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Journal of Pediatric Surgery Sep 2020The incidence of children developing recurrent sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is 2-35%. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is often used as a tumor marker for (malignant)...
BACKGROUND
The incidence of children developing recurrent sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is 2-35%. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is often used as a tumor marker for (malignant) recurrences of SCT and could potentially be used during routine follow-up after SCT resection. However, the diagnostic accuracy of serum AFP levels during follow-up has not been well established. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the diagnostic accuracy of serum AFP levels in recurrent SCT.
METHODS
We queried Search Premier, COCHRANE Library, EMCARE, EMBASE, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science databases to identify studies regarding patients with SCT with follow-up using serum AFP levels postoperative. We estimated sensitivity and specificity of serum AFP levels.
RESULTS
Fifteen studies (613 patients, 121 recurrences) were included and these mainly described serum AFP levels in patients with recurrent SCT (n = 111); 83 (75%) patients with recurrent SCT had elevated serum AFP levels. A subgroup analysis of articles that measured serum AFP levels in all patients (n = 6, 136 patients, 14 recurrences) showed a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 95%, respectively. The sensitivity of AFP levels to detect malignant recurrence was 96%.
CONCLUSION
Diagnostic accuracy of serum AFP levels to detect recurrent SCT seems promising, though sensitivity could be overestimated since serum AFP levels are mainly described in patients with elevated AFP levels or at recurrent SCT. Furthermore, serum AFP levels could be helpful to detect malignant recurrences.
TYPE OF STUDY
Systematic review of level 2-4 studies.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level 2-4 (mostly level 2).
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Child; Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Pelvic Neoplasms; Sacrococcygeal Region; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spinal Neoplasms; Teratoma; alpha-Fetoproteins
PubMed: 32376010
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2020.03.014 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2020Uterine leiomyomas, also referred to as myomas or fibroids, are benign tumours arising from the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium. They are the most common pelvic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Uterine leiomyomas, also referred to as myomas or fibroids, are benign tumours arising from the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium. They are the most common pelvic tumour in women. The estimated rate of leiomyosarcoma, found during surgery for presumed benign leiomyomas, is about 0.51 per 1000 procedures, or approximately 1 in 2000. Treatment options for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas include medical, surgical, and radiologically-guided interventions. Laparoscopic myomectomy is the gold standard surgical approach for women who want offspring, or otherwise wish to retain their uterus. A limitation of laparoscopy is the inability to remove large specimens from the abdominal cavity through the laparoscope. To overcome this challenge, the morcellation approach was developed, during which larger specimens are broken into smaller pieces in order to remove them from the abdominal cavity via the port site. However, intracorporeal power morcellation may lead to scattering of benign tissues, with the risk of spreading leiomyoma or endometriosis. In cases of unsuspected malignancy, power morcellation can cause unintentional dissemination of malignant cells, and lead to a poorer prognosis by upstaging the occult cancer. A strategy to optimise women's safety is to morcellate the specimens inside a bag. In-bag morcellation may avoid the dissemination of tissue fragments.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of protected in-bag extracorporeal manual morcellation during laparoscopic myomectomy compared to intra-abdominal uncontained power morcellation.
SEARCH METHODS
On 1 July 2019, we searched; the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Specialized Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS, PubMed, Google Scholar, and two trials registers. We reviewed the reference lists of all retrieved full-text articles, and contacted experts in the field for additional and ongoing trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included all randomised controlled trials comparing in-bag extracorporeal manual morcellation versus intracorporeal uncontained power morcellation during laparoscopic myomectomy in premenopausal women.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We followed standard Cochrane methods. Two review authors independently reviewed the eligibility of trials, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias. Data were checked for accuracy. The summary measures were reported as risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). The outcomes of interest were a composite of intraoperative and postoperative complications, operative times, ease of morcellation, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, conversion to laparotomy, and postoperative diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. Results for the five main outcomes follow.
MAIN RESULTS
We included two trials, enrolling 176 premenopausal women with fibroids, who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy. The experimental group received in-bag manual morcellation, during which each enucleated myoma was placed into a specimen retrieval bag, and manually morcellated with scalpel or scissors. In the control group, intracorporeal uncontained power morcellation was used to reduce the size of the myomas. No intraoperative complications, including accidental morcellation of the liver, conversion to laparotomy, endoscopic bag disruption, bowel injury, bleeding, accidental injury to any viscus or vessel, were reported in either group in either trial. We found very low-quality evidence of inconclusive results for total operative time (MD 9.93 minutes, 95% CI -1.35 to 21.20; 2 studies, 176 participants; I² = 35%), and ease of morcellation (MD -0.73 points, 95% CI -1.64 to 0.18; 1 study, 104 participants). The morcellation operative time was a little longer for the in-bag manual morcellation group, however the quality of the evidence was very low (MD 2.59 minutes, 95% CI 0.45 to 4.72; 2 studies, 176 participants; I² = 0%). There were no postoperative diagnoses of leiomyosarcoma made in either group in either trial. We are very uncertain of any of these results. We downgraded the quality of the evidence due to indirectness and imprecision, because of limited sites in high-income settings and countries, small sample sizes, wide confidence intervals, and few events.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There are limited data on the effectiveness and safety of in-bag morcellation at the time of laparoscopic myomectomy compared to uncontained power morcellation. We were unable to determine the effects of in-bag morcellation on intraoperative complications as no events were reported in either group. We are uncertain if in-bag morcellation improves total operative time or ease of morcellation compared to control. Regarding morcellation operative time, the quality of the evidence was also very low and we cannot be certain of the effect of in-bag morcellation compared to uncontained morcellation. No cases of postoperative diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma occurred in either group. We found only two trials comparing in-bag extracorporeal manual morcellation to intracorporeal uncontained power morcellation at the time of laparoscopic myomectomy. Both trials had morcellation operative time as primary outcome and were not powered for uncommon outcomes such as intraoperative complications, and postoperative diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. Large, well-planned and executed trials are needed.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Intraoperative Complications; Laparoscopy; Leiomyoma; Length of Stay; Middle Aged; Morcellation; Operative Time; Postoperative Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Specimen Handling; Uterine Myomectomy; Uterine Neoplasms; Young Adult
PubMed: 32374421
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013352.pub2 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2020Fibroids are the most common benign tumours of the female genital tract and are associated with numerous clinical problems including a possible negative impact on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Fibroids are the most common benign tumours of the female genital tract and are associated with numerous clinical problems including a possible negative impact on fertility. In women requesting preservation of fertility, fibroids can be surgically removed (myomectomy) by laparotomy, laparoscopically or hysteroscopically depending on the size, site and type of fibroid. Myomectomy is however a procedure that is not without risk and can result in serious complications. It is therefore essential to determine whether such a procedure can result in an improvement in fertility and, if so, to then determine the ideal surgical approach.
OBJECTIVES
To examine the effect of myomectomy on fertility outcomes and to compare different surgical approaches.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group (CGFG) Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Epistemonikos database, World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform search portal, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), LILACS, conference abstracts on the ISI Web of Knowledge, OpenSigle for grey literature from Europe, and reference list of relevant papers. The final search was in February 2019.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effect of myomectomy compared to no intervention or where different surgical approaches are compared regarding the effect on fertility outcomes in a group of infertile women suffering from uterine fibroids.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data collection and analysis were conducted in accordance with the procedure suggested in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.
MAIN RESULTS
This review included four RCTs with 442 participants. The evidence was very low-quality with the main limitations being due to serious imprecision, inconsistency and indirectness. Myomectomy versus no intervention One study examined the effect of myomectomy compared to no intervention on reproductive outcomes. We are uncertain whether myomectomy improves clinical pregnancy rate for intramural (odds ratio (OR) 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.57 to 6.14; 45 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), submucous (OR 2.04, 95% CI 0.62 to 6.66; 52 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), intramural/subserous (OR 2.00, 95% CI 0.40 to 10.09; 31 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence) or intramural/submucous fibroids (OR 3.24, 95% CI 0.72 to 14.57; 42 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence). Similarly, we are uncertain whether myomectomy reduces miscarriage rate for intramural fibroids (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.26 to 6.78; 45 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), submucous fibroids (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.27 to 5.97; 52 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), intramural/subserous fibroids (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.10 to 6.54; 31 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence) or intramural/submucous fibroids (OR 2.00, 95% CI 0.32 to 12.33; 42 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence). This study did not report on live birth, preterm delivery, ongoing pregnancy or caesarean section rate. Laparoscopic myomectomy versus myomectomy by laparotomy or mini-laparotomy Two studies compared laparoscopic myomectomy to myomectomy at laparotomy or mini-laparotomy. We are uncertain whether laparoscopic myomectomy compared to laparotomy or mini-laparotomy improves live birth rate (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.50; 177 participants; two studies; I = 0%; very low-quality evidence), preterm delivery rate (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.11 to 4.29; participants = 177; two studies; I = 0%, very low-quality evidence), clinical pregnancy rate (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.78; 177 participants; two studies; I = 0%, very low-quality evidence), ongoing pregnancy rate (OR 1.61, 95% CI 0.26 to 10.04; 115 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), miscarriage rate (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.40 to 3.89; participants = 177; two studies; I = 0%, very low-quality evidence), or caesarean section rate (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.39; participants = 177; two studies; I = 21%, very low-quality evidence). Monopolar resectoscope versus bipolar resectoscope One study evaluated the use of two electrosurgical systems during hysteroscopic myomectomy. We are uncertain whether bipolar resectoscope use compared to monopolar resectoscope use improves live birth/ongoing pregnancy rate (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.30 to 2.50; 68 participants; one study, very low-quality evidence), clinical pregnancy rate (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.33 to 2.36; 68 participants; one study; very low-quality evidence), or miscarriage rate (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.19 to 5.34; participants = 68; one study; very low-quality evidence). This study did not report on preterm delivery or caesarean section rate.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is limited evidence to determine the role of myomectomy for infertility in women with fibroids as only one trial compared myomectomy with no myomectomy. If the decision is made to have a myomectomy, the current evidence does not indicate a superior method (laparoscopy, laparotomy or different electrosurgical systems) to improve rates of live birth, preterm delivery, clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, or caesarean section. Furthermore, the existing evidence needs to be viewed with caution due to the small number of events, minimal number of studies and very low-quality evidence.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Cesarean Section; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Leiomyomatosis; Live Birth; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Uterine Myomectomy; Uterine Neoplasms
PubMed: 31995657
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003857.pub4 -
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Mar 2020The causal association of human papillomavirus (HPV) in uterine cervical cancer was well established and this oncogenic virus was reported to be a biomarker for overall... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The causal association of human papillomavirus (HPV) in uterine cervical cancer was well established and this oncogenic virus was reported to be a biomarker for overall recurrence and central pelvic recurrence. The objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the role of HPV DNA testing in early detection of recurrence among cervical cancer survivors after radiotherapy.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis by means of searching electronic databases for published articles between January 1984 and June 2018, on the basis of standard systematic review guidelines prescribed by major agencies namely Cochrane Collaboration (https://www.cochrane.org) and Campbell Collaboration (https://www.campbellcollaboration.org). The meta-analysis component was further modified appropriately for the synthesis of sensitivity and specificity results.
RESULTS
A total of 1,055 cervical cancer cases who had received pelvic radiation with or without chemotherapy from ten cohort studies were evaluated. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of HPV DNA testing was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]= 0.66-0.94) and 0.35 (95% CI=0.20-0.54) respectively. The positive likelihood ratio was 1.3 (95% CI=1.0-1.7) and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.45 (95% CI=0.18-1.10) with an estimated diagnostic odds ratio of 3 (95% CI=1-9).
CONCLUSION
The screening for HPV DNA testing during follow-up facilitates early detection of recurrence after radiotherapy.
Topics: Cervix Uteri; DNA, Viral; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests; Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; Sensitivity and Specificity; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 31912676
DOI: 10.3802/jgo.2020.31.e20 -
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology Mar 2020Despite a substantial increase in the use of MRI for pretreatment evaluation of prostate cancer, its prognostic value in patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Despite a substantial increase in the use of MRI for pretreatment evaluation of prostate cancer, its prognostic value in patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) is not well known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature and perform a meta-analysis on the prognostic value of pretreatment MRI in patients with prostate cancer who underwent external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for studies published on or before March 13, 2019. We included studies that evaluated pretreatment MRI as a prognostic factor in prostate cancer regarding biochemical recurrence (BCR), metastatic failure, and overall or cancer-specific mortality. Effect sizes were measured in terms of the hazard ratio (HR) and were meta-analytically pooled using the random-effects model. The quality of the studies was independently evaluated using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. Twelve studies (2205 patients) were included. All studies assessed BCR; metastasis was evaluated in three studies, and mortality was evaluated in one study. Extraprostatic extension (EPE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), large tumor size or volume, number of sextants involved, and tumor involvement of prostatic apex were significant prognostic factors of BCR (pooled HRs = 1.50-4.47). EPE, larger tumor size, greater tumor volume, presence of metastatic pelvic lymph nodes (LNs), and presence of SVI were significant risk factors for metastasis (pooled HRs = 1.12-11.96). Pelvic LN metastasis was significantly predictive of cancer-specific mortality (HR = 4.45 [95% CI, 1.30-15.23]). Several pretreatment MRI findings were significant prognostic factors in patients with prostate cancer who underwent RT.
Topics: Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Prognosis; Prostatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 31799874
DOI: 10.2214/AJR.19.21836 -
Asian Journal of Andrology 2020With the onset of a metabolic syndrome epidemic and the increasing life expectancy, erectile dysfunction (ED) has become a more common condition. As incidence and...
With the onset of a metabolic syndrome epidemic and the increasing life expectancy, erectile dysfunction (ED) has become a more common condition. As incidence and prevalence increase, the medical field is focused on providing more appropriate therapies. It is common knowledge that ED is a chronic condition that is also associated with a myriad of other disorders. Conditions such as aging, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, prostatic hypertrophy, and prostate cancer, among others, have a direct implication on the onset and progression of ED. Characterization and recognition of risk factors may help clinicians recognize and properly treat patients suffering from ED. One of the most reliable treatments for ED is penile prosthetic surgery. Since the introduction of the penile prosthesis (PP) in the early seventies, this surgical procedure has improved the lives of thousands of men, with reliable and satisfactory results. The aim of this review article is to characterize the epidemiology of men undergoing penile prosthetic surgery, with a discussion about the most common conditions involved in the development of ED, and that ultimately drive patients into electing to undergo PP placement.
Topics: Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus; Erectile Dysfunction; Humans; Hypertension; Impotence, Vasculogenic; Male; Pelvic Bones; Penile Implantation; Penile Induration; Penile Prosthesis; Penis; Prostatectomy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiation Injuries; Radiotherapy; Reoperation; Spinal Cord Injuries; Vascular Diseases; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 31793443
DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_124_19 -
PloS One 2019Growing evidence has revealed that pretreatment C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) are associated with prognosis for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Growing evidence has revealed that pretreatment C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) are associated with prognosis for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, inconsistent findings have been reported, which promote us to summarize the global predicting role of CAR for survival in RCC patients.
METHODS
Two reviewers independently retrieved the literature on EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases for eligible studies evaluating the associations of CAR with survival. Data related to the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), progress-free survival (PFS), and clinicopathological features were extracted and pooled using meta-analysis with fixed or random- effect models when applicable.
RESULTS
Eight studies including 2,829 patients were analyzed in the present study. High pretreatment CAR was associated with worse OS (pooled HR: 2.14, 95% CI = 1.64-2.79, p < 0.001) and DFS/PFS (pooled HR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.31-2.35, P < 0.001). Moreover, high CAR was correlated with performance status (≥ 1), tumor location (left), Fuhrman grade (3-4), TNM stage (III-IV), T stage (T3-4), N stage (N1), M stage (M1), tumor necrosis (yes), venous thrombus (positive), metastasis at diagnosis (yes), NLR (> median), and PLR (> median).
CONCLUSION
High pretreatment CAR is effectively predictive of worse survival in patients with RCC and could be a prognostic biomarker for those patients.
Topics: Albumins; Animals; C-Reactive Protein; Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Humans; Kidney Neoplasms; Prognosis
PubMed: 31644587
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224266 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Oct 2019ICG navigation in cancer surgery may help during pelvic lymphadenectomy.
OBJECTIVE
ICG navigation in cancer surgery may help during pelvic lymphadenectomy.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review combining the terms: bladder cancer or radical cystectomy and ICG, and prostate cancer or radical prostatectomy and ICG. We used the PRISMA guidelines recommendations. We describe the populations studied in each work, the pathological results, as well as the parameters specificity, sensitivity and predictive values.
RESULTS
In muscle-invasive bladder cancer, 4 case series analyzed the performance of lymphography with ICG. The most accepted injection method is under endoscopic vision. Several punctures are done in the submucosa and the detrusor surrounding the scar. Sentinel nodes were found in up to 92% of patients with a technique sensitivity to find metastases of 88% in the series with largest casuistry. In prostate cancer, we collected data from 11 case series. Nine of them apply transrectal or transperineal dilution immediately before surgery. Sensitivity in the detection of all adenopathies ranged between 44% and 100%. The sensitivity of the technique to know the lymph node stage ranges between 67% and 100%.
CONCLUSIONS
There is little experience of ICG-guided lymph node dissedction in bladder tumors. Endoscopic fluorophore injection allows us to find the nodes that drain the infiltrated area. However, the use of this technique is not widespread. In prostate cancer, it is a reproducible and efficient technique for staging patients with prostate cancer.
Topics: Coloring Agents; Humans; Indocyanine Green; Lymph Node Excision; Lymphatic Metastasis; Lymphography; Male; Pelvis; Prostatic Neoplasms; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
PubMed: 31579042
DOI: No ID Found -
World Journal of Gastrointestinal... Aug 2019The anorectal leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is an aggressive malignant neoplasm. Owing to the rarity of LMSs, an optimal treatment modality has yet to be determined.
BACKGROUND
The anorectal leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is an aggressive malignant neoplasm. Owing to the rarity of LMSs, an optimal treatment modality has yet to be determined.
AIM
To collect all published data on anorectal LMS characteristics, explore current treatment options, and review recent cases of postradiation LMS.
METHODS
A literature search of the PubMed electronic database was conducted using the MeSH terms "rectal neoplasms", "anus neoplasms" and "gastrointestinal neoplasms" combined with "leiomyosarcoma". The search was limited to English language and human studies. All available case reports and case series of anal or rectal LMSs that were published from the beginning of January 1996 to May 2017 were included if the diagnosis of LMS had been confirmed by histopathologic examination. Data were analyzed using simple statistics (mean, median, and standard deviation). Independent sample -test was used to compare means for continuous variables.
RESULTS
A total of 27 articles reporting on 51 cases of anorectal LMS were identified. Among these cases, 11.7% had undergone previous pelvic radiotherapy (developing LMS at 13-35 years afterwards). Anorectal LMS affected the rectum in 92.2% of the cases, and no sex-based predominance was observed. Surgical resection with negative margins remains the mainstay of treatment, which can be accomplished with wide local excision or radical resection. The local recurrence rate was higher among cases who received wide local excision (30%), as compared to radical resection (20%); however, the overall rate of metastasis was 51.61% regardless of the treatment approach. The use of neoadjuvant radiation lowers the risk of local recurrence compared to adjuvant radiotherapy, and facilitates R0 resection of the tumor. Cases treated with adjuvant chemotherapy showed better rates of distant recurrence and overall survival. Nonetheless, multidisciplinary team discussion is necessary to determine the optimal management plan whilst considering patient- and disease-related factors.
CONCLUSION
A multidisciplinary team approach, considering the underlying patient- and disease- related factors, is necessary for optimal management of these complex tumors.
PubMed: 31523383
DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v11.i8.334 -
International Journal of Radiation... Nov 2019The use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scans alone for radiation therapy treatment planning (MR-only planning) has been highlighted as one method of improving...
The use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scans alone for radiation therapy treatment planning (MR-only planning) has been highlighted as one method of improving patient outcomes. Recent technologic advances have meant that introducing MR-only planning to the clinic is becoming a reality, with several specialist radiation therapy clinics using this technique for treatment. As such, substantial efforts are being made to introduce this technique into wide-spread clinical implementation. A systematic review of publications investigating the clinical implementation of pelvic MR-only radiation therapy treatment planning was undertaken following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The Medline, Embase, Scopus, Science Direct, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science databases were searched (timespan: all years to January 2, 2019). Twenty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. The studies were grouped into the following categories: (1) MR acquisition and synthetic computed tomography generation verification, (2) MR distortion quantification and phantom development, (3) clinical validation of patient treatment positioning in an MR-only workflow, and (4) MR-only commissioning processes. Key conclusions from this review are (1) MR-only planning has been implemented clinically for prostate cancer treatments; (2) a substantial amount of work remains to translate MR-only planning into widespread clinical implementation for all pelvic sites; (3) MR scanner distortions are no longer a barrier to MR-only planning, but they must be managed appropriately; (4) MR-only-based patient positioning verification shows promise, but limited evidence is reported in the literature and further investigation is required; and (5) a number of MR-only commissioning processes have been reported, which can aid centers as they undertake local commissioning; however, this needs to be formalized in guidance from national bodies.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Patient Positioning; Pelvic Neoplasms; Phantoms, Imaging; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Reproducibility of Results; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Workflow
PubMed: 31271829
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.06.2530