Case report: Ultrahypofractionated palliative breast radiotherapy for a fungating invasive mammary carcinoma.

Palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic and intact breast tumors must balance convenience, efficacy, and risk of acute toxicity. This case report presents a patient with metastatic breast cancer and an intact fungating primary tumor. She was treated with an ultrahypofractionated radiation therapy, 26 Gy in 5 consecutive daily fractions, with sequential palliative chemotherapy. This resulted in a minimal toxicity profile and significant reduction of tumor burden and symptoms.

The Role of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in the Management of Liver Metastases.

The liver is a common site for metastatic spread for various primary tumor histologies. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a non-invasive treatment technique with broad patient candidacy for the ablation of tumors in the liver and other organs. SBRT involves focused, high-dose radiation therapy delivered in one to several treatments, resulting in high rates of local control. Use of SBRT for ablation of oligometastatic disease has increased in recent years and emerging prospective data have demonstrated improvements in progression free and overall survival in some settings. When delivering SBRT to liver metastases, clinicians must balance the priorities of delivering ablative tumor dosing while respecting dose constraints to surrounding organs at risk (OARs). Motion management techniques are crucial for meeting dose constraints, ensuring low rates of toxicity, maintaining quality of life, and can allow for dose escalation. Advanced radiotherapy delivery approaches including proton therapy, robotic radiotherapy, and real-time MR-guided radiotherapy may further improve the accuracy of liver SBRT. In this article, we review the rationale for oligometastases ablation, the clinical outcomes with liver SBRT, tumor dose and OAR considerations, and evolving strategies to improve liver SBRT delivery.

Early Return to Daily Life through Immediate Weight-Bearing after Lateral Malleolar Fracture Surgery.

Lateral malleolus fracture is one of the most common fractures. However, there is controversy regarding the rehabilitation protocols used after surgery. In particular, the initiation point for weight-bearing has not been standardized. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic difference between immediate and delayed weight-bearing on lateral malleolus fractures. The medical records of matched patients in the immediate and delayed weight-bearing groups (50 and 50, respectively) were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using an anatomical locking compression plate with a lag screw. In the immediate weight-bearing group (IWB), tolerable weight-bearing (i.e., what can be endured immediately after surgery with crutches) was permitted. In the delayed weight-bearing group (DWB), weight-bearing was completely restricted for 4 weeks after surgery. Ankle motion exercise was permitted in both groups, starting from the day after surgery. Radiographic assessment data and clinical outcomes were reviewed between the two groups. No significant differences in radiographic assessments and complications were found between the two groups. Significant differences in terms of a shortened length of hospital stay and time to return to work with the IWB rehabilitation protocol compared with DWB were confirmed (6.0 vs. 9.2 days, p = 0.02 and 6.1 vs. 8.3 weeks, p = 0.02, respectively). A significant difference in sport factor was observed in the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score at 3 months postoperatively (72.3 vs. 67.4, p = 0.02). We found no significant differences between the two groups concerning postoperative radiological outcomes and complications. The benefits of shortening the time to return to work and length of hospital stay associated with the IWB rehabilitation protocol were confirmed. In conclusion, immediate weight-bearing is recommended in patients with lateral malleolus fracture after anatomical reduction and firm fixation by surgery.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Patellofemoral Morphometry Reveals Age and Gender Variations in the Knees of Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The morphology and alignment of the patellofemoral joint are crucial risk factors for patellar instability, and the incidence of acute primary patellar dislocation is the highest in women in their second decade of life. The purpose of the study was to analyze age and gender variations of the patellofemoral joint using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A total of 852 patients aged between 4 and 18 years with a history of knee MRI examinations were screened for eligibility and 663 patients (470 males, 193 females) were included. Patients were divided into groups according to age and sex. The age group was divided into five groups (Group 1, 4-6 years; Group 2, 7-9 years; Group 3, 10-12 years; Group 4, 13-15 years; and Group 5, 16-18 years). Three orthopaedic surgeons measured MRI parameters reflecting the patellofemoral morphology (sulcus angle, lateral trochlear inclination, trochlear facet symmetry, and femoral depth) and alignment (tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance, percent sulcus location, and percent tibia tuberosity location). RESULTS: Parameters including tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance, sulcus angle, percent tibial tuberosity location, trochlear facet symmetry, and femoral depth showed significant differences between the age groups (p < 0.05). The sulcus angle decreased fin Group 2, and the femoral depth showed an increasing trend with aging in male patients. However, the sulcus angle in females decreased first and then increased in Group 3 as the inflection point. The femoral depth showed an opposite pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Patellofemoral morphometry showed age and gender variation. Notably, the sulcus angle and femoral depth were significantly different between males and females and changed according to the development. These findings may reflect the sex difference and peak incidence of the patellar instability risk. Understanding the morphological changes and differences of the patellofemoral joint may facilitate the diagnosis of patellofemoral pathologies.

Incidence and Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Lateral Hinge Fracture After Medial Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Few clinical studies have reported the predictors of lateral hinge fracture (LHF) after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to compare the incidence of LHF on plain radiographs versus computed tomography (CT) scans and to investigate the factors related to the development of LHF after MOWHTO. We hypothesized that (1) a higher LHF detection rate would be seen on CT scans versus plain radiographs and (2) LHF incidence would be related to opening gap width and hinge position. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 97 MOWHTO cases were included. The presence and types of LHF were determined from plain radiographs and CT scans. Radiographic parameters were measured on plain radiographs taken 6 weeks postoperatively. Anterior and posterior opening gap widths, coronal and sagittal osteotomy slopes, and fibular height were calculated from CT scans. The wedge-hinge relationship and the zone of hinge position were assessed, and the patient and radiographic factors related to LHF occurrence were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventeen LHF cases (20.5%) were detected on plain radiographs, while significantly more (37 cases; 44.6%) were found on CT scans (P = .001). Based on Takeuchi classification, 28 LHF cases were considered type 1, 7 were type 2, and 2 were type 3. Logistic regression analysis revealed that opening gap width (odds ratio, 1.615; 95% confidence interval, 1.232-2.118; P = .001) and posterior opening gap width (odds ratio, 3.731; 95% confidence interval, 1.642-4.351; P = .008,) differed significantly between patients with versus without LHF. Other patient and radiographic factors were not significantly related to LHF occurrence. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified the opening gap width cutoff values for LHF as 11.0 mm (area under the curve, 0.81; sensitivity, 78.4%; specificity, 73.9%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of LHF after MOWHTO can be underestimated on plain radiographs compared with CT scans. Only large opening gap width, especially posterior gap width, was found to have a statistically significant relationship with occurrence of LHF. Therefore, special caution for possible LHF may be needed if a large correction is planned.

Definitive chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy for the treatment of esophageal and gastroesophageal carcinoma - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: There currently exists limited data comparing definitive chemoradiotherapy to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with esophagectomy for patients with esophageal carcinoma. While we await more trials, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies with either propensity score matched or multivariable analyses, to provide a better understanding of the relative efficacy and effectiveness. METHODS: MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from database initiation (1946 for MEDLINE, 1974 for EMBASE, and 1995 for Cochrane) up until May 2021. Articles were included if they reported on overall survival or toxicity data. Summary hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using a random-effects DerSimonian-Laird model. RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 16,647 patients were included in this review. Patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with esophagectomy had better overall survival - HR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.49-0.62. Toxicity was similar, between the two treatments. CONCLUSION: Patients with esophageal carcinoma receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy have better survival than patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy. Given the paucity of data and lack of uniform reporting of endpoints, further studies should be conducted.

In Silico Single-Fraction Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Thoracic and Abdominal Oligometastatic Disease With Online Adaptive Magnetic Resonance Guidance.

PURPOSE: Although SABR can improve oncologic outcomes for patients with oligometastatic disease, treatment of metastases near critical organs remains challenging. The purpose of this study is to determine the dosimetric feasibility of delivering magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided adaptive SABR in a single fraction for abdominal and thoracic metastases. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Previously delivered MRI-guided radiation therapy plans for 20 patients with oligometastatic disease in the thorax or abdomen, with 70% (14/20) of the lesions within 8 mm from dose-limiting organs at risk (OARs), were used to simulate the delivery of 24 Gy in a single fraction. Planning objectives included planning target volume (PTV) V95% >90%, optimized PTV (PTVopt) V95% >90%, and PTVopt D99% >20 Gy with no OAR dose violations, where PTVopt removed overlap with nearby planning organ at risk volume (PRV). Single-fraction plans were simulated on the first 5 daily setup breath-hold MRI scans, and the plans were reoptimized to consider variations in setup position and anatomy. RESULTS: The mean PTV V95% for single-fraction SABR plans was lower compared with multifraction plans (mean 85.4% vs 92.6%, P = .02), but mean PTVopt V95% was not different (95.3% vs 98.2%, P = .62). After reoptimization of the single-fraction plan to the treatment day MRI, there was an increase in mean PTV V95% (85.0% vs 88.1%, P = .05), increase in mean PTVopt V95% (92.7% vs 96.3%, P = .02), increase in mean PTVopt D99% (19.7 Gy vs 23.8 Gy, P < .01), increase in mean frequency of meeting PTV D99% >20 Gy (52% vs 87%, P < .01), and increase in mean gross tumor volume minimum dose (17.5 Gy vs 19.3 Gy, P < .01). Reoptimization decreased mean frequency of OAR dose constraint violation (48% vs 0%, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Single-fraction MRI-guided SABR is a dosimetrically feasible treatment for oligometastases that allows for on-table adaptation to avoid OAR dose constraint violations, but this method requires clinical validation.

Review of MR-Guided Radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer.

In this review, we outline the potential benefits and the future role of MRI and MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) in the management of esophageal cancer. Although not currently used in most clinical practice settings, MRI is a useful non-invasive imaging modality that provides excellent soft tissue contrast and the ability to visualize cancer physiology. Chemoradiation therapy with or without surgery is essential for the management of locally advanced esophageal cancer. MRI can help stage esophageal cancer, delineate the gross tumor volume (GTV), and assess the response to chemoradiotherapy. Integrated MRgRT systems can help overcome the challenge of esophageal motion due to respiratory motion by using real-time imaging and tumor tracking with respiratory gating. With daily on-table MRI, shifts in tumor position and tumor regression can be taken into account for online-adaptation. The combination of accurate GTV visualization, respiratory gating, and online adaptive planning, allows for tighter treatment volumes and improved sparing of the surrounding normal organs. This could lead to a reduction in radiotherapy induced cardiac toxicity, pneumonitis and post-operative complications. Tumor physiology as seen on diffusion weighted imaging or dynamic contrast enhancement can help individualize treatments based on the response to chemoradiotherapy. Patients with a complete response on MRI can be considered for organ preservation while patients with no response can be offered an earlier resection. In patients with a partial response to chemoradiotherapy, areas of residual cancer can be targeted for dose escalation. The tighter and more accurate targeting enabled with MRgRT may enable hypofractionated treatment schedules.

Diagnostic Performance of MRI for Esophageal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background Although CT, endoscopic US, and PET are critical in determining the appropriate management of esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma), previous reports show that staging accuracy remains low, particularly for nodal involvement sensitivity. Purpose To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the diagnostic performance of MRI for multiple staging thresholds in patients with biopsy-proven esophageal carcinoma (differentiation of stage T0 disease from stage T1 or higher disease, differentiation of stage T2 or lower disease from stage T3 or higher disease, and differentiation of stage N0 disease from stage N1 or higher disease [where T refers to tumor stage and N refers to nodal stage]). Materials and Methods Studies of the diagnostic performance of MRI in determining the stage of esophageal carcinoma in patients before esophagectomy and pathologic staging between 2000 and 2019 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library by a librarian and radiation oncologist. Pooled diagnostic performance of MRI was calculated with a bivariate random effects model. Bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (version 2) tool. Results Twenty studies with a total of 984 patients were included in the analysis. Pooled accuracy for stage T0 versus stage T1 or higher had a sensitivity of 92% (95% CI: 82, 96) and a specificity of 67% (95% CI: 51, 81). Pooled accuracy for stage T2 or lower versus stage T3 or higher had a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI: 76, 92) and a specificity of 86% (95% CI: 75, 93). Pooled accuracy for stage N0 versus stage N1 or higher had a sensitivity of 71% (95% CI: 60, 80) and a specificity of 72% (95% CI: 64, 79). The concern for applicability was low for the patient selection, index test, and reference test domains, except for 10% of studies (two of 20) that had unclear concern for patient selection applicability. Conclusion MRI has high sensitivity but low specificity for the detection of esophageal carcinoma, which shows promise for determining neoadjuvant therapy response and for detecting locally advanced disease for potential trimodality therapy. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Leeflang in this issue.

Factors related to the early outcome of medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy: coronal limb alignment affects more than cartilage degeneration state.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify possible factors influencing the early outcome after medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 87 MOWHTO cases with a minimum of 2-year follow-up and second-look arthroscopic results available were enrolled. The cartilage degeneration state was evaluated by the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grading. Radiographic parameters including the hip-knee-ankle axis (HKA), medial proximal tibia angle (MPTA), posterior tibial slope, patellar height, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), joint line convergence angle (JLCA), joint line obliquity (JLO), and weight-bearing line ratio (WBLR) were measured. The pre-operative arthritic change was evaluated by Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification. According to the post-operative HKA, knees were divided into three (Under/Optimal/Over-correction) subgroups. Subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores were evaluated and factors related to post-operative IKDC scores were analyzed. RESULTS: The pre-operative HKA (P = 0.002), post-operative HKA (P = 0.007), pre-operative MPTA (P = 0.011), and pre-operative WBLR (P = 0.031) were significantly related to the post-operative IKDC score. Cartilage degeneration states evaluated from first and second-look arthroscopy were not associated with post-operative IKDC score. Subgroup analysis revealed that the Under-correction group had significantly lower post-operative IKDC scores compared to the Optimal and Over-correction group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.030, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our result suggests that a sub-optimal correction of coronal limb alignment negatively affects the early outcome of MOWHTO. On the other hand, the effect of the degree of cartilage degeneration was not significant.

Delta Radiomics Analysis for Local Control Prediction in Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated Using Magnetic Resonance Guided Radiotherapy.

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Delta Radiomics analysis in the prediction of one-year local control (1yLC) in patients affected by locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and treated using Magnetic Resonance guided Radiotherapy (MRgRT). A total of 35 patients from two institutions were enrolled: A 0.35 Tesla T2*/T1 MR image was acquired for each case during simulation and on each treatment fraction. Physical dose was converted in biologically effective dose (BED) to compensate for different radiotherapy schemes. Delta Radiomics analysis was performed considering the gross tumour volume (GTV) delineated on MR images acquired at BED of 20, 40, and 60 Gy. The performance of the delta features in predicting 1yLC was investigated in terms of Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test and area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The most significant feature in predicting 1yLC was the variation of cluster shade calculated at BED = 40 Gy, with a p-value of 0.005 and an AUC of 0.78 (0.61-0.94). Delta Radiomics analysis on low-field MR images might play a promising role in 1yLC prediction for LAPC patients: further studies including an external validation dataset and a larger cohort of patients are recommended to confirm the validity of this preliminary experience.

Reduction of cardiac dose using respiratory-gated MR-linac plans for gastro-esophageal junction cancer.

Treatment of locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) with chemoradiation may be associated with high rates of symptomatic cardiac toxicity. Large margins are typically required to ensure coverage of GEJ tumors with free-breathing volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) radiotherapy. The purpose of this study is to determine whether treatment with tighter margins enabled by maximum-inhalation breath hold (MIBH)-gated intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on an integrated MRI-linear accelerator system (MR-linac) can decrease radiation doses to the heart and cardiac substructures. Ten patients with locally advanced GEJ adenocarcinoma underwent both free breathing 4-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) and MIBH MRI simulation scans. MR-linac IMRT plans were created with a 3 mm clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) isotropic margin and 4DCT VMAT plans were created with a 11, 13, and 9 mm CTV to PTV anisotropic margins in the left-right, cranial-caudal, and anterior-posterior directions according to GEJ-specific PTV expansion recommendations by Voncken et al. Prescription dose to PTV was 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. Dosimetry to the heart and cardiac substructures was compared with paired t test; p < 0.05 was considered significant. Mean PTV on the MR-linac IMRT plans was significantly smaller compared to the 4DCT VMAT plans (689 cm3vs 1275 cm3, p < 0.01). Mean dose to the heart and all cardiac substructures was significantly lower in the MR-linac IMRT plans compared to the 4DCT VMAT plans: heart 20.9 Gy vs 27.8 Gy, left atrium 29.6 Gy vs 39.4 Gy, right atrium 20.5 Gy vs 25.6 Gy, left ventricle 21.6 Gy vs 29.6 Gy, and right ventricle 18.7 Gy vs 25.2 Gy (all p values <0.05). MIBH-gated MR-linac IMRT treatment of locally advanced GEJ adenocarcinoma can significantly decrease doses to the heart and cardiac substructures and this may translate to reduced rates of cardiac toxicity.

Improved dosimetric accuracy with semi-automatic contour propagation of organs-at-risk in glioblastoma patients undergoing chemoradiation.

BACKGROUND: We study the changes in organs-at-risk (OARs) morphology as contoured on serial MRIs during chemoradiation therapy (CRT) of glioblastoma (GBM). The dosimetric implication of assuming non-deformable OAR changes and the accuracy and feasibility of semi-automatic OAR contour propagation are investigated. METHODS: Fourteen GBM patients who were treated with adjuvant CRT for GBM prospectively underwent MRIs on fractions 0 (i.e., planning), 10, 20, and 1 month post last fraction of CRT. Three sets of OAR contours - (a) manual, (b) rigidly registered (static), and (c) semi-automatically propagated - were compared using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD). Dosimetric impact was determined by comparing the minimum dose to the 0.03 cc receiving the highest dose (D0.03 cc) on a clinically approved reference, non-adapted radiation therapy plan. RESULTS: The DSC between the manual contours and the static contours decreased significantly over time (fraction 10: [mean ± 1 SD] 0.78 ± 0.17, post 1 month: 0.76 ± 0.17, P = 0.02) while the HD (P = 0.74) and the difference in D0.03cc did not change significantly (P = 0.51). Using the manual contours as reference, compared to static contours, propagated contours have a significantly higher DSC (propagated: [mean ± 1 SD] 0.81 ± 0.15, static: 0.77 ± 0.17, P < 0.001), lower HD (propagated: 3.77 ± 1.8 mm, static: 3.96 ± 1.6 mm, P = 0.002), and a significantly lower absolute difference in D0.03cc (propagated: 101 ± 159 cGy, static: 136 ± 243 cGy, P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Nonrigid changes in OARs over time lead to different maximum doses than planned. By using semi-automatic OAR contour propagation, OARs are more accurately delineated on subsequent fractions, with corresponding improved accuracy of the reported dose to the OARs.

Extensive Unpredictable Pancreas Cancer Inter-fraction Motion: A Case Report.

We present a case of locally advanced pancreatic cancer with duodenal invasion treated with consolidative chemoradiation, where extensive unpredictable interfraction motion was observed. Initially, two attempts were made to treat with volumetric modulated arc therapy technique. However, due to substantial interfractional motion of the pancreatic head mass relative to the regional nodal areas, the patient was eventually replanned and treated with a four-field box technique. This case highlights the difficulty in delivering conformal radiation to the pancreas and quantifies the movement of the target, the adjacent biliary stent, and regional nodes.