Prospective intra-patient evaluation of a shoulder retraction device for radiotherapy in head and neck cancer.

Medical Dosimetry : Official Journal of the American Association of Medical Dosimetrists
Katie L NewboldChristopher M Nutting

Abstract

Irradiation of tumors in the larynx and pharynx is often technically challenging in patients with a short neck or high shoulders. Shoulder retraction devices can sometimes resolve this problem and allow irradiation via lateral beam directions. This study aimed to measure the proportion of patients who would benefit from such an approach and to quantify the magnitude of the benefit obtained. Twenty patients were studied. Simulator images were obtained before and after intervention. The additional exposure of the cervical spine was measured. Patient comfort and acceptability were assessed with a questionnaire. Improvement of exposure of the cervical spine was observed in 80% of patients. In 20%, there was either no difference or the position was worse. Shoulder retraction exposed a mean of 8.4-10.2 mm more of the cervical spine. Patients in general reported the device as comfortable. The use of a shoulder retraction device produced clinically significant improvements in exposure of the tissues of the cervical spine and neck and should be considered in patients being irradiated for tumors arising in the larynx or hypopharynx.

References

Sep 30, 1995·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·C WeltensW Van den Bogaert
Jul 1, 1997·International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics·G C BentelD M Brizel
Feb 13, 2001·Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology·C W HurkmansB J Mijnheer

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Citations

Jun 4, 2016·Oncotarget·Eun-Tae Park, Sung Kwang Park

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