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Polyethylene glycol-based gels for treatment of prostate cancer: pictorial review of normal placement and complications

Abstract

Rectal spacers are commonly used in the radiotherapy for prostate cancers, serving as a means to protect the rectum and surrounding structures from radiation toxicity. Polyethylene Glycol-Based Gels (SpaceOAR ™ and Space-OAR Vue™, Boston Scientific) are the most commonly used rectal spacers. Given their increasingly widespread use and the relative paucity of radiology literature on this topic, it is imperative for the radiologist to recognize both the normal and abnormal placement of these polyethylene glycol-based rectal spacers, particularly as the latter may be associated with suboptimal therapy and/or complications.

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Correspondence to Mahan Mathur.

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Mahan Mathur, Daniella Asch, and Gary Israel declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Mathur, M., Asch, D. & Israel, G. Polyethylene glycol-based gels for treatment of prostate cancer: pictorial review of normal placement and complications. Abdom Radiol 47, 3847–3854 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-022-03630-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-022-03630-1

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