Whole-brain radiation therapy without a thermoplastic mask

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical feasibility of whole-brain radiation therapy without a thermoplastic mask. Positioning and intra-fractional motion monitoring were performed using optical surface scanning. The motion threshold was 3 mm/3 degrees. The group mean vector deviation was 1.1 mm. The roll was larger compared to pitch and rotation. Two patients out of 30 were not able to lie still. All other patients completed their treatment successfully without a mask. With a probability of success of 93%, we concluded that irradiation without a mask is a clinically feasible method. Keywords: Optical surface scanning, Real-time monitoring, Intra-fractional motion, Whole-brain radiation therapy