Assessing the Relationship Between MR-Based Functional Dose Metrics and Post-Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy...

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary imaging and radiation oncology.
• Advanced MRI techniques for functional assessment.
• Quantitative analysis of liver function and radiation dose.

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment often involves radiation therapy.
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a common modality for HCC.
• Preserving global liver function post-SBRT is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify predictors of liver function change after SBRT in HCC patients.
• Utilize albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score to measure global liver function.
• Develop functional-based treatment planning to preserve hepatic function.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 25 HCC patients undergoing SBRT.
• Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI to quantify regional liver function (k1).
• Correlation of functional and dosimetric data with ALBI score changes.

Main Results:

• Sparing liver with high function (high k1 intensity) reduced ALBI score decline.
• A threshold of 10% max k1 intensity and 5 Gy EQD2 was identified for function preservation.
• Integrated functional and dosimetric data improved prediction of ALBI score changes.

Conclusions:

• Combining regional liver function (MRI) and radiation dose robustly predicts ALBI score changes.
• Functional-based treatment planning may enhance liver function preservation in HCC SBRT.
• External validation is required for these findings.