Article
Accuracy, feasibility and preliminary clinical results using a real-time image-guided robotic stereotactic radiosurgery system for treatment of spinal tumors
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Published: | March 20, 2006 |
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Introduction: We here present for the first time the concept, phantom accuracy and first clinical results using a fiducial free tracking system for spinal single session high precision radiotherapy (radiosurgery).
Methods: The spine tracking system integrates with a robotic radiosurgery system (CyberKnife, Accuray, Sunnyvale, CA, USA)to eliminate the need for surgical implantation of radiographic markers, or fiducials, in the delivery of radiosurgery treatments for spinal tumors. Ten phantom accuracy End-to-End tests have been performed.25 patients (8 intraspinal,17 paraspinal) with spine tumors (80% metastases) have been treated by31 spinal single fraction radiosurgical procedures usingthe newfiducialless tracking system. 70% of the patients were treated by conventional fractionated radiotherapy before radiosurgery. In 2 cases transpedicular screw placement was done before radiosurgery. Follow-up ranged from 2 - 15 weeks. Pain relief and tumor response was evaluated after treatment.
Results: Phantom end-to-end test showed an over all mean targeting error of 0.56 mm (±0.23). All patients could be treated by the fiducial free radiosurgical procedures. Treatment was tolerated well by all patients. Setup time for patient alignment was from 2 – 45 minutes. Treatment doses varied between 13.5 – 18 Gy. The median prescription isodose was 70% (60-80%). Tumor volume ranged between 1.6 to 17 ccm. Patient tracking was also possible after transpedicular screw placement. No short term adverse events were noted. Spinal radiosurgery lead to pain relieve in all patients between 7 and 14 days after treatment. No patient showed tumor progression during the short term follow up period.
Conclusions:The new possibility of spinal radiosurgeryis a feasible, safe, accurate and reliable tool for the treatment ofspinal tumors.It offers an alternative or addition to standard treatmentconcepts.It can be performed in a single session procedureandextendsthe treatment possibilities for combined oncological treatment concepts in cases of spinal tumors.