Skin fibroblasts in vitro radiosensitivity can predict for late complications following AVM radiosurgery.

Background And Purpose: A small proportion of patients undergoing radiotherapy display heightened normal tissue reactions. We have set out to determine whether this sensitivity is genetic in nature and can be assessed using an in vitro skin fibroblast assay in order to predict and avoid excessive normal tissue complications.

Patients And Methods: In this study we compared five arteriovenous malformation (AVM) patients who were treated with radiotherapy and showed severe normal tissue reactions (necrosis) to two AVM patients who showed normal reactions.