3 research outputs found
A simple clinical method for predicting the benefit of prone vs. supine positioning in reducing heart exposure during left breast radiotherapy
Background and purpose: The benefit of reduced radiation heart exposure in the prone vs. supine position
individually differs. In this prospective cohort study, the goal was to develop a simple method for the
operation of a validated model for the prediction of preferable treatment position during left breast
radiotherapy.
Material and methods: In 100 cases, a single CT slice was utilized for the collection of the needed patientspecific
data (in addition to body mass index, the distance of the LAD from the chest wall and the area of
the heart included in the radiation fields at the middle of the heart in the supine position). Outcome was
analyzed in relation to the full CT series acquired in both positions and dosimetric data.
Results: Great consistency was found between the tested and original method regarding sensitivity and
specificity. The prioritization of LAD dose, and the use of heart dose and position-specific dose constraints
as safety measures ensure sensitivity and specificity values of 82.8% and 87.3%, respectively. In an additional
‘‘routine clinical practice” series of 60 patients the new method seemed feasible in routine clinical
practice. External testing on a 28-case series indicated similar accuracy.
Conclusion: We consider this simple clinical tool appropriate for assisting individual positioning aiming
at maximum heart protection during left breast irradiatio