PET/MRI in Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy (FSRT) for Skull Base Meningioma Recurrence: A Case Report

Introduction

Meningiomas are one of the most common primary intracranial tumors, often requiring precise imaging for effective treatment. The integration of Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET/MRI) has been instrumental in enhancing target delineation for Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy (FSRT), particularly in cases of recurrence.

For more cutting-edge medical research, visit ClinMed Case Reports Journal.

Case Overview

A 43-year-old woman presented with a recurrence of skull base meningioma (WHO Grade I) two years post-resection. Her symptoms included diplopia, visual cloudiness, proptosis, and headaches. Traditional MRI and CT imaging were used for radiotherapy planning, but due to tumor location complexities, a 68Ga-DOTATOC-PET/MRI scan was performed.

Key Findings:

• The tumor was located in the left sphenoid wing, anterior clinoid, and lateral orbital region, extending near the optic nerve.
• PET/MRI imaging expanded the defined treatment volume compared to CT and MRI alone.
• The patient underwent IMRT with a total dose of 54 Gy in 28 fractions, guided by PET/MRI.

Role of PET/MRI in Radiotherapy Planning

PET/MRI is emerging as a gold-standard imaging modality for skull base tumors, particularly in post-surgical cases where differentiating between tumor remnants and normal tissue is challenging. According to the American College of Radiology (ACR), advanced imaging techniques like PET/MRI enhance precision in oncological treatments by improving tumor visualization.

Study Implications

The use of PET/MRI in radiotherapy planning demonstrated: ✅ More accurate target volume delineation, minimizing risks to surrounding critical structures. ✅ Improved treatment precision, especially in skull base meningiomas where tumor margins are hard to define. ✅ Potential for reducing interobserver variability, leading to better treatment consistency.

Read the full study at https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.acr.1001044.

Future Prospects

While this case highlights the benefits of PET/MRI, further research is needed to establish it as a routine imaging standard in radiotherapy planning. Current evidence suggests it is most beneficial for tumors in the skull base region, where traditional imaging methods have limitations.

Conclusion

PET/MRI enhances radiotherapy precision by providing a detailed metabolic and structural assessment of meningiomas. As medical imaging evolves, integrating advanced PET tracers with MRI may set new benchmarks for radiation therapy planning.

For more case studies and groundbreaking medical research, visit ClinMed Case Reports Journal. Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This content is generated using AI assistance and should be reviewed for accuracy and compliance before considering this article and its contents as a reference. Any mishaps or grievances raised due to the reusing of this material will not be handled by the author of this article.

You may provide us with feedback in the comments section.