Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41167811›Full record

ArticleJournal of applied clinical medical physics2025

Practical considerations for handling implants in proton therapy.

Gloria Vilches-Freixas, Vicki Trier Taasti, Ilaria Rinaldi, Mirko Unipan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of applied clinical medical physics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing 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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Determination of HU override for gold fiducial markers in proton therapy.Journal of applied clinical medical physics · 2026
    Article
  3. Practical considerations for handling implants in proton therapy.Journal of applied clinical medical physics · 2025
    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

4 authors.

Gloria Vilches-FreixasDepartment of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5478-9389
Vicki Trier TaastiDepartment of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4588-9769
Ilaria RinaldiDepartment of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2857-0852
Mirko UnipanDepartment of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4965-290X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCT simulation scan is typically used for proton therapy planning. However, non-tissue-like materials are often not correctly characterized by the CT conversion curve, and medical implants of high-Z materials, such as metals, can introduce artifacts in CT images. These can negatively affect the accuracy of dose calculations, ultimately impacting both treatment planning and dose delivery. PURPOSE: To present our clinical procedures for managing implants in patients treated with proton therapy.

methodsWe categorized implants into two groups-'small' and 'large'-based on their size relative to the CT voxel and their effect on image quality. To assess the influence of different implants on dose calculations, we conducted dose evaluations in a few patients with different implants. Our key considerations included the selection of appropriate CT window-level settings for implant contouring, the necessity of performing material overrides weighing the tradeoff between the time spent on contouring and the impact on the dose distribution, as well as artifact mitigation strategies. The proposed procedures were derived from these dose evaluations and our clinical experience.

resultsFor small implants, made of titanium or tantalum, we can rely on our CT conversion curves, without requiring material overrides. Conversely, larger implants, such as silicone breast implants, metal hip prostheses, or air pockets, require material overrides to ensure an accurate representation of stopping-power ratios and to minimize dose discrepancies. The general rule is to avoid proton beams passing through metal implants when possible.

conclusionsWe have presented a comprehensive and standardized strategy for managing implants in our routine clinical practice. These strategies have been specifically developed for our clinical setup based on pragmatic considerations and may not be universally applicable. However, we believe they can offer valuable insights for other proton therapy centers facing similar challenges and looking to enhance their protocols for implant management.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsProstheses and ImplantsProton TherapyRadiotherapy Planning, Computer-AssistedTomography, X-Ray ComputedArtifactsHumansOrgans at RiskPhantoms, ImagingRadiotherapy DosageRadiotherapy, Intensity-Modulatedclinical instructionsCT image artifactsmetal implantsproton therapy

Identifiers

PMID41167811
PMCPMC12575054

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Registered trials

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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.