PET imaging aids in better target volume delineation over MRI in meningioma: Study

USA: In a new study conducted by Haley K.Perlow and team it was shown that 68Ga-DOTATATE PET imaging may assist radiation oncologists in creating more accurate radiation therapy volumes by detecting undiagnosed regions of illness that are not seen on MRI. The findings of this study were published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics.

MRI contrast augmented images have typically been used to determine residual tumors in radiation therapy planning for meningiomas. However, for individuals with a meningioma at the skull base, sagittal sinus, or after resection, determining the gross tumor volume may be challenging. In certain cases, advanced PET imaging with 68Ga-DOTATATE PET, which has been demonstrated to be more precise than MRI imaging, can be employed for target volume delineation. The researchers believe that the 68Ga-DOTATATE PET scan-based therapeutic approach will result in lesser radiation volumes and will detect more regions of illness than conventional MRI alone.

This study's data evaluated de-identified, retrospective, and blinded gross tumor volume (GTV) contour delineation with seven central nervous system (CNS) specialists for 25 meningioma patients who received both a 68Ga-DOTATATE PET and an MRI for radiation treatment planning. Each physician contoured the MRI and PET in a non-sequential manner for each patient.

The findings of this study were as follows: