A new, simple method of making a spacer in interstitial brachytherapy for mobile tongue cancer.
OBJECTIVE
This article demonstrates a new method of making a spacer that increases the distance between the mandible and implanted radioactive sources in interstitial brachytherapy for patients with mobile tongue cancer.


METHODS
Fifty-three patients with mobile tongue cancer underwent interstitial brachytherapy with spacers made by this new technique.


RESULTS
Our spacer is not difficult to create or to use. The spacer was made from a plastic splint by using thermoforming techniques and quick self-curing resin, which did not need waxing, wiring, or casting. The surface of the spacer, which comes in contact with the tongue, is smooth because it is covered with tissue-conditioning material. There were no complaints of pain from the patients. Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible developed in only 1 (1.9%) of these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This spacer is simple to make and prevented osteoradionecrosis.
Yuasa
K
K
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kawazu
T
T
Morita
M
M
Uehara
S
S
Kunitake
N
N
Kanda
S
S
D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011883:Radium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D013165:Splints; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D011883:Radium