• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2023

In head and neck radiation therapy, the thermoplastic immobilization mask used for fixing the patient's posture and reproducibility causes scattered rays by being in close contact with the skin. To investigate the increase in skin dose due to the scattered rays generated from the immobilization mask, we evaluated dose reduction by decreasing contact between face skin and immobilization mask in computerized radiotherapy planning system with CT scanned images. In addition, to confirm the reproducibility problem of the setup due to the decrease in the cover area of immobilizing, the difference of each setup was confirmed using DRR and CT images. As the mask area covered for immobilizing was reduced, the dose on the skin surface significantly decreased, and it was confirmed that there was no significant difference in reproducibility even if the entire face was not covered and fixed.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2012

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the influence of aquaplastic mask which is used for the radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer on patient positioning by analyzing the results of 2D/2D matching with the use of Exactrac 6D couch system. Materials and Methods: 2D/2D matching-based Image guidance was performed with the use of Exactrac 6D couch system on a total of 14 patients with head and neck cancer who received radiotherapy at this hospital in a period from June 2010 to June 2011. The adjusted 6D values obtained after the image guidance were classified into values related with patients and values not related with patients as to the correlation between the results. Results: In the analysis of the relation of each adjusted value to patients, the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of longitudinal and pitch direction was 0.76, of longitudinal and yaw direction was 0.48, and of pitch and yaw direction was 0.42 although the coefficient of determination for above factors was 0.03 or less when the dependency of patients was excluded. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that intrinsic factors of aquaplastic mask had influence on the immobilization of patients by aquaplastic mask although various factors related with patients had influence on the immobilization of patients. It is believed that if these factors are adjusted, the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer can be more accurate.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.476-481
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• 2023

Objective : The latest version of the Leksell Gamma Knife Icon^TM allows for mask- and frame-based fixation. Although mask fixation provides fractionated treatment and immobilization using a noninvasive method, it is not free from collision. The authors investigated the collision problem with a modified mask fixation method. Methods : This study presents a case of two meningiomas in the frontal area, where a collision occurs in the occipital area. A modified mask fixation method was introduced to avoid the collision : first, the edges of the head cushion were cut off and polystyrene beads with a diameter of approximately 5 cm were removed. Next, the head cushion was sealed using a stapler. Finally, the head cushion was flattened in the adapter. We compared the shot coordinates, 3-dimensional (3D) error, clearance distance, and vertical depth of the head cushion between the initial and modified mask fixations. Results : When comparing the initial and modified mask fixations, the difference in the shot coordinates was +10.5 mm along the y-axis, the difference in the 3D error was approximately 18 mm, and the difference in clearance was -10.2 mm. The head cushion was approximately 8 mm deeper in the modified mask fixation. Conclusion : Based on these findings, we recommend a modified mask fixation method for gamma knife radiosurgery using ICON with a collision.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to measure curvature contour skin dose using radiochromic film and TLD for a conventional open field. We also attempted to quantify the degradation of skin sparing associated with use of immobilization devices for high energy photon beams and to calculate the skin dose with a help of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation. To simulate head-and-neck and shoulder treatment, a cylindrical solid water phantom 11 cm in diameter was irradiated with 6 MV x-rays using $40{\times}40\;cm^2$ field at 100 cm source axis distance (SAD) to the center of the phantom. Aquaplastic mesh mask was placed on the surface of the cylindrical phantom that mimicked relevant clinical situations. The skin dose profile was obtained by taking measurements from $0^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ}$ around the circumference of the cylindrical phantom. The skin doses obtained from radiochromic film were found to be 47% of the maximum dose of $D_{max}$ at the $0^{\circ}$ beam entry position and 61% at the $90^{\circ}$ oblique beam position without the mask. Using the mask (1.5 mm), the skin dose received was 59% at $0^{\circ}$ incidence and 78% at $80^{\circ}$ incidence. Skin dose results were also gathered using thin thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD). With the mask, the skin dose was 66% at $0^{\circ}$ incidence and 80% at $80^{\circ}$ incidence. This method with the mask revealed the similar pattern as film measurement. For the treatments of the head-and-neck and shoulder regions in which immobilization mask was used, skin doses at around tangential angle were nearly the same as the prescription dose. When a sloping skin contour is encountered, skin doses may be abated using thinner and more perforated immoblization devices which should still maintain immoblization.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was compare to the patient setup deviation of two different type thermoplastic immobilization masks for glottis cancer in the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). A total of 16 glottis cancer cases were divided into two groups based on applied mask type: standard or alternative group. The mean error (M), three-dimensional setup displacement error (3D-error), systematic error (${\Sigma}$), random error (${\sigma}$) were calculated for each group, and also analyzed setup margin (mm). The 3D-errors were $5.2{\pm}1.3mm$ and $5.9{\pm}0.7mm$ for the standard and alternative groups, respectively; the alternative group was 13.6% higher than the standard group. The systematic errors in the roll angle and the x, y, z directions were $0.8^{\circ}$, 1.7 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm in the alternative group and $0.8^{\circ}$, 1.1 mm, 1.8 mm, and 2.0 mm in the alternative group. The random errors in the x, y, z directions were 10.9%, 1.7%, and 23.1% lower in the alternative group than in the standard group. However, absolute rotational angle (i.e., roll) in the alternative group was 12.4% higher than in the standard group. For calculated setup margin, the alternative group in x direction was 31.8% lower than in standard group. In contrast, the y and z direction were 52.6% and 21.6% higher than in the standard group. Although using a modified thermoplastic immobilization mask could be affect patient setup deviation in terms of numerical results, various point of view for an immobilization masks has need to research in terms of clinic issue.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2018

Purpose: To investigate positional uncertainty and its correlation with clinical parameters in spine stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using thermoplastic mask (TM) immobilization. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 patients who underwent spine SBRT for cervical or upper thoracic spinal lesions were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with image guidance using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 4 degrees-of-freedom (DoF) positional correction. Initial, pre-treatment, and post-treatment CBCTs were analyzed. Setup error (SE), pre-treatment residual error (preRE), post-treatment residual error (postRE), intrafraction motion before treatment (IM1), and intrafraction motion during treatment (IM2) were determined from 6 DoF manual rigid registration. Results: The three-dimensional (3D) magnitudes of translational uncertainties (mean ${\pm}$ 2 standard deviation) were $3.7{\pm}3.5mm$ (SE), $0.9{\pm}0.9mm$ (preRE), $1.2{\pm}1.5mm$ (postRE), $1.4{\pm}2.4mm$ (IM1), and $0.9{\pm}1.0mm$ (IM2), and average angular differences were $1.1^{\circ}{\pm}1.2^{\circ}$ (SE), $0.9^{\circ}{\pm}1.1^{\circ}$ (preRE), $0.9^{\circ}{\pm}1.1^{\circ}$ (postRE), $0.6^{\circ}{\pm}0.9^{\circ}$ (IM1), and $0.5^{\circ}{\pm}0.5^{\circ}$ (IM2). The 3D magnitude of SE, preRE, postRE, IM1, and IM2 exceeded 2 mm in 18, 0, 3, 3, and 1 patients, respectively. No association were found between all positional uncertainties and body mass index, pain score, and treatment location (p > 0.05, Mann-Whitney test). There was a tendency of intrafraction motion to increase with overall treatment time; however, the correlation was not statistically significant (p > 0.05, Spearman rank correlation test). Conclusion: In spine SBRT using TM immobilization, CBCT and 4 DoF alignment correction, a minimum residual translational uncertainty was 2 mm. Shortening overall treatment time and 6 DoF positional correction may further reduce positional uncertainties.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.345-354
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• 2014

Purpose : We evaluated the usefulness of $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system and s-thermoplastic mask by analyzing setup error when stereotactic radiousurgery (SRS) was treated for brain metastasis. Materials and Methods : 6 patients who received definite diagnosis as brain metastasis between May 2014 and October 2014 were selected. 3 patients were immobilized s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece (group1), while $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system was used for the other 3 patients (group2). Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) scan was acquired to register planning CT scan. The registration offset was compared for each group. We compared and reported the errors using maximum, minimum, mean, and standard deviation of registration offsets. Furthermore, We used the same method as patient specific quality assurance to verify absorbed dose of PTV. Results : The setup error which is registration offset was reduced 83% in x, 40% in y, and 92% in z-direction when $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system was used compared to the case of using s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece. In addition, using $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system showed improved results in rotational components, pitch (rotation along x-axis), roll (y), and yaw (z) which were reduced 64, 88, and 87% respectively compared to the case of using s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece. In dosimetry results, when s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece used, absorbed dose was reduce 83% compared to before and after registration. However, using $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system showed only 1.9%. All percentage were calculated with respect to average value. Conclusion : Using $Fraxion^{(R)}$ system including mouthpiece, Fraxion frame, frontpiece, and thermoplastic mask, showed better repeatability and precision compared to using s-thermoplastic mask and mouthpiece, which is consequently considered as more improved immobilization system.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 1984

Subtraction is an essential technic to improve imaging quality in various radiological procedures. The limitations of subtraction, however, are well known. Blurred under-subtraction (BUS) method has been suggested to overcome and compensate these limitations. Ten cases of angiography were subtracted by conventional subtraction and BUS technic. Results of this study revealed that BUS method is simple to perform and imaging quality obtained by BUS is excellent. Comparing to conventional subtraction, BUS method has advantages. For example, BUS need no mask film or no immobilization of patient during examination. Improvement of imaging Qualify is achieved by edge enhancement, homogeneous blurring of background density and increasing contrast. With emphasis of its simplicity in technic, we would report that BUS method is a useful adjunct imaging technic in various radiological procedures.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.243-247
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• 2011

In this study, a convenient method for the selective immobilization of single strand DNA (ssDNA) on a polymer surface was described. A positively charged polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), was spin-coated on a tissue culture petridish and the micropatterns of the PDDA were formed by selective ion implantation through a pattern mask. The surface property of the implanted PDDA was investigated by using a surface profiler and FT-IR spectrometer. Cy3-labeled ssDNA was selectively immobilized on the PDDA patterns through ionic interaction and thus, well-defined ssDNA patterns were obtained.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

Purpose: Helical Tomotherapy allows only coplanar beam delivery because it does not allow couch rotation. We investigated a method to introduce non-coplanar beam by tilting a patient's head for Tomotherapy. The aim of this study was to compare intrafractional movement during Tomotherapy between coplanar and non-coplanar patient's setup. Materials and Methods: Helical Tomotherapy was used for treating eight patients with intracranial tumor. The subjects were divided into three groups: one group (coplanar) of 2 patients who lay on S-plate with supine position and wore thermoplastic mask for immobilizing the head, second group (non-coplanar) of 3 patients who lay on S-plate with supine position and whose head was tilted with Variable Axis Baseplate and wore thermoplastic mask, and third group (non-coplanar plus mouthpiece) of 3 patients whose head was tilted and wore a mouthpiece immobilization device and thermoplastic mask. The patients were treated with Tomotherapy after treatment planning with Tomotherapy Planning System. Megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) was performed before and after treatment, and the intrafractional error was measured with lateral(X), longitudinal(Y), vertical(Z) direction movements and vector ($\sqrt{x^2+y^2+z^2}$) value for assessing overall movement. Results: Intrafractional error was compared among three groups by taking the error of MVCT taken after the treatment. As the correction values (X, Y, Z) between MVCT image taken after treatment and CT-simulation image are close to zero, the patient movement is small. When the mean values of movement of each direction for non-coplanar setup were compared with coplanar setup group, X-axis movement was decreased by 13%, but Y-axis and Z-axis movement were increased by 109% and 88%, respectively. Movements of Y-axis and Z-axis with non-coplanar setup were relatively greater than that of X-axis since a tilted head tended to slip down. The mean of X-axis movement of the group who used a mouthpiece was greater by 9.4% than the group who did not use, but the mean of Y-axis movement was lower by at least 64%, and the mean of Z-axis was lower by at least 67%, and the mean of Z-axis was lower by at least 67%, and the vector was lower by at least 59% with the use of a mouthpiece. Among these 8 patients, one patient whose tumor was located on left frontal lobe and left basal ganglia received reduced radiation dose of 38% in right eye, 23% in left eye, 30% in optic chiasm, 27% in brain stem, and 8% in normal brain with non-coplanar method. Conclusion: Tomotherapy only allows coplanar delivery of IMRT treatment. To complement this shortcoming, Tomotherapy can be used with non-coplanar method by artificially tilting the patient's head and using an oral immobilization instrument to minimize the movement of patient, when intracranial tumor locates near critical organs or has to be treated with high dose radiation.