetes, hypertension, penicillin allergy, and renal failure, presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, vomiting, and bowel obstruction. CT scan showed an acute intestinal obstruction upstream with obstructive tissular mass at the sigmoid colon. Emergency surgery revealed a sigmoid mass and a pre-perforative cecum. Subtotal colectomy was performed, with ileostomy and distal end closure. Histological examination confirmed Actinomyces infection. The patient was then placed on long-term doxycycline and Bactrim, with no recurrence over a 9-month follow-up period. Conclusion Abdominal actinomycosis, though rare, presents diagnostic challenges. It can be mistaken for malignancy, leading to unnecessary surgery in non-complicated cases, since it is effectively treated by antibiotics. In complicated cases, a combined approach involving both surgery and antibiotic therapy is necessary until the infection is completely eradicated.

Clinico-Epidemiological Analysis of Small Bowel Obstruction in Adults at a Tertiary Care Center in India.

Acute small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common surgical emergency.The study aims to provide a comprehensive clinical-epidemiological description of SBO in adults at a tertiary care center in western India. Thishospital-based cross-sectionalstudy was conducted from July 2020 to June 2022 and enrolled88SBO patients requiring surgical intervention. After adequately resuscitating the patients, various surgical procedures were performed based on the intraoperative conditions of the bowel. Patients were assessedpostoperativelyfor the duration of their hospital stay, postoperative complications, and surgical recovery. There was amalepreponderance (n=55), with a median age of 50 (18-90) years. Abdominal discomfort was the most frequent symptom, necessitating a hospital visit (97.9%, n= 86), followed by nausea (85.2%, n= 75), constipation (78.1%, n=69), and abdominal distension (51.1%, n=45). Ileal strictures (18.2%, n=16) were the most common etiology,followed by postoperative adhesions (14.8%, n=13) and bands (13.6%, n=12), of which 76.4% (n=9) had past surgical history. Resection and anastomosis were the most frequently performed surgical interventions in this study (36.4%, n=32), followed by stoma creation (27.3%, n=24) and adhesiolysis (17%, n=15). The postoperative 30-day mortality of 11.36% (n=10) was noted, which could be ascribed to the elderly population with comorbidity, postoperative complications, and who required extended stay in the critical care unit. Benign ileal stricture was the most common cause of acute SBO in the emergency. Prompt and timely diagnosis combined with a multidisciplinary approach and effective management can improve outcomes and reduce morbidity and mortality in adult patients with SBO.

Design, synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives as potential anti-inflammatory agents against acute lung injury and colitis

Acute lung injury (ALI) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are common inflammatory illnesses that seriously affect people's health. Herein, a series of 4-hydroxylcoumarin (4-HC) derivatives were designed and synthesized. The inhibitory effects of these compounds on LPS-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) release from J774A.1 cells were then screened via ELISA assay, compound B8 showed 3 times more active than the lead compound 4-HC. The most active compound B8 had the IC50 values of 4.57 μM and 6.51 μM for IL-6 release on mouse cells J774A.1 and human cells THP-1, respectively. Furthermore, we also found that B8 could act on the MAPK pathway. Based on the target prediction results of computer virtual docking, kinase inhibitory assay was carried out, and it revealed that targeting IRAK1 was a key mechanism for B8 to exert anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, B8 exerted a good therapeutic effect on the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis model and liposaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mouse models. The acute toxicity experiments indicated that high-dose B8 caused no adverse reactions in mice, confirming its safety in vivo. Additionally, the preliminary pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of B8 in SD rats were also examined, revealing a bioavailability (F) of 28.72 %. In conclusion, B8 is a potential candidate of drug for the treatment of ALI and colitis.

Impact of colon cancer on outcomes in hospitalized patients with Clostridioides difficile infection: a national inpatient analysis

Background and aim Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) burdens hospitalized patients, particularly those with comorbidities. Colon cancer may worsen CDI severity and outcomes. We aimed to assess CDI outcomes in hospitalized colon cancer patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Survey data identified adults with CDI, categorized by the presence of colon cancer. Hospitalization characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared between groups. Primary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and total hospital charges. The secondary outcomes were CDI complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, with P values ≤0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results Among 1,436,860 CDI patients, 14,085 had colon cancer. Patients with colon cancer had a longer length of stay (10.77 vs 9.98 days; P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounders, colon cancer patients exhibited higher odds of acute peritonitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.37; P = 0.009), bowel perforation (aOR 5.49; P < 0.001), paralytic ileus (aOR 2.12; P = 0.003), and colectomy (aOR 36.99; P < 0.001), but lower risks of mortality, sepsis, septic shock, acute kidney injury, cardiac arrest, and mechanical ventilation (all P < 0.001). Conclusion Colon cancer significantly impacts CDI outcomes in hospitalized patients, highlighting the need for improved management strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Radiotherapy Related Bowel and Bladder Toxicity after Prostate Cancer Irradiation

Background: Pelvic radiotherapy is a primary treatment modality for organ-confined prostate cancer and early-stage endometrial cancer. While effective in improving survival rates and reducing recurrence, it is associated with a range of side effects that can impact patient quality of life. Objective: The study aimed to assess the incidence, management, and resolution of acute and chronic side effects of pelvic radiotherapy in prostate and endometrial cancer patients, focusing on bowel and bladder functions. Methods: This single-center, observational study included 50 patients diagnosed with prostate or endometrial cancer who underwent pelvic radiotherapy with a dose of 66-70 Gy using a four-field technique on a linear accelerator. Patients were assessed for bladder and bowel dysfunction, with follow-up at 6, 12, and 18 months post-treatment. Statistical analysis involved univariate weighted distribution of response frequencies and paired t-tests for ordinal scale scores, using SPSS version 25 for data analysis. Results: Of the participants, 22% experienced dysuria, 64% reported bladder outlet obstruction, and 20% had constipation. Acute bowel symptoms like diarrhea occurred in 32%, and chronic proctitis developed in 22% of patients. Urinary symptoms appeared by the third week and generally resolved within weeks; however, bowel symptoms persisted longer but returned to baseline by 18 months post-treatment. Approximately 70% of patients reported good tolerance to radiotherapy. Conclusion: Pelvic radiotherapy is effective in treating prostate and endometrial cancers but requires management of transient side effects to improve patient outcomes. Advanced radiotherapy techniques such as IMRT and 3D CRT have shown potential in reducing these side effects, emphasizing the need for continuous technological advancements and patient-centered care in radiotherapy.

Hydrocolpos causing bowel obstruction in a preterm newborn: a case report

BackgroundImperforate hymen is the most common congenital defect of the female urogenital tract. The spectrum of clinical manifestations is broad, ranging from mild cases undiagnosed until adolescence to severe cases of giant intraabdominal masses. The most common complication of hydrocolpos is bladder compression, resulting in obstructive uropathy and hydronephrosis.Case presentationWe present here the case of a preterm neonate who was admitted to the surgical neonatal intensive care unit for bowel obstruction. The baby did not appear septic or unwell, a small amount of meconium passed frequently, and no bilious gastric residuals occurred. Based on these findings, acute abdominal obstruction was doubtful, and the surgeon chose a conservative (watch and wait) approach. Subsequently, we performed abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging based on unclear information about a suspicious abdominal mass raised by the gynecologist shortly before the emergency C-section. The final diagnosis was congenital hydrocolpos due to imperforate hymen. The pediatric gynecologist indicated an incision of the imperforate hymen under general anesthesia. The incision resolved abdominal distention as well as the bowel obstruction.ConclusionThe presentation of hydrocolpos was not typical (no bulging in the vaginal introitus) in our case, and clinical symptoms implied acute bowel obstruction shortly after birth. The surgeon chose a conservative (watch and wait) approach as the baby did not appear unwell on the second day of life. Fortunately, diagnostic laparotomy was not required as the next step in bowel obstruction management. All clinical symptoms resolved after a minor surgical procedure.

Comparison of short-term outcomes of D2 and D3 lymph nodes dissection for colon cancer

Background. D3 lymph node dissection remains controversial in colon cancer surgery.Aim. To compare the short-term of D2 and D3 lymph nodes dissection for colon cancer.Materials and methods. Design of the study – prospective randomize controlled study. Inclusion criteria: age over 18 years, colon adenocarcinoma cT3–4n0–2m0, patient consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria: distant metastases diagnosed preoperatively, cTis–T2, cT4b (pancreas, stomach, small intestine, ureter, bladder, kidney), emergent cases (limited to tumor perforation, acute bowel obstruction), history of previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy, synchronous or metachronous cancer, pregnancy or breastfeeding, refusal to participate in the study. withdrawal criteria were exploratory laparotomy/laparoscopy or other reasons for refusing resection.Results. A total of 436 patients were included in the study no differences were found in the clinical characteristics of groups D2 and D3. In the D2 lymph node dissection group the incidence of unintentional vascular injuries was in 7 (3.2 %) patients, in the D3 lymph node dissection group – in 15 (6.9 %) patients (p = 0.12). The operating time increased by 30 minutes in D3 lymph node dissection group (p p = 0.42). Hartmann’s procedure was performed in 2 (0.9 %) patients in the D2 lymph node dissection group. Complications IIIb were recorded in 5 (2.3 %) and 9 (4.1 %) patients in lymph node dissection groups D2 and D3, respectively (p = 0.42). Anastomotic leakage was not observed in the D2 lymph node dissection group; in the D3 lymph node dissection group, it was diagnosed in 3 (1.4 %) patients (p = 0.25). postoperative multiple-organ failure (Iv) or mortality (v) were not observed. grade 3 quality of the specimen was observed in 160 (73.4 %) patients in the D2 lymph node dissection group, 163 (74.8 %) in the D3 lymph node dissection group (p = 0.79). The median number of lymph node harvested was 11 more in the D3 lymph node dissection group (p &lt; 0.001). Apical lymph nodes were positive in 5 (2.3 %) patients in the D3 lymph node dissection group. There was no difference between the groups in R0 resection margin.Conclusion. D3 lymph node dissection is safe in terms of short-term outcomes in the treatment of colon cancer.

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: A Case Report

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hamartomatous gastrointestinal polyposis and mucocutaneous pigmentation. We report here the case of a 28-year-old young woman presenting with PJS revealed by an acute small bowel obstruction at the MED VI University Hospital of Marrakech. Surgical exploration revealed hamartomatous polyps necessitating segmental resection. Anatomopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Surveillance revealed no abnormalities.

A case of acute intestinal obstruction caused by Burkitt’s lymphoma

Acute intestinal obstruction is a multifactorial disease. Its causes may be intra-abdominal adhesions, volvulus, bezoar, gallstones, foreign bodies, intestinal tumors, etc. In rare cases, acute intestinal obstruction may be associated with intussusception, which is relatively rare in adults. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate a clinical case of acute small bowel obstruction caused by Burkitt lymphoma. During treatment for a herpetic infection, the patient underwent surgical treatment — ileostomy because of acute intestinal obstruction. In the postoperative period, the patient was hospitalized due to intestinal bleeding; during diagnostic colonoscopy, intussusception of the ileum into the ascending colon was detected; diagnostic laparoscopy, laparotomy, right-sided hemicolectomy with resection of the greater omentum, restoration of intestinal continuity with elimination of the stoma,and formation of an anastomosis were performed. The material obtained intraoperatively was sent for pathomorphological examination, including the method of fluorescent hybridization, which revealed a rearrangement of the 8th chromosome in the region of localization of the MYC gene in tumor cells, and a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma was established. The oncological council determined the chemotherapy treatment protocol. According to the literature, Burkitt lymphoma can debut in the cutaneous form, and it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis, including chickenpox. There is currently no information about intestinal complications occurring in the cutaneous form of Burkitt lymphoma. It is possible that in the described case, the initially established diagnosis of herpetic infection was incorrect, and Burkitt lymphoma occurred in the cutaneous form.

The role of procalcitonin as a risk stratification tool of severity, prognosis, and need for surgery in patients with acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis

BackgroundImaging-based classifications do not always reflect the clinical severity and prognosis of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis. This study aims to investigate the role of an early procalcitonin assessment in the emergency department as a risk stratification tool for severity, prognosis, and need for surgery in patients with acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, all adult patients consecutively admitted from January 2015 to September 2020 for acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis and having a procalcitonin determination at admission were enrolled. The following data were collected: age, sex, comorbidities, laboratory parameters, level of urgency, clinical presentation, type of treatment, complications, and post-management outcomes. The association between the procalcitonin value at admission and the following endpoints was analyzed: type of treatment, classification of acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis, mortality, and type of surgery. ResultsA total of 503 consecutive patients were enrolled. Procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL emerged as an independent risk factor for complicated acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (P = .007). Procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL (P = .033), together with a history of complicated acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis (P < .001), abdominal pain (P = .04), bowel perforation (P < .001), and peritonitis (P < .001), was a significant risk factor for surgery. Procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL (P = .007) and peritonitis (P = .03) emerged as independent risk factors for sigmoidectomy without colorectal anastomosis. Procalcitonin >0.5 ng/mL (P = .004), a higher level of urgency at admission (P = .005), Hartmann’s procedure (P = .002), and the necessity of mechanical ventilation (P = .004) emerged as independent risk factors for mortality. ConclusionProcalcitonin >0.05 ng/mL at emergency department admission is a useful risk stratification tool for severity, prognosis, and need for surgical treatment in patients with acute left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

Management of rare complications in obese patients after laparoscopic gastric bypass

The complications resulting from laparoscopic gastric bypass can be categorised into two main groups: early (within 30 days after surgery) and late (after 30 days following surgery). Bleeding, marginal ulcers, and failure of the suture line occur most often. Stenosis of the anastomotic areas, adhesive small bowel obstruction, incarceration of Petersen’s space hernia, gastrogastric fistula, and hemobezoar‑induced small bowel obstruction are less often observed. Objective — to improve the management of rare complications in obese patients after laparoscopic gastric bypass. Materials and methods. The study includes a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass in the Department of General Surgery No. 2 at Bogomolets National Medical University from 2011 to 2023. Patients aged 25 to 59 who met the IFSO criteria for obesity participated in the research. The minimum observation period was 12 months. All patients underwent a laparoscopic Roux‑en‑Y Gastric Bypass. Results. The study included a cohort of 348 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastric bypass. The majority of them were female, including 189 individuals (54.3%). A total of 6 patients (1.72%) were identified with rare problems, consisting of 2 women and 4 men. Two patients were diagnosed with acute small bowel obstruction caused by a hemobezoar, one patient with gastrogastric fistula, one patient with acute adhesive small bowel obstruction, one patient with a marginal ulcer of the «large» stomach complicated by perforation, and one patient with a pinched Petersen’s space hernia. All complications were class IIIb, according to the Clavien‑Dindo classification, and required surgical treatment. In the early period, 3 (50%) cases were diagnosed: acute adhesive small bowel obstruction (2 days postoperatively ) and acute small bowel obstruction caused by a hemobezoar (2—3 days postoperatively). Conclusions. We found that the incidence of rare complications among obese individuals after laparoscopic gastric bypass was 1.72%. Specifically, 1.14% of patients experienced small bowel obstruction, 0.29% had a marginal ulcer of the «large» stomach complicated by perforation, and 0.29% had a pinched Petersen’s space hernia. Each case of a rare complication requires an individual approach to its management.

Update for surgeons on novel induction treatments for acute severe inflammatory bowel disease associated colitis.

The landscape of biologic agents for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) associated colitis is rapidly evolving, requiring surgeons to be up-to-date as part of multi-disciplinary, evidence-based care. An update on novel therapies used to induce remission in IBD-associated colitis is presented. A systematic search through Ovid MEDLINE and CENTRAL using a combination of MeSH terms and Boolean operators was conducted. One thousand and twenty articles from which 38 articles were selected for inclusion in this review. Novel agents were trialled as 4th or 5th line treatment following conventional treatment failure. Rates of serious adverse effects were low. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (upadacitinib and tofacitinib) were efficacious in inducing remission in ulcerative colitis, and IL-23p19 inhibitors (mirikizumab, guselkumab, and risankizumab) in Crohn's colitis. Evidence was limited for other drug classes. JAK-inhibitors and IL-23p19 inhibitors were found to be the most effective agents for inducting remission following failure of standard of care treatment. A significant proportion of patients did not respond, highlighting the inherent challenge in optimizing treatment for moderate to severe IBD-associated colitis. More robust study designs and comparator trials are required.

Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis Flare Complicated by Myopericarditis and Infliximab-Induced Hepatitis.

In acute inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare presentation with tachycardia and chest pain, an underlying myocardial injury should be investigated.Mucosal healing should be evaluated endoscopically in cases of partial response to biologics.Both cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and infliximab-induced liver injury may lead to acute hepatitis.

Ileo-ileal knot causing acute gangrenous small bowel obstruction: a case report

BackgroundIleo-ileal knotting is a very rare cause of small bowel obstruction, and only a few reports have been published. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is one of the most common emergency surgical conditions that require urgent evaluation and treatment and is one of the leading causes of emergency surgical admission. There are many causes of SBO that are known in general surgical practice, and these causes are different in the developing and developed worlds.Clinical presentationIn this article, we present a case of acute gangrenous SBO secondary to ileo-ileal knotting in a 37-year-old Ethiopian female patient after she presented with severe abdominal cramp, vomiting, and abdominal distension of 4 hours duration. The patient was operated on intraoperatively; she had gangrenous small bowel obstruction caused by ileo-ileal knotting. Later, the patient was discharged and improved after 12 days of hospital stay.ConclusionIleo-ileal knotting should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute small-bowel obstruction. The diagnostic difficulty and the need for urgent treatment of this condition to yield optimal results are discussed.

Exploring the Infectious Contribution to Intussusception Causality Using the Effects of COVID-19 Lockdowns in Australia: An Ecological Study.

Intussusception is the primary cause of acute bowel obstruction in infants. The majority of cases <2 years of age are classed as idiopathic, with viral infection implicated as one of the causes. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health measures led to significant decreases in communicable disease prevalence. During these times, reductions in intussusception frequency were greater than would be expected with our previous understanding of its infectious etiology. We conducted a retrospective, multistate, ecological study over a 12-year period. Monthly case numbers of "intussusception"-coded admissions (code K56.1; International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification) were acquired from state-wide admissions data sets from New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, representing 77.62% of the eligible Australian population. These counts within differing jurisdictional lockdowns were compared with non-lockdown periods in order to investigate a correlation between intussusception frequency and lockdown periods. We found a negative association between intussusception frequency and lockdown periods in both eligible states. The largest reductions were seen in the <2-year age groups, with Victoria experiencing a 62.7% reduction (rate ratio, 0.37; P < .001) and New South Wales a 40.1% reduction (0.599; P = .006) during lockdown times. Controls for variations in lockdown restrictions between both regional and metropolitan areas also showed expected decreases. Our ecological study demonstrates significant decreases in the frequency of pediatric intussusception admissions during the COVID-19 lockdown periods. The unexpected magnitude of the reductions suggests that the true proportion of infectious disease-caused idiopathic intussusception is greatly underestimated.

Eosinophilic enterocolitis: a case report

BackgroundEosinophilic enterocolitis is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal eosinophilic infiltration of the small intestine and the colon.Case presentationWe report a case of a 29-year-old White man, who presented with an acute bowel obstruction. He had a history of a 2 months non-bloody diarrhea. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) and a MR enterography showed a multifocal extensive ileitis. White blood cell and eosinophilic polynuclei count was elevated (700/mm3). Ileo-colonoscopy showed normal ileum and segmental petechial colitis. Pathology showed a high eosinophilic infiltration in the colon. The patient was treated with steroids, with a clinical, biological and radiological recovery.ConclusionEosinophilic enterocolitis should be kept in mind as a rare differential diagnosis in patients presenting with small bowel obstruction.

Primary Trichobezoar in Small Intestine: A Case Report

Trichobezoar is a rare surgical condition that mostly occurs in the stomach and often causes a surgical emergency when left untreated. It is often predisposed by psychiatric conditions, mental retardation, previous gastric surgery, or abnormal anatomy. Trichobezoar progresses extremely slowly and is diagnosed through imaging such as a barium series, endoscopy, or computed tomography. Surgical removal is typically required. The patient in this case was a 12-year-old girl who presented with symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea and constipation. She was found to be anaemic and underweight. Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) diagnosed acute intussusception and small bowel obstruction, which were treated by emergency laparotomy. During the operation, a large primary ileal trichobezoar was found in the distal part of the ileum with hair strands extending up to the transverse colon. The absence of masses elsewhere made the diagnosis even more peculiar, as primary intestinal trichobezoar is highly uncommon. Primary closure of the enterotomy was performed as it was viable, and the postoperative period was uneventful. A history of trichophagia was elicited, and a psychiatric assessment of the patient was conducted. Behavioural therapy was initiated for the trichophagia. In conclusion, trichobezoar is a rare surgical entity with modifiable predisposing factors that require a multidisciplinary management approach.

Management of Acute Bowel Obstruction in Adults in Ziguinchor Hospital Establishments: About 163 Cases Followed Up

Management of Acute Bowel Obstruction in Adults in Ziguinchor Hospital Establishments: About 163 Cases Followed Up

Transabdominal bowel ultrasound as a method of primary diagnosis in acute bowel pathology: literature review and demonstration of clinical cases

Currently, transabdominal ultrasound of the bowel is rarely used in daily routine practice to assess bowel condition due to the difficulty of its visualization, lack of awareness of specialists, and also due to the limited number of specialists who know the technique of bowel examination. Patients with acute bowel pathology seek emergency care in more than one third of cases. Gastrointestinal ultrasound is often used as the first imaging modality with good diagnostic accuracy in the setting of acute abdomen and may be the optimal diagnostic strategy in young women because of the radiation burden associated with X-ray and computer tomography scan. The clinician can examine the gastrointestinal tract in the area of greatest pain using ultrasound, thus obtaining more information and pathology data than standard physical examination. Intestinal ultrasound is mainly used for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, which helps to avoid the frequent use of invasive and expensive diagnostic procedures and leads to the early implementation of suitable treatment. This method can also serve to detect other pathological conditions present in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a promising method with high sensitivity and specificity, which has the advantage of being easily accessible, non-invasive, safe, due to the absence of ionising radiation and the need to use contrast agents. In addition, the advantage of this method is the reduction of diagnostic search, which allows the doctor to establish the diagnosis in a shorter time, as well as to reduce the patient’s expenses for expensive examinations.

Dose-volume relationships of planned versus estimated delivered radiation doses to pelvic organs at risk and side effects in patients treated with salvage radiotherapy for recurrent prostate cancer

PurposeTo investigate estimated delivered dose distributions using weekly cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans for pelvic organs at risk (OARs) in salvage radiotherapy (SRT) after radical prostatectomy. Furthermore, to compare them with the originally planned dose distributions and analyse associations with gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) side effects. MethodsThis study is part of a phase II trial involving SRT for recurrent prostate cancer. Treatment was personalised based on PSA response during SRT, classifying patients as PSA responders or non-responders. Estimated radiation dose distributions were obtained using deformable image registration from weekly CBCT scans. GI and GU toxicities were assessed using the RTOG toxicity scale, while patient-reported symptoms were monitored through self-assessment questionnaires. ResultsThe study included 100 patients, with similar treatment-related side effects observed in both responders and non-responders. Differences in dose-volume metrics between the planned and estimated delivered doses for the examined OARs were mostly modest, although generally statistically significant. We identified statistically significant associations between QUANTEC-recommended dose-volume constraints and acute bowel toxicity, as well as late urinary patient-reported symptoms, for both the estimated delivered and planned dose distributions. ConclusionWe found small but statistically significant differences between estimated delivered and planned doses to OARs. These differences showed trends toward improved associations for estimated delivered dose distributions with side effects. Enhanced registration methods and imaging techniques could potentially further enhance the assessment of truly delivered doses and yield more reliable dose-volume constraints for future therapies.