MR‐guided 125I seed implantation treatment for maxillofacial malignant tumor

PURPOSE: This study assessed the therapeutic efficacy of postoperative magnetic resonance (MR)‐guided interstitial (125)I seed implantation for treatment of oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 127 patients with oral or maxillofacial malignant tumors were included in this study who received interstitial (125)I treatment after the surgery resection. Before implantation, all the patients received MR scans to assess the lesion scope, extent, and nature. (125)I implantation target regions were based on the pre‐operative imaging. (125)I seeds were delivered to target regions via puncture needles under the real‐time guidance of MR. Computed tomography (CT)or MR was performed immediately after implantation and again every 3 months later. RESULTS: After successful (125)I implantation, all patients were also examined regularly to detect tumor recurrence, lymphatic, and distant metastases. To date, CT or MR verification showed that 13/127 patients experienced tumor recurrence or lymphatic metastasis or distant metastasis. No seeds migration was observed, no serious treatment‐related complications affected patient quality of life, and no important organ (such as major cervical vessels, spinal cord, etc.) injuries were observed. CONCLUSION: Our results show that MR‐guided (125)I implantation is an effective approach to site‐specific treatment for oral and maxillofacial tumor, which could potentially reduce postoperative complications and tumor recurrence rates, increase patient survival, and improve quality of life.