Hui Andrew, Abi-Hanna David, Rae Robert, Delaney Geoff
Department of Radiation Oncology, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Australas Radiol. 2002 Mar;46(1):111-4. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1673.2001.01007.x.
This paper describes the technique of placing endoscopic mucosal clips to localize oesophageal carcinoma and hence facilitate radiotherapy planning. This technique has been used on three patients in our centre. One was treated radically with external beam radiotherapy and two were treated palliatively (retreatment) with intraluminal brachytherapy. Mucosal hemoclips were placed at the time of endoscopy to indicate the superior and inferior extent of the tumour. The clips provided a radiologically-recognisable marker of the tumour extent and were visible on simulation films or planning CT scans. The radiation portal included the tumour as demarcated by the clips with an adequate margin. There were no complications related to the placement of the clips. All patients completed the radiotherapy course as planned.