Incorporating GSA-SPECT into CT-based dose-volume histograms for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma radiotherapy

In single photon emission computed tomography-based three-dimensional radiotherapy(SPECT-B-3DCRT), im-ages of Tc-99 m galactosyl human serum albumin(GSA), which bind to receptors on functional liver cells, are merged with the computed tomography simulation im-ages. Functional liver is defined as the area of normal liver where GSA accumulation exceeds that of hepato-cellular carcinoma(HCC). In cirrhotic patients with a gigantic, proton-beam-untreatable HCC of ≥ 14 cm in diameter, the use of SPECT-B-3DCRT in combination with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization achieved a 2-year local tumor control rate of 78.6% and a 2-year survival rate of 33.3%. SPECT-B-3DCRT was applied to HCC to preserve as much functional liver as possible. Sixty-four patients with HCC, including 30 with Child B liver cirrhosis, received SPECT-B-3DCRT and none ex-perienced fatal radiation-induced liver disease(RILD). The Child-Pugh score deteriorated by 1 or 2 in > 20% of functional liver volume that was irradiated with ≥ 20 Gy. The deterioration in the Child-Pugh score decreased when the radiation plan was designed to irradiate ≤ 20% of the functional liver volume in patients givendoses of ≥ 20 Gy(FLV20Gy). Therefore, FLV20 Gy ≤ 20% may represent a safety index to prevent RILD during 3DCRT for HCC. To supplement FLV20 Gy as a qualitative index, we propose a quantitative indicator, F 20 Gy, which was calculated as F 20 Gy = 100% ×(the GSA count in the area irradiated with ≥ 20 Gy)/(the GSA count in the whole liver).

Evaluation of vascular puncture needles with specific modifications for enhanced ultrasound visibility:In vitro study

AIM: To determine which modification to a vascular puncture needle results in increased visualization during ultrasound (US)-guided vascular puncture. METHODS: We evaluated US images of a phantom made of degassed gelatin and each of the following four modified versions of a commercially available vascular puncture needle (18 G): re-cut needle, dimple needle, rough-surface needle (rough over the sections of needle located 3-6 mm from the tip), and a needle with four side holes (side holes covered by the sheath). An unmodified commercially available puncture needle was used as a control. Five interventional radiologists evaluated image quality according to the following classification grade:?I, invisible; II, poor; III, moderate; IV, good; V, excellent. RESULTS: The highest score for needle visualization was obtained for the needle with four side holes. The re-cut needle scored the same as the control. Multiple comparisons were conducted using overall evaluation scores among the commercially available needle, dimple needle, rough-surface needle (3-6 mm), and the needle with four side holes. A significantly higher score was obtained for the needle with four side holes (P < 0.05/6). CONCLUSION: The needle with four side holes was prominently visualized and gained a significantly higher score (compared with the other needles) in a phantom evaluation.

Novel eradicative high-dose rate brachytherapy for internal mammary lymph node metastasis from breast cancer

AIM: To develop a method of delivering an eradicative high radiotherapeutic dose safely preserving the surrounding skin in the treatment of internal mammary lymph node metastasis (IMLNM) of breast cancer. METHODS: We report a 38-year-old female patient with a solo IMLNM showing no response to 60 Gy in 2.5 Gy fractions of external beam radiotherapy. To eradicate this tumor, a boost brachytherapy plan was created after percutaneous insertion of an applicator needle into the IMLNM lesion avoiding the pleura and vessels under ultrasound monitoring. According to the dose distribution, the required thickness of a spacer between the skin and the tumor was determined, and hyaluronic gel was injected up to this thickness under ultrasound monitoring. We evaluated skin doses, target doses and clinical outcome. RESULTS: All procedures were performed easily. Sixteen Gy (34.7 Gy equivalent in 2 Gy fractions calculated by the linear quadratic model at α/β = 10: EQD2, α/β = 10, cumulative total was 101.9 Gy EQD10) to 100% of the target volume was irradiated with cumulative maximum skin dose of 70 Gy EQD2, α/β = 3 which was 98.7 Gy EQD2, α/β = 3 without spacer. No procedure related- or late complications and no local recurrence at the treated site were observed for three years until expiration. CONCLUSION: We consider that this procedure will provide an eradicative high-dose irradiation to IMLNM of breast cancer, preserving skin from overdose complications.