Abstract
Prior studies have shown that dose-escalated radiation therapy for prostate cancer improves clinical outcomes. However, this is associated with increased rectal toxicity. Hydrogel spacer for prostate cancer therapy is an effective way of decreasing rectal toxicity in the late post-therapeutic stages. In some occasions, the gel spacer may not be placed symmetrically between the rectum and prostate. There are several forms of a malpositioned spacer, including lateral displacement, rectal wall infiltration, and prostate capsule infiltration. This manuscript is aimed at evaluating appropriately positioned and malpositioned gel spacers, primarily via magnetic resonance imaging. There are limited educational imaging guides that address what radiologists should evaluate on post-spacer placement imaging. This pictorial review will specifically evaluate post-injection pitfalls such as asymmetry, rectal wall infiltration, and subcapsular injection.
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Aaron Rohr declares that he has no conflict of interest. Kyle Werth declares that he has no conflict of interest. Xinglei Shen declares that he has no conflict of interest. Zachary Collins declares that he has no conflict of interest. Shelby Fishback declares that she has no conflict of interest. Jill Jones declares that she has no conflict of interest. Ryan Ash declares that he has no conflict of interest. Vanessa Williams declares that she has no conflict of interest.
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Rohr, A., Werth, K., Shen, X. et al. MRI findings of absorbable hydrogel spacer for prostate cancer therapy: a pictorial review. Abdom Radiol 44, 247–251 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-018-1685-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-018-1685-y