Accuracy of Catheter Positioning in Liver Brachytherapy
Author Information
Author(s): Lüdemann Lutz, Wybranski Christian, Seidensticker Max, Mohnike Konrad, Kropf Siegfried, Wust Peter, Ricke Jens
Primary Institution: Charité Medical Center, Berlin, Germany
Hypothesis
What is the impact of catheter positioning accuracy and prolonged irradiation time on liver tolerance dose after brachytherapy?
Conclusion
The positioning accuracy of brachytherapy catheters is sufficient for clinical practice, and prolonged irradiation time has a minor impact on liver tolerance dose compared to positioning accuracy.
Supporting Evidence
- The mean shift between the irradiation effect volume and tolerance dose volume was approximately -5 mm.
- Positioning accuracy was within the 5-mm slice thickness of the treatment planning CT.
- Prolonged treatment time increases the normal tissue tolerance dose.
Takeaway
Doctors used special tubes to deliver radiation to the liver, and they found that how well they placed these tubes is more important than how long they kept the radiation on.
Methodology
The study analyzed 50 patients treated with CT-guided high-dose-rate brachytherapy, assessing catheter positioning accuracy and the effects of prolonged irradiation on liver tissue.
Potential Biases
Potential bias may arise from the manual delineation of catheter positions in treatment planning.
Limitations
The study's limitations include potential inaccuracies in catheter placement and the effects of local liver deformation.
Participant Demographics
50 patients with malignant liver tumors treated with brachytherapy.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.005
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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