Respiration-induced movement of the upper abdominal organs: a pitfall for the three-dimensional conformal radiation treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Respiration-induced movement of the upper abdominal organs (pancreas, liver and kidneys) was assessed in 12 subjects using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging. The movement of each organ in the cranio-caudal, the lateral and the anterior-posterior direction was deduced from the movement of the center of gravity on two-dimensional images. This center of gravity was computed from the volume delineated on sequential 8-mm slices of both sagittal and coronal dynamic series. The largest movements were noticed in the cranio-caudal direction for pancreas and liver (23.7+/-15.9 mm and 24.4+/-16.4 mm). The kidneys showed smaller movements in the cranio-caudal direction (left kidney 16.9+/-6.7 mm and right kidney 16.1+/-7.9 mm). The movements of the different organs in the anterior-posterior and lateral directions were less pronounced. It is of the greatest importance to be aware of these movements in the planning of a conformal radiation treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Bussels
Barbara
B
Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Goethals
Laurence
L
Feron
Michel
M
Bielen
Didier
D
Dymarkowski
Steven
S
Suetens
Paul
P
Haustermans
Karin
K
D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009068:Movement; D010179:Pancreas / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods*; D012119:Respiration; D013997:Time Factors