Custom Nose Piece Enhances Radiosurgery Efficiency and Patient Comfort

Improved patient positioning and reduced treatment time are crucial factors in frameless stereotactic radiosurgery. A recent study evaluated the effectiveness of a modified thermoplastic mask with a custom thermoplastic nose piece in enhancing patient immobilization and treatment efficiency during multi-source cobalt-based stereotactic radiosurgery. The hypothesis was that the addition of the nose piece would lead to better immobilization, reducing patient intrafraction motion, thus improving treatment quality and decreasing overall treatment time.

Patients were divided into three groups for immobilization methods: the manufacturer’s recommended mask formation without modifications (control group), the manufacturer’s method with the addition of the nose piece, and an alternative mask formation technique with increased chin and neck contact along with the nose piece. Patient motion was monitored using High-Definition Motion Monitoring (HDMM). The time factor was calculated by dividing the actual patient treatment time by the estimated plan “beam on” time plus 5 minutes for the initial cone beam CT.

The study included 21 patients in the control group, 49 in the second group, and 65 in the third group. Results showed that the average maximum HDMM deviation from baseline was significantly lower in groups 2 and 3 compared to the control group. The median time factor was also lower in groups 2 and 3, indicating reduced treatment time. While there was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2, a notable discrepancy was observed when comparing groups 1 and 3.

The findings suggest that incorporating a custom thermoplastic nose piece into masks enhances patient intrafraction positional stability and decreases overall treatment time in frameless stereotactic radiosurgery. This improvement was evident regardless of the mask formation technique used. The accessibility of the custom nose piece makes it a practical solution for clinics seeking to enhance treatment quality and efficiency.

Expert commentary from radiation oncologists emphasizes the importance of precise patient positioning in radiosurgery to ensure accurate treatment delivery while minimizing the risk of damaging healthy tissues. The use of advanced immobilization techniques, such as the custom nose piece evaluated in this study, reflects the continuous efforts in the field to enhance treatment outcomes and patient comfort.

The historical context of patient positioning in radiosurgery underscores the evolution from invasive frame-based systems to frameless techniques, offering increased precision and reduced treatment times. This shift has been driven by advancements in technology and a growing emphasis on personalized medicine in oncology.

Furthermore, industry trends indicate a rising demand for innovative solutions that streamline treatment processes and improve patient experiences. The integration of novel immobilization devices, like the custom nose piece, aligns with the industry’s focus on optimizing treatment delivery and outcomes in radiation oncology.

In conclusion, the study highlights the positive impact of incorporating a custom thermoplastic nose piece in patient immobilization for frameless stereotactic radiosurgery. This innovative approach not only enhances treatment efficiency but also underscores the importance of patient-centric care and continuous advancements in oncological therapies. The findings pave the way for further research and adoption of tailored immobilization strategies to elevate the standard of care in radiation oncology.