Stereotactic radiosurgery for multiple brain metastases: Results of multicenter benchmark planning studies

Stereotactic radiosurgery is indicated for treatment of multiple brain metastases. Various treatment platforms are available, but most comparisons are limited to single-center studies. As part of a national commissioning program, benchmark planning cases were completed by 21 clinical centers, providing a unique dataset of current practice across a large number of providers and equipment platforms.

Two brain metastases cases were provided, with images and structures predrawn, involving 3 and 7 lesions. Centers produced plans according to their local practice, which were reviewed centrally using metrics for target coverage, selectivity, gradient fall-off, and normal tissue sparing.

Fifty plans were submitted, using 24 treatment platforms. Eleven plans were revised following feedback, including 2 centers that acquired a new platform; 1 other center accepted a restriction of service. All centers prioritized coverage, with the prescription isodose covering ≥95% of 233 of 235 target volumes. Selectivity was much more variable, especially for smaller lesions, and when combined with poor gradient indices resulted in large volumes of normal tissue being irradiated. Tomotherapy submissions were outliers for either selectivity or gradient index, but other platforms could produce plans with relatively low gradient indices for larger lesion volumes. There was more variation among Varian and Elekta LINAC plans than for Gamma Knife and CyberKnife, and larger differences for smaller targets, both inter- and intratreatment platform. Doses to normal brain and brainstem were highest when margins were applied, but improvements were possible by replanning alone.

Multicenter benchmarking exercises have highlighted some variation in clinical practice and priorities, with a few outliers. Most platforms are able to achieve comparable plans, except for the smallest volumes and when larger planning margins are used. The data will be used to advance standardization and quality improvement of national services and can provide useful guidance for centers worldwide.