Low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration: results from an experienced high-volume center

ObjectivesTo evaluate the incidence and degree of rectal wall infiltration (RWI) of spacer gel used during prostate radiotherapy among two practitioners experienced in using rectal spacers.Materials and methodsConsecutive patients with prostate cancer who received prostate radiotherapy after hydroge...

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Main Authors: Sungmin Woo, Anton S. Becker, Aaron E. Katz, Angela Tong, Hebert A. Vargas, David J. Byun, Jonathan W. Lischalk, Jonathan A. Haas, Michael J. Zelefsky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1563015/full
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author Sungmin Woo
Anton S. Becker
Aaron E. Katz
Angela Tong
Hebert A. Vargas
David J. Byun
Jonathan W. Lischalk
Jonathan A. Haas
Michael J. Zelefsky
author_facet Sungmin Woo
Anton S. Becker
Aaron E. Katz
Angela Tong
Hebert A. Vargas
David J. Byun
Jonathan W. Lischalk
Jonathan A. Haas
Michael J. Zelefsky
author_sort Sungmin Woo
collection DOAJ
description ObjectivesTo evaluate the incidence and degree of rectal wall infiltration (RWI) of spacer gel used during prostate radiotherapy among two practitioners experienced in using rectal spacers.Materials and methodsConsecutive patients with prostate cancer who received prostate radiotherapy after hydrogel rectal spacer insertion in August 2023–August 2024 by two experienced practitioners were retrospectively included. Post-implant magnetic resonance imaging examinations were evaluated by two radiologists for RWI: 0 (no abnormality), 1 (rectal wall edema), 2 (superficial RWI), and 3 (deep RWI). Scores 2–3 were considered positive for RWI and their location and degree of RWI (radial, longitudinal, and circumferential) were also categorized. Inter-reader agreement was assessed with Cohen’s Kappa.Results215 men were included. Agreement was substantial between the radiologists for RWI scores (Kappa, 0.697; 95% confidence interval, 0.594-0.800). RWI scores were 0 in 80.5% (173/215), 1 in 7.9% (17/215), 2 in 10.7% (23/215), and, 3 in 0.9% (2/215) of the men. Altogether, RWI was present (scores 2–3) in 11.6% (25/215), most commonly in the mid-gland and apex with median radial, longitudinal, and circumferential involvement of 3.2 mm, 8.6 mm, and 11.5%. None of these patients demonstrated any significant rectal toxicity.ConclusionRWI was very uncommon for experienced practitioners. The degree of RWI was focal and not associated with increased complications.
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spelling doaj-art-d8a4aa398205413a8ac55f16b97db9c92025-08-20T03:00:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-03-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15630151563015Low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration: results from an experienced high-volume centerSungmin Woo0Anton S. Becker1Aaron E. Katz2Angela Tong3Hebert A. Vargas4David J. Byun5Jonathan W. Lischalk6Jonathan A. Haas7Michael J. Zelefsky8Department of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Urology, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY, United StatesDepartment of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Radiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center at New York University Langone Hospital-Long Island, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center at New York University Langone Hospital-Long Island, Mineola, NY, United StatesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United StatesObjectivesTo evaluate the incidence and degree of rectal wall infiltration (RWI) of spacer gel used during prostate radiotherapy among two practitioners experienced in using rectal spacers.Materials and methodsConsecutive patients with prostate cancer who received prostate radiotherapy after hydrogel rectal spacer insertion in August 2023–August 2024 by two experienced practitioners were retrospectively included. Post-implant magnetic resonance imaging examinations were evaluated by two radiologists for RWI: 0 (no abnormality), 1 (rectal wall edema), 2 (superficial RWI), and 3 (deep RWI). Scores 2–3 were considered positive for RWI and their location and degree of RWI (radial, longitudinal, and circumferential) were also categorized. Inter-reader agreement was assessed with Cohen’s Kappa.Results215 men were included. Agreement was substantial between the radiologists for RWI scores (Kappa, 0.697; 95% confidence interval, 0.594-0.800). RWI scores were 0 in 80.5% (173/215), 1 in 7.9% (17/215), 2 in 10.7% (23/215), and, 3 in 0.9% (2/215) of the men. Altogether, RWI was present (scores 2–3) in 11.6% (25/215), most commonly in the mid-gland and apex with median radial, longitudinal, and circumferential involvement of 3.2 mm, 8.6 mm, and 11.5%. None of these patients demonstrated any significant rectal toxicity.ConclusionRWI was very uncommon for experienced practitioners. The degree of RWI was focal and not associated with increased complications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1563015/fullhydrogelmagnetic resonance imagingradiotherapyspacerrectal wall infiltration
spellingShingle Sungmin Woo
Anton S. Becker
Aaron E. Katz
Angela Tong
Hebert A. Vargas
David J. Byun
Jonathan W. Lischalk
Jonathan A. Haas
Michael J. Zelefsky
Low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration: results from an experienced high-volume center
Frontiers in Oncology
hydrogel
magnetic resonance imaging
radiotherapy
spacer
rectal wall infiltration
title Low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration: results from an experienced high-volume center
title_full Low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration: results from an experienced high-volume center
title_fullStr Low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration: results from an experienced high-volume center
title_full_unstemmed Low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration: results from an experienced high-volume center
title_short Low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration: results from an experienced high-volume center
title_sort low incidence of significant hydrogel spacer rectal wall infiltration results from an experienced high volume center
topic hydrogel
magnetic resonance imaging
radiotherapy
spacer
rectal wall infiltration
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1563015/full
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