title: In vivo dose perturbation effects of metallic dental alloys during head and neck irradiation with intensity modulated radiation therapy.
abstract: A patient with base of tongue squamous sell carcinoma, with significant CT artifact-inducing metallic alloy, non-removable dental restorations in both the mandible and maxilla was identified. Simultaneous with IMRT treatment, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were placed in the oral cavity. After a series of three treatments, the data from the TLDs and software calculations were analyzed. Analysis of mean in vivo TLD dosimetry reveals differentials from software predicted dose calculation that fall within acceptable dose variation limits. IMRT dose calculation software is a relatively accurate predictor of dose attenuation and augmentation due to dental alloys within the treatment volume, as measured by intra-oral thermoluminescent dosimetry. IMRT represents a safe and effective methodology to treat patients with non-removable metallic dental work who have head and neck cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Health Science Center--San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Stop 7889, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. fullercd@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: Clifton D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Sean X
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Cavanaugh
authors.forename: Tony Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Eng
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D006801:Humans; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys