Purpose External-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is the predominant method for localized brain radiotherapy (LBRT) after resection of brain metastases (BM). Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with 50-kV x‑rays is an alternative way to focally irradiate the resection cavity after BM surgery, with the option of shortening the overall treatment time and limiting normal tissue irradiation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of all patients who underwent neurosurgical resection of BM and 50-kV x‑ray IORT between 2013 and 2020 at Augsburg University Medical Center. Results We identified 40 patients with 44 resected BM treated with 50-kV x‑ray IORT. Median diameter of the resected metastases was 2.8 cm (range 1.5–5.9 cm). Median applied dose was 20 Gy. All patients received standardized follow-up (FU) including 3‑monthly MRI of the brain. Mean FU was 14.4 months, with a median MRI FU for alive patients of 12.2 months. Median overall survival (OS) of all treated patients was 26.4 months (estimated 1‑year OS 61.6%). The observed local control (LC) rate of the resection cavity was 88.6% (estimated 1‑year LC 84.3%). Distant brain control (DC) was 47.5% (estimated 1‑year DC 33.5%). Only 25% of all patients needed WBI in the further course of disease. The observed radionecrosis rate was 2.5%. Conclusion IORT with 50-kV x‑rays is a safe and appealing way to apply LBRT after neurosurgical resection of BM, with low toxicity and excellent LC. Close MRI FU is paramount to detect distant brain failure (DBF) early.

Purpose External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is the predominant method for localized brain radiotherapy (LBRT) after resection of brain metastases (BM). Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with 50kV x-rays is an alternative way to irradiate the resection cavity focally after BM surgery with the option to shorten the overall treatment time and limit normal tissue irradiation.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of all patients who underwent neurosurgical resection of BM and 50kV x-ray IORT between 2013 and 2020 at Augsburg University Medical Center.Results We identified 40 patients with 44 resected BM treated with 50kV x-ray IORT. Median diameter of the resected metastases was 2.8 cm (range 1.5–5.9 cm). Median applied dose was 20 Gy. All patients received standardized follow-up (FU) including 3-monthly MRI of the brain. Mean FU was 14.4 months, with a median MRI FU for patients alive of 12.2 months. Median overall survival (OS) of all treated patients was 26.4 months (estimated 1-year OS 61.6%). The observed local control (LC) rate of the resection cavity was 88.6% (estimated 1-year LC 84.3%). Distant brain control (DC) was 47.5% (estimated 1-year DC 33.5%). Only 25% of all patients needed WBI in the further course of disease. The observed radionecrosis rate was 2.5%.Conclusion IORT with 50kV x-rays is a safe and appealing way to apply LBRT after neurosurgical resection of BM with low toxicity and excellent LC. Close MRI FU is paramount to detect distant brain failure (DBF) early.

PCEA in comparison to PCA after major abdominal surgery provides superior analgesia with comparable side effects at approximately 80% higher costs.

Purpose Does focal cavity radiotherapy after resection of brain metastasis “spare” whole-brain radiotherapy, which is associated with toxicity for patients, through the complete course of their disease without compromising long-term local control of the brain? Methods We retrospectively analyzed outcomes of patients who underwent adjuvant focal cavity radiotherapy between 2014 and 2021 at our center. Results A total of 83 patients with 86 resected brain metastases were analyzed. 64% had singular, 36% two to four brain metastases. In cases with multiple metastases, omitted lesions were treated with radiosurgery. Median follow-up was 7.3 months (range 0–71.2 months), 1‑year overall survival rate was 57.8% (95% CI 44.9–68.8%). Radiotherapy was administered with a median biologically effective dose (α/β 10) surrounding the planning target volume of 48 Gy (range 23.4–60 Gy). Estimated 1‑year local control rate was 82.7% (95% CI 67.7–91.2%), estimated 1‑year distant brain control rate was 55.7% (95% CI 40.5–68.4%), estimated 1‑year leptomeningeal disease rate was 16.0% (95% CI 7.3–32.9%). Eleven distant brain recurrences could be salvaged with radiosurgery. In the further course of disease, 14 patients (17%) developed disseminated metastatic disease in the brain. Estimated 1‑year free of whole-brain radiotherapy rate was 72.3% (95% CI 57.1–82.9%). All applied treatments led to an estimated 1‑year neuro-control rate of 79.1% (95% CI 65.0–88.0%), estimated 1‑year radionecrosis rate was 23% (95% CI 12.4–40.5%). Conclusion In our single-center study, focal cavity radiotherapy was associated with high local control. In three out of four patients, whole-brain radiotherapy could be avoided in the complete course of disease, using radiosurgery as salvage approach without compromising neuro-control.

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