ABSTRACT
Established quantitative imaging approaches to assess radiotherapy (RT) response have been explored for both tumors and normal tissues, but radiomics has primarily been exploited for tumors only. Quantitative imaging methods established for tumor response assessment have been explored to a much lesser degree for normal tissue toxicity. The use of quantitative and standardized imaging features to objectively measure normal tissue toxicity due to radiation therapy is likely to be a rewarding endeavour. Imaging with and without gustatory stimulation is used to measure the salivary function within the parotid glands, whereas submandibular salivary gland function is primarily measured with a non-stimulated approach. Chronic kidney injuries typically involve malignant hypertension, elevated creatine levels, anemia and renal failure, and have commonly been quantified by imaging using single-photon emission computed tomography with 99mTc. Radiomics from conventional imaging could have potential for poorly understood RT-induced injuries.
