title: A NOVEL SUPPORT DEVICE FOR HEAD IMMOBILIZATION DURING RADIATION THERAPY THAT IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH CATS AND DOGS.
abstract: Repeatable head immobilization is important for minimizing positioning error during radiation therapy for veterinary patients with head neoplasms. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to describe a novel technique for head immobilization (Device II) and compare this technique with a previously described technique (Device I). Device II provided additional support by incorporating three teeth (vs. two teeth with Device I). Between 2011 and 2013, both devices were applied in clinically affected cats (Device I, n = 17; Device II, n = 11) and dogs (Device I, n = 85; Device II, n = 22) of various breeds and sizes. The following data were recorded for each included patient: variability in the angle of the skull (roll, yaw, and pitch), coordinates of the isocenter, and distance from the reference mark to the tumor. Devices I and II differed for skull angle variability during the treatment of dogs (roll, P = 0.0007; yaw, P = 0.0018; pitch, P = 0.0384) and for yaw of during the treatment of cats (P < 0.0001). In each case, Device II was superior to Device I. The distance from the reference mark to the center of the tumor was significantly decreased for Device II vs. Device I (dogs, P < 0.0001; cats, P = 0.0002). Device II also provided more accurate coordinates for the isocenter. Authors recommend the use of, Device II for future clinical patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Radiology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University College of Biosource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.affiliation: Azabu University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maruo
authors.affiliation: Azabu University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukuyama
authors.affiliation: Azabu University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinpei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawarai
authors.affiliation: Azabu University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shida
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Radiology, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Nihon University College of Biosource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0880, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakayama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D057918:Fiducial Markers; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007103:Immobilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013499:Surface Properties; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: canine; feline; head-immobilization device; radiotherapy; three-point support