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Published on: August 14, 2017
Liver function after irradiation based on computed tomographic portal vein perfusion imaging
Yue Cao1, Charlie Pan, James M Balter
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, UH-B2C432, Box 0010, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0010, USA. yuecao@umich.edu
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
|September 15, 2007
Summary
This study shows that liver sensitivity to radiation varies greatly between individuals. Hepatic perfusion imaging may help personalize radiotherapy by assessing liver function and predicting treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Radiotherapy
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Assessing individual liver sensitivity to radiation is crucial for optimizing conformal radiotherapy in patients with intrahepatic cancer.
- Understanding regional liver function and perfusion is key to predicting treatment tolerance and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) for measuring liver perfusion and assessing regional liver sensitivity to radiation during therapy.
- To determine if liver perfusion measurements can predict overall liver function after irradiation.
Main Methods:
- Patients with intrahepatic cancer underwent CECT for perfusion imaging and indocyanine green (ICG) extraction studies for liver function assessment.
- Measurements were taken before, during, and one month after conformal radiotherapy (45-84 Gy).
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was found between ICG clearance and mean portal vein perfusion in functional liver parenchyma (p < 0.001).
- Radiation doses up to 84 Gy led to undetectable regional portal vein perfusion in 0-39% of the liver volume one month post-treatment.
- The extent of perfusion loss varied based on individual patient sensitivity and radiation dose distribution.
Conclusions:
- Substantial individual variability exists in liver sensitivity to radiation therapy.
- Hepatic perfusion imaging via CECT shows potential as a biomarker for liver function.
- Perfusion imaging may enable individualized radiotherapy planning to improve patient outcomes.
