Inter-patient variations of radiation-induced normal-tissue changes in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced hepatic MRI scans during fractionated proton therapy.

Background And Purpose: Previous MRI studies have shown a substantial decrease in normal-tissue uptake of a hepatobiliary-directed contrast agent 6-9 weeks after liver irradiation. In this prospective clinical study, we investigated whether this effect is detectable during the course of proton therapy.

Material And Methods: Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI was performed twice during hypo-fractionated proton therapy of liver lesions in 9 patients (plus two patients with only one scan available).