Clinical and dosimetric predictors of radiation-induced rhinosinusitis following VMAT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective study

Xiaomin Bao; Yan Wang; Bin Li; Liang Peng; Bin Ouyang; Chew Lip Ng; Yongshi Zhuo; Qiumin Wang; Chunwei Li; Jian Li

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23554

Clinical and dosimetric predictors of radiation-induced rhinosinusitis following VMAT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective study

Heliyon. 2023 Dec 12;10(1):e23554. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23554. eCollection 2024 Jan 15.

Authors

Xiaomin Bao¹, Yan Wang², Bin Li³, Liang Peng¹, Bin Ouyang², Chew Lip Ng⁴, Yongshi Zhuo¹, Qiumin Wang¹, Chunwei Li¹, Jian Li^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China.
² Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China.
³ Clinical Trials Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, National University Health System, Singapore.
⁵ Guangxi Hospital Division of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangxi, Nanning, China.

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate the clinical and dosimetric factors associated with radiation-induced rhinosinusitis, and further elucidate the optimal dose-volume constraints for nasopharyngeal cancer patients who underwent volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT).

Methods: A retrospective review of 196 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients who underwent definitive VMAT between August 2018 and May 2021 was conducted. Both clinical and dose-volume histogram (DVH) data of NPC patients without rhinosinusitis at baseline were selected for analysis.

Results: The cumulative incidence of post-RT rhinosinusitis at the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months, and >1 year were 29.6 %, 41.3 %, 42.9 %, and 45.4 %, and 47.4 %, respectively. Nasal irrigation was negatively associated with post-RT rhinosinusitis (p < 0.001). Higher cumulative incidences of maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis were associated with V70 > 1.16 % and >1.00 %, respectively (p = 0.027 and p = 0.002). Sphenoid sinusitis was more frequent when Dmax(maxillary sinus) exceeded 69.2Gy (p = 0.005).

Conclusions: Regular nasal irrigation may reduce the development of rhinosinusitis. Dose-volume constraints of V70 and Dmax to the maxillary sinus are suggested for VMAT planning. Patients exceeding these thresholds should be closely monitored and potentially offered preventative interventions within 3-6 months post-RT.

Keywords: Dosimetric predictors; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Radiation-induced rhinosinusitis; Volumetric-modulated arc therapy.