Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40308506›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in oncology2025

Establishing an intraoperative, mobile CBCT-based workflow for gynecologic brachytherapy: primary experience and benefit assessment.

Andre Karius, Vratislav Strnad, Christoph Bert, Rainer Fietkau, Ricarda Merten, Claudia Schweizer

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Andre KariusDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Vratislav StrnadDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Christoph BertDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Rainer FietkauDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Ricarda Merten *Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
Claudia Schweizer *Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and purpose: In the brachytherapy of cervical cancer, creating a suitable implant based on ultrasound guidance may be impacted by imaging limitations. To validate the implant if ultrasound is not sufficient, we implemented a new workflow utilizing additional intraoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The aims of this work were to describe the newly established workflow, reflect associated (dis)advantages, and assess geometric and dosimetric benefits compared to the previous solely ultrasound-guided workflow. Materials and methods: We report the establishment of our new workflow utilizing mobile CBCT during interventions and corresponding experiences for 26 consecutive patients. Image quality was assessed by considering the applicator visualization and contrast-noise ratio (CNR) between tissues. Implant changes based on CBCT scans were analyzed with respect to the enhanced insertion depths (EIDs) of needles and their tip distances to target volume borders. Dosimetric effects were evaluated by calculating common dose-volume parameters for target volume and organs at risk (OARs) and comparing them in both a previous patient cohort and scenarios simulating sole ultrasound guidance. Implant uncertainties between intra- and postoperative imaging were analyzed using a corresponding registration as well. Results: Implementing intraoperative CBCT was associated with clinical challenges but increased safety feeling during interventions and resulted in geometric as well as dosimetric benefits. Needles could be shifted deeper into the pelvis by an EID of 14 ± 11 mm based on CBCT, associated with corresponding significant dose improvements for target volume and OARs with a mean tradeoff increase of up to 4.8 Gy. With a reasonable CNR between tissues up to 8.5 ± 3.6 and clear detectability of applicators, image quality was sufficient to fulfill intraoperative intentions. Furthermore, the CBCT scans were suitable for treatment planning purposes from a geometric uncertainty perspective. Conclusion: The implementation of intraoperative CBCT can substantially improve the quality and safety of image-guided gynecologic brachytherapy.

Indexed as

adaptive brachytherapyimage-guidanceinterventional radiotherapyintraoperative imagingmobile CT

Identifiers

PMID40308506
PMCPMC12040815

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.