Longitudinal MRI study after carbon ion and photon irradiation: shorter latency time for myelopathy is not associated with differential morphological changes

Abstract Background Radiation-induced myelopathy is a severe and irreversible complication that occurs after long symptom-free latency time if the spinal cord was exposed to significant irradiation dose during tumor treatment. As carbon ions are increasingly investigated for treatment in clinical trials, their effect on normal tissue needs further investigation assure safety of patient treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-visible morphological alterations could serve as predictive markers medicinal interventions avoid side effects. Thus, MRI-visible rat high photon ion times were investigated. Methods Rats whose cords irradiated with iso-effective (n = 8) or doses well sham-treated control animals 6) underwent frequent MRI measurements until they developed radiation-induced (paresis II). MR images analyzed regularly tested neurological deficits. In addition, histological analysis performed suffering from paresis II compared controls. Results For both beam modalities, first occurred outside (bone marrow conversion, contrast agent accumulation musculature ventral dorsal cord) followed by inside (edema, syrinx, accumulation) eventually I Latency significantly shorter irradiation. Conclusions Irradiation lead 100% induced comparable fixed sequence distortions. However, at least animal model used this study, observed not suited identify will develop between occurrence too short intervene protective mitigative drugs.