Comparison of the double shell positioning system (DSPS) with the 3-pointed thermoplastic shell (TPS) used at a local oncology hospital

Abstract

Purpose: For precise and successful radiation treatments, accurate patient placement is critical. Immobilization devices such as the Double Shell Positioning System (DSPS) and the 3-Pointed Thermoplastic Shell (TPS) are essential in ensuring optimal patient setup. The purpose of this research is to compare the DSPS and TPS about setup accuracy whilst also assessing the perspective of the radiographer working with both devices in a local oncology hospital. Objectives: The objective of this study was to arrive at a better conclusion between the comparison of the masks. The extraction of the translational setup errors of patients treated with the DSPS and TPS system from the patient's medical records, the evaluation of the significance between the 2 groups such as age, gender, and weight. The comparison of the translational setup errors between the DSPS and the TPS and margins with the use of the Van Herk formula. Lastly the evaluation of the perception of radiographers on the accuracy and feasibility of using the DSPS system when compared with the TPS whilst evaluating whether the radiographers require additional training to use the DSPS system. Methodology: A total of 40 radiation patients were assigned to either the DSPS(n=20) or TPS(n=20) groups. For the TPS and DSPS, 540 and 554 Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were used to analyse the setup errors by evaluating translational errors in the X, Y, and Z axes. Each treatment session's setup errors were documented. A self-designed questionnaire was distributed to radiographers in a local oncology hospital. This was distributed to all the radiographers(n=29) working at a local oncology hospital. Results: Both immobilisation devices are adequately good for their purpose. Both the DSPS and the TPS exhibited significant set-errors. The perspective of radiographers was achieved and resulted in them favouring the DSPS over the TPS, but ultimately saying that they are both very good immobilisation device. Conclusion: When compared, both DSPS and TPS showed that the setup errors in all three dimensions are very small, resulting in accurate and precise treatment of brain malignancies The use of the DSPS in clinical practice has the potential to improve radiation treatment quality and efficacy by further reducing setup errors and enhancing patient outcomes. The results of the questionnaires support the use of the DSPS as an immobilization device for precise patient setup in radiotherapy. Additional research may be conducted to investigate other features of these systems, such as patient comfort and treatment efficiency, to give a better holistic approach to clinical decision-making.