Stefan Haneder1, Judit Boda-Heggemann2, Simon Konstandin3, Lothar R. Schad3, Frederik Wenz2, Frank Lohr2, Stefan O. Schoenberg1, Henrik J. Michaely1
1Institute of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany; 2Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Mannheim, Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany; 3Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany
Conventional 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) after gastric cancer results in ablative doses to the cranial part of the left kidney, while image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IG-IMRT) provides improved kidney sparing. Functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0T including BOLD, DWI and 23Na-imaging was used to evaluate renal status after radiotherapy with 3D-CRT or IG-IMRT. Marked morphological/functional effects were observed in high-dose areas (3DCRT) while no alteration in kidney function was observed in IG-IMRT patients who received lower doses of radiation. Functional MRI at 3.0T seems feasible for investigation of post-radiotherapeutic renal changes.