<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Background. Optimal applicator insertion is a precondition for the success of cervix cancer brachytherapy (BT). We aimed to assess feasibility and efficacy of MRI-assisted pre-planning, based on applicator insertion in para-cervical anaesthesia (PCA). Patients and methods. Five days prior to BT, the pre-planning procedure was performed in 18 cervix cancer patients: tandem-ring applicator was inserted under PCA, pelvic MRI obtained and applicator removed. Procedure tolerability was assessed. High risk clinical target volume (HR CTV) and organs at risk were delineated on the pre-planning MRI, virtual needles placed at optimal positions, and dose planning performed. At BT, insertion was carried out in subarachnoidal anaesthesia according to pre-planned geometry. Pre-planned and actual treatment parameters were compared. Results. Pre-planning procedure was well tolerated. Median difference between the pre-planned and actual needle insertion depth and position were 2 (0―10) mm and 4 (0―30) degrees, respectively. The differences between the pre-planned and actual geometric and dosimetric parameters were statistically non-significant. All actual needles were positioned inside the HR CTV and outside the organs at risk (OAR). Conclusions. Our pre-planning approach is well tolerated and effective. Pre-planned geometry and dose distribution can be reproduced at BT.</abstract>

Background. Optimal applicator insertion is a precondition for the success of cervix cancer brachytherapy (BT). We aimed to assess feasibility and efficacy of MRI-assisted pre-planning, based on applicator insertion in para-cervical anaesthesia (PCA). Patients and methods. Five days prior to BT, the pre-planning procedure was performed in 18 cervix cancer patients: tandem-ring applicator was inserted under PCA, pelvic MRI obtained and applicator removed. Procedure tolerability was assessed. High risk clinical target volume (HR CTV) and organs at risk were delineated on the pre-planning MRI, virtual needles placed at optimal positions, and dose planning performed. At BT, insertion was carried out in subarachnoidal anaesthesia according to pre-planned geometry. Pre-planned and actual treatment parameters were compared. Results. Pre-planning procedure was well tolerated. Median difference between the pre-planned and actual needle insertion depth and position were 2 (0―10) mm and 4 (0―30) degrees, respectively. The differences between the pre-planned and actual geometric and dosimetric parameters were statistically non-significant. All actual needles were positioned inside the HR CTV and outside the organs at risk (OAR). Conclusions. Our pre-planning approach is well tolerated and effective. Pre-planned geometry and dose distribution can be reproduced at BT.

MRI-assisted cervix cancer brachytherapy pre-planning, based on application in paracervical anaesthesia: final report

Department of Radiation Oncology, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Doha, Qatar

Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phone +386 1 5879 206; Fax: +386 1 5879 400

Radiology and Oncology

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Background. Optimal applicator insertion is a precondition for the success of cervix cancer brachytherapy (BT). We aimed to assess feasibility and efficacy of...

MRI-assisted cervix cancer brachytherapy pre-planning, based on application in paracervical anaesthesia: final report

Published Online: Jul 10, 2014

Page range: 293 - 300

Received: Dec 13, 2013

Accepted: Jan 14, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2014-0009

Keywords
cervix cancer, MRI, pre-planning, image-guided brachytherapy

© by Barbara Segedin

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

MRI-assisted cervix cancer brachytherapy pre-planning, based on application in paracervical anaesthesia: final report

Published Online: Jul 10, 2014

Page range: 293 - 300

Received: Dec 13, 2013

Accepted: Jan 14, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/raon-2014-0009

Keywordscervix cancer, MRI, pre-planning, image-guided brachytherapy

© by Barbara Segedin

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords
cervix cancer, MRI, pre-planning, image-guided brachytherapy