A Customized Finger Brachytherapy Carrier

Abstract

In recent years, radiation therapy has been used with increasing frequency in the management of neoplasms of the head and neck region. Brachytherapy is a method of radiation treatment in which sealed radioactive sources are used to deliver the dose a short distance by interstitial (direct insertion into tissue), intracavitary (placement within a cavity) or surface application (molds). Mold brachytherapy is radiation delivered via a custom-fabricated carriers, designed to provide a more constant and reproducible geometry for source positioning. Radiation carriers are customized to fit the patient in a comfortable, stable, and retentive manner to ensure maximal therapeutic radiations to the desired location and in addition sparing the normal surrounding tissues due to rapid fall-off radioactivity thus minimizing postreatment sequelae of irradiation. This clinical report describes a method of fabrication of a customized radiation carrier or mold for a patient suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of right ring finger, planned to undergo brachytherapy (surface mold therapy). This paper highlights the role and responsibility of the prosthodontist in fabricating the carrier and to maintain the predetermined position of the hollow tubes (catheters) within the mold to remain in the exact position as determined by the radiation oncologist for required results.