The value of image coregistration during stereotactic radiosurgery

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging-cone beam computed tomography rigid registration of the head: an in-vitro study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the performance of cross-modality image registration procedure between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS

In vitro diagnostic MRI and CBCT images of 5 cadaver swine heads were obtained prospectively. Five radiopaque fiducial markers were attached to each cadaver skull by using resin screws. Automatic MRI-CBCT rigid registrations were performed. The specimens were then scanned using a 3-dimensional (3-D) laser scanner. The 3-D coordinate points for the centroid of the attached fiducial markers from laser scan were identified and considered ground truth. The distances between marker centroids were measured with MRI, CBCT, and MRI-CBCT. Accuracy was calculated by using repeated measures analysis of variance and mean difference values. The registration method was repeated 10 times for each specimen in MRI to measure the average error.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference (P > .05) in mean distances of the markers between all images and the ground truth. The distances' mean difference between MRI, CBCT, and MRI-CBCT and the ground truth were 0.2 ± 1.1 mm, 0.3 ± 1.0 mm, 0.2 ± 1.2 mm, respectively. The detected method error ranged between 0.06 mm and 0.1 mm.

CONCLUSION

The cross-modality image registration algorithm is accurate for head MRI-CBCT registration.

Review of potential improvements using MRI in the radiotherapy workflow

The goal of modern radiotherapy is to deliver a lethal amount of dose to tissue volumes that contain a significant amount of tumour cells while sparing surrounding unaffected or healthy tissue. Online image guided radiotherapy with stereotactic ultrasound, fiducial-based planar X-ray imaging or helical/conebeam CT has dramatically improved the precision of radiotherapy, with moving targets still posing some methodical problems regarding positioning. Therefore, requirements for precise target delineation and identification of functional body structures to be spared by high doses become more evident. The identification of areas of relatively radioresistant cells or areas of high tumor cell density is currently under development. This review outlines the state of the art of MRI integration into treatment planning and its importance in follow up and the quantification of biological effects. Finally the current state of the art of online imaging for patient positioning will be outlined and indications will be given what the potential of integrated radiotherapy/online MRI systems is.

Efficacy and limitations of stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of glioblastoma

Treatment of recurrent glioblastoma is still challenging. Stereotactic radiosurgery has been accepted as a treatment option for recurrent glioblastoma after standard chemotherapy and irradiation. However, the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery at recurrence has been limited, mainly due to the highly infiltrative nature of the tumor which makes the lesion difficult to define as the target. To enhance the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery, several methods of targeting based on neuroimaging technology such as positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been adopted to irradiate as many of the viable tumor cells as possible and showed some enhanced efficacy. In a trial of intensified treatment by extending the irradiation field, improvement of local control did not result in longer survival. Radiation-induced adverse event is another problem after stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent glioblastoma because almost all patients underwent irradiation as a part of the initial treatment. To overcome the side effects associated with re-irradiation, use of bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor, has shown some efficacy. Advances in irradiation technology, neuroimaging, and adjuvant treatment are needed to enhance the efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent glioblastoma and reduce the morbidity associated with irradiation.

Concept of robotic gamma knife microradiosurgery and results of its clinical application in benign skull base tumors

The availability of advanced computer-aided robotized devices for the Gamma Knife (i.e., an automatic positioning system and PerfeXion) resulted in significant changes in radiosurgical treatment strategy. The possibility of applying irradiation precisely and the significantly improved software for treatment planning led to the development of the original concept of robotic Gamma Knife microradiosurgery, which is comprised of the following: (1) precise irradiation of the lesion with regard to conformity and selectivity; (2) intentional avoidance of excessive irradiation of functionally important anatomical structures, particularly cranial nerves, located both within the target and in its vicinity; (3) delivery of sufficient radiation energy to the tumor with a goal of shrinking it while keeping the dose at the margins low enough to prevent complications. Realization of such treatment principles requires detailed evaluation of the microanatomy of the target area, which is achieved with an advanced neuroimaging protocol. From 2003, we applied the described microradiosurgical concept in our clinic for patients with benign skull base tumors. Overall, 75 % of neoplasms demonstrated shrinkage, and 47 % showed ≥50 % and more volume reduction. Treatment-related complications were encountered in only 6 % of patients and were mainly related to transient cranial nerve palsy. Just 2 % of neoplasms showed regrowth after irradiation. In conclusion, applying the microradiosurgical principles based on advanced neuroimaging and highly precise treatment planning is beneficial for patients, providing a high rate of tumor shrinkage and a low morbidity rate.

Management of a DBS system in patients with traumatic brain injury: case report

INTRODUCTION

  The use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) is growing. While these patients may suffer from traumatic brain injuries, treatment guidelines for these patients have not yet been reported. This case report demonstrates a strategy for traumatic brain injury after DBS implantation.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

  A 46-year-old man underwent bilateral DBS in the posterior subthalamic area for essential tremor, which improved both distal and proximal tremor. Two years later, he underwent emergent hematoma evacuation due to a motor vehicle associated injury. A 23-year-old male patient presented with severe Tourette's syndrome characterized by a vocal and self lip biting motor tic. There was a good effect of chronic bilateral thalamic DBS at CM-Pf. Five months later, he had acute subdural hematoma after a motorcycle accident. Instead of removing stimulation electrodes immediately after traumatic brain injury, the patient was reassessed after recovery. Merged preoperative magnetic resonance images and brain computed tomography images, and clinical reassessments were used to plan future treatment.

CONCLUSION

  We recommend removing only the hematoma, leaving the electrodes in position, and then reassessing the electrode position using merged images. The clinical correlation with electrode migration also should be checked. If the patient can tolerate stimulation with a minor displacement, the electrodes should be left in position and the stimulation parameter needs to be adjusted. If not, the stimulation electrodes should be deactivated or repositioned appropriately, depending on the patient's conditions.

Outcomes of diffusion tensor tractography-integrated stereotactic radiosurgery

PURPOSE

To analyze the effect of use of tractography of the critical brain white matter fibers created from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging on reduction of morbidity associated with radiosurgery.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Tractography of the pyramidal tract has been integrated since February 2004 if lesions are adjacent to it, the optic radiation since May 2006, and the arcuate fasciculus since October 2007. By visually confirming the precise location of these fibers, the dose to these fiber tracts was optimized. One hundred forty-four consecutive patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations who underwent radiosurgery with this technique between February 2004 and December 2009 were analyzed.

RESULTS

Tractography was prospectively integrated in 71 of 155 treatments for 144 patients. The pyramidal tract was visualized in 45, the optic radiation in 22, and the arcuate fasciculus in 13 (two tracts in 9). During the follow-up period of 3 to 72 months (median, 23 months) after the procedure, 1 patient showed permanent worsening of pre-existing dysesthesia, and another patient exhibited mild transient hemiparesis 12 months later but fully recovered after oral administration of corticosteroid agents. Two patients had transient speech disturbance before starting integration of the arcuate fasciculus tractography, but no patient thereafter.

CONCLUSION

Integrating tractography helped prevent morbidity of radiosurgery in patients with brain arteriovenous malformations.