title: Skin-sparing reduction effects of thermoplastics used for patient immobilization in head and neck radiotherapy.
abstract: Skin-sparing benefits derived from the use of megavoltage photon beams can be strongly reduced when filters are inserted between the source and the patient. The use of plastic masks for immobilizing the patient is the most important cause of this reduction in head and neck treatments. The influence of thermoplastics, commercially available for patient immobilization systems (Orfit Raycast (Luxilon Ind. Co.), Posicast (Sinmed bv) and Optimold (WFR Aquaplast Corp.)), on the patient skin dose value has been investigated by using an NE2534 'Markus' chamber. Indicative measurements with moulded masks (carried out with 2-mm Orfit and 3.2-mm Optimold layers) show significant differences between masks moulded with the two thermoplastics.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Fisica Sanitaria, Istituto Scientifico-Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fiorino
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Vecchio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fusca
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Longobardi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Signorotto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calandrino
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D004867:Equipment Design; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008397:Masks; D008961:Models, Structural; D010969:Plastics; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D010969:Plastics