CT Measures of Bone Mineral Density and Muscle Mass Can Be Used to Predict Noncancer Death in Men with Prostate Cancer.

Purpose To determine if computed tomographic (CT) metrics of bone mineral density and muscle mass can improve the prediction of noncancer death in men with localized prostate cancer. Materials and Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained, with waiver of informed consent. All patients who underwent radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer between 2001 and 2012 with height, weight, and past medical history documented and who underwent CT that included the L4-5 vertebral interspace were included. On a single axial CT section obtained at the mid-L5 level, the mean CT attenuation of the trabecular bone of the L5 vertebral body (L5HU) was measured. The height-normalized psoas cross-sectional area (PsoasL4-5) was measured on a single CT section obtained at the L4-5 vertebral interface. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess effects on noncancer death. By using parameter estimates from an adjusted model, a prognostic index for prediction of noncancer death was generated and compared with age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) by using the Harrell c statistic. Results Six hundred fifty-three men met the inclusion criteria. Prostate cancer risk grouping, androgen deprivation, race, age-adjusted CCI, L5HU, and PsoasL4-5 were included in a multivariable model. Age-adjusted CCI (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.36, P < .001), L5HU (HR = 2.88 for L5HU < 105 HU, HR = 1.42 for 105 HU ≤ L5HU ≤ 150 HU, P < .001), PsoasL4-5 (HR = 1.95 for PsoasL4-5 < 7.5 cm2/m2, P = .003), and race (HR = 1.68 for African American race, HR = 1.77 for other nonwhite race, P = .019) were independent predictors of noncancer death. The prognostic index yielded a c value of 0.747 for the prediction of noncancer death versus 0.718 for age-adjusted CCI alone. Conclusion L5HU and PsoasL4-5, which are surrogates for bone mineral density and muscle mass, respectively, were independent predictors of noncancer death. The prognostic index that incorporated these measures with the CCI was associated with improved accuracy for prediction of noncancer death. © RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Parent vessel occlusion for treatment of cerebral aneurysms: Is there still an indication? A series of 17 patients.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Flow diversion has allowed cerebrovascular neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists to treat complex, large aneurysms, previously treated with trapping, bypass, and/or parent vessel sacrifice. However, a minority of aneurysms remain that cannot be treated endovascularly, and microsurgical treatment is too dangerous. However, balloon test occlusion (macro and micro), micro WADA testing, ICG, intra-angiography and intra-operative monitoring are all available to clinically test the hypothesis that vessel sacrifice is safe. We describe a dual-institution series of aneurysms successfully treated with parent vessel occlusion (PVO). MATERIALS/METHODS: Prospectively collected databases of all endovascular and open cerebrovascular cases performed at Maine Medical Center and Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 2011 to 2013 were screened for patients treated with primary vessel sacrifice. A total of 817 patients were screened and 17 patients were identified who underwent parent vessel sacrifice as primary treatment. RESULTS: All 17 patients primarily treated with PVO are described below. Nine patients presented with SAH, and 3/17 involved anterior circulation. Complete occlusion was achieved in 15/17 patients. In the remaining 2 patients, significant reduction in the aneurysm occurred. Modified Rankin Score (mRS) of 0, signifying complete independence, was achieved for 16/17 patients. One patient died due to an extracranial process. CONCLUSIONS: Parent vessel sacrifice remains a viable and durable solution in select ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Many adjuncts are available to aid in the decision making. In this small series, patients naturally divided into vertebral dissecting aneurysms, giant aneurysms and small distal aneurysms. Outcomes were favorable in this highly selected group.

Pelvic Radiotherapy versus Radical Prostatectomy with Limited Lymph Node Sampling for High-Grade Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

Purpose. To compare oncologic outcomes for patients with Gleason score (GS) ≥ 8 prostate adenocarcinoma treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) versus external beam radiotherapy combined with androgen deprivation (RT + ADT). Methods. Between 2001 and 2014, 121 patients with GS ≥ 8 were treated at our institution via RT + ADT (n = 71) or RP (n = 50) with ≥ 1 year of biochemical follow-up. Endpoints included biochemical failure (BF), distant metastasis, and initiation of salvage ADT. Results. The RT + ADT group was older, had higher biopsy GS, and had greater risk of lymph node involvement. All other pretreatment characteristics were similar between groups. Mean number of lymph nodes (LNs) sampled for patients undergoing RP was 8.2 (±6.18). Mean biochemical follow-up for all patients was 61 months. Five-year estimates of BF for the RT + ADT and RP groups were 7.2% versus 42.3%, (p < 0.001). The RT + ADT group also had lower rates of distant metastasis (2% versus 7.8%) and salvage ADT (8% versus 33.8%). Conclusion. In this analysis, RT + ADT was associated with improved biochemical and metastatic control when compared to RP with limited LN sampling. How RT + ADT compares with more aggressive lymphadenectomy, as is currently our institutional standard, remains an important unanswered question.

Increased radiation dose heterogeneity within the prostate predisposes to urethral strictures in patients receiving moderately hypofractionated prostate radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether radiation dose inhomogeneity within the prostate predisposes to late urinary strictures after moderately hypofractionated definitive external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred seventy-three men with clinically localized prostate cancer met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. All patients received 70 Gy to the prostate delivered over 28 fractions, had at least 2 years of clinical follow-up, and had dose-volume histogram information available for review. The endpoint of this study was the development of a urethral stricture that required a procedural intervention such as urethral dilation or suprapubic catheterization. Dosimetric parameters were evaluated for effect on the rate of urethral stricture formation by univariate Cox proportional hazards modeling. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 49.5 months (range, 24.6-108 months). At 5 years, the actuarial rate of intervention for urethral strictures across all patients was 4.9%. The maximum point dose within the prostate (P = .034, hazard ratio = 1.006) and the mean prostate dose (P = .039, hazard ratio = 1.004) were the only parameters predictive of urethral stricture formation. All patients who developed a urethral stricture were treated by a plan with a maximum prostate dose of >75 Gy (median, 77.67 Gy). CONCLUSIONS: For patients receiving moderately hypofractionated prostate radiation therapy over 28 fractions, a maximum point dose of 75 Gy within the prostate was associated with an increased probability of developing a urethral stricture that required procedural intervention. The hypothesis that hypofractionation increases susceptibility to toxicity from heterogeneity within the prostate should be confirmed by analyzing data from randomized trials with a conventionally fractionated control arm for comparison.

Prospective series of two hours supine rest after 4fr sheath-based diagnostic cerebral angiography: Outcomes, productivity and cost.

There is no standard of care for catheter size or post-procedure supine time in cerebral angiography. Catheter sizes range from 4-Fr to 6-Fr with supine times ranging from two to over six hours. The objective of our study was to establish the efficacy, safety, and cost savings of two-hour supine time after 4-Fr elective cerebral angiography. A prospective, single arm study was performed on 107 patients undergoing elective cerebral angiography. All cerebral angiograms were performed with a 4-Fr sheath-based system without closure devices. Ten minutes of manual compression was applied to the femoral access site, with further compression held as clinically indicated. Patients were then monitored in a nursing unit for two hours supine and subsequently mobilized. Nursing discretion was allowed for earlier mobilization. Patients were called the next day to assess delayed hematoma and bleeding. Estimates of cost savings and productivity increases are provided. All patients ambulated in two hours or less. There were no strokes or vessel dissections. Five patients (4.7%) experienced a palpable hematoma, three patients (2.8%) experienced bleeding immediately following the procedure requiring further compression, and one patient (0.9%) experienced minor groin oozing at home. No patient required transfusion, thrombin injection, or endovascular/surgical management of a groin complication. A two-hour post-procedure supine time resulted in cost savings of $952 per angiogram and a total of $101,864. 4-Fr sheath based cerebral angiography with two-hour post-procedure supine time is safe and effective, and allows for a considerable increase in patient satisfaction, cost savings and productivity.

Endovascular reconstruction of vertebral artery occlusion prior to basilar thrombectomy in a series of six patients presenting with acute symptomatic basilar thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE: Symptomatic acute basilar thrombosis is associated with a high mortality rate. Aggressive endovascular management has led to survival rates of 35-50%. We report the largest series of endovascular reconstruction of occluded dominant vertebral arteries prior to basilar thrombectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective database since August 2010 of all neuroendovascular interventions was mined for patients undergoing basilar artery thrombolysis from which a group with vertebral artery reconstruction was selected. Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed for relevant clinical, technical, and outcome data. RESULTS: From August 2010 to September 2012, six patients were identified who underwent vertebral reconstruction prior to basilar thrombectomy. Patients ranged in age from 42 to 57 years (mean 51 years). Mean time from symptoms until recanalization was approximately 6 h. Angiographic Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction IIB reconstitution of the basilar trunk was achieved in all cases. There were no technical complications. Two patients had care withdrawn secondary to massive completed brainstem infarction and poor neurological status post intervention. Three patients are now independent at 12, 14, and 31 months, respectively. One patient, after a follow-up of only 8 months, has achieved a modified Rankin Scale score of 3. CONCLUSIONS: Complete vertebral occlusion below a basilar thrombus can be recanalized prior to thrombectomy. In this case series, 100% of the acutely occluded vertebral arteries could be opened using either anterograde or retrograde access. However, basilar thrombosis continues to be a devastating illness, with one-third of the patients in this series dying of progressive infarction despite angiographic patency of the large conduit vessels with technical complications.

Reduced radiation tolerance of penile structures associated with dose-escalated hypofractionated prostate radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy (RT) on sexual function in patients treated for localized prostate cancer, and also to determine the effect of radiation dose to the penile bulb or crura of the corpus cavernosum on sexual function outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients treated with hypofractionated RT without androgen deprivation were prescribed 67.6-70.2 Gy to the prostate, delivered in 26-28 fractions. The primary endpoint was erectile dysfunction (ED) category based on the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) score closest to 2 years from RT. The penile bulb and crura were contoured and mean radiation dose calculated for each structure. RESULTS: The mean pretreatment SHIM score was 19.8, and the mean posttreatment SHIM score was 15.1. The ED category was decreased by ≥ 2 in 50% of patients with a mean penile bulb of >20 Gy compared with that in 9% of patients with a mean penile bulb dose of ≤ 20 Gy (P = .003). Mean dose to the crura was highly correlated with mean dose to the penile bulb (Pearson correlation = 0.842; P <.001) but did not reach statistical significance as a predictor of ED after radiation. CONCLUSION: Radiation dose to the penile bulb is predictive of posttreatment ED in patients treated with dose-escalated hypofractionated prostate RT. The cutpoint at which this effect was observed with this treatment is substantially lower than the previous reports.

Different rectal toxicity tolerance with and without simultaneous conventionally-fractionated pelvic lymph node treatment in patients receiving hypofractionated prostate radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate added morbidity associated with the addition of pelvic elective nodal irradiation (ENI) to hypofractionated radiotherapy to the prostate. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two-hundred twelve patients, treated with hypofractionated radiotherapy to the prostate between 2004 and 2011, met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. All patients received 70 Gy to the prostate delivered over 28 fractions and 103 (49%) received ENI consisting of 50.4 Gy to the pelvic lymphatics delivered simultaneously in 1.8 Gy fractions. The mean dose-volume histograms were compared between the two subgroups defined by use of ENI, and various dose-volume parameters were analyzed for effect on late lower gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity. RESULTS: Acute grade 2 lower GI toxicity occurred in 38 (37%) patients receiving ENI versus 19 (17%) in those who did not (p = 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of grade ≥ 2 lower GI toxicity at 3 years was 15.3% for patients receiving ENI versus 5.3% for those who did not (p = 0.026). Each rectal isodose volume was increased for patients receiving ENI up to 50 Gy (p ≤ 0.021 for each 5 Gy increment). Across all patients, the absolute V70 of the rectum was the only predictor of late GI toxicity. When subgroups, defined by the use of ENI, were analyzed separately, rectal V70 was only predictive of late GI toxicity for patients who received ENI. For patients receiving ENI, V70 > 3 cc was associated with an increased risk of late GI events. CONCLUSIONS: Elective nodal irradiation increases the rates of acute and late GI toxicity when delivered simultaneously with hypofractioanted prostate radiotherapy. The use of ENI appears to sensitize the rectum to hot spots, therefore we recommend added caution to minimize the volume of rectum receiving 100% of the prescription dose in these patients.