Stereotactic body radiation therapy to the spine: contouring the cauda equina instead of the spinal cord is more practical as the organ at risk.
Osamu TanakaTakuya TaniguchiShuto NakayaKousei AdachiTakuji KiryuChiyoko MakitaMasayuki MatsuoPublished in: Reports of practical oncology and radiotherapy : journal of Greatpoland Cancer Center in Poznan and Polish Society of Radiation Oncology (2023)
A portion of the spinal fluid is also included when the spinal canal is set as the OAR. Thus, the PTV coverage rate will be poor if the tumor is in contact with the spinal canal. However, the PTV coverage rate increases if only the cauda equina is set as the OAR.