Abstract

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Title:: Application of 3D printing technology in designing headrest for pediatric patients having radiotherapy

Author(s):: DENG Guanhua; LUO Longhui; WU Wei; ZHANG Ping; DAI Peng; LUO Rishun; HUANG Qing; CAI Linbo; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Sanjiu Brain Hospital, Guangzhou 510510, China

Abstract:: Objective To apply 3D printing technology in designing a headrest which can make pediatric patients more comfortable and improve the positioning accuracy in radiotherapy. Methods The pediatric headrest for 3- to 7-year-old pediatric patients were designed and manufactured by 3D printing technology, based on the head size of pediatric patients aging from 3 to 7 years old and BrainLab standard headrest. Thirty 3- to 7-year-old pediatric patients with brain tumors were randomly divided into research group and control group, with 15 cases in each group. The patients in research group were immobilized using 3D printed headrest with thermoplastic masks, while those in control group were immobilized by BrainLab standard headrest with thermoplastic masks. The single exposure transmittance and the setup errors in LAT (X), LNG (Y), VRT (Z) and 3D vector directions were recorded and analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test, thereby evaluating the clinical effects of 3D printed headrest. Results Statistical differences in setup errors between two groups were found in VRT direction (P<0.001) and 3D vector direction (P=0.023), and the differences in LAT and LNG directions were trivial, without statistical significance (LAT: P=0.950; LNG: P=0.137). Conclusion Using 3D printed headrest for pediatric patients with brain tumors can significantly reduce the setup errors in VRT direction and 3D vector direction, and improve the comfort during radiotherapy.