Three-Dimensional Printed Silicone Bite Blocks for Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer—A Preliminary Study
Conventional methods that have been developed to immobilize the mouth and tongue for radiotherapy (RT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment have been unsatisfactory. We, therefore, developed three-dimensional (3D), customizable, silicone bite blocks and examined their clinical feasibility. For HN...
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MDPI AG
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/5/1688 |
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| author | Yu-Ming Huang Jehn-Chuan Lee Chien-Ming Chu Hung-Chi Tai Tien-Chi Hou Fred Yi-Shueh Chen Chih-Wen Chi Yu-Jen Chen |
| author_facet | Yu-Ming Huang Jehn-Chuan Lee Chien-Ming Chu Hung-Chi Tai Tien-Chi Hou Fred Yi-Shueh Chen Chih-Wen Chi Yu-Jen Chen |
| author_sort | Yu-Ming Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Conventional methods that have been developed to immobilize the mouth and tongue for radiotherapy (RT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment have been unsatisfactory. We, therefore, developed three-dimensional (3D), customizable, silicone bite blocks and examined their clinical feasibility. For HNC patients, before RT, the 3D printed bite blocks were fabricated based on primary computed tomography (CT) simulation images. The placement of the 3D bite blocks was followed by a secondary CT simulation before RT planning was finalized. Dosimetric parameters and positioning verification achieved with the propose bite blocks were compared with conventional universal oral corks. The 3D printed bite blocks were conformal to the occlusal surface, ensuring immobilization of the tongue without eliciting a gag reflex, and an elastic and firm texture that supports opening of the mouth, with a smooth surface with tolerable intraoral tactility. The dosimetry of patients using the proposed bite blocks showed better coverage of the planning target volume and surface of a tumour bed along with reduction in normal tissue doses. Good concordance of positioning by 3D printed bite blocks during the RT course was verified. The 3D printed bite blocks with silicone might be a customizable, safe, and practical advanced technology in RT for HNC. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:01:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ef44b5114348499bb8356840a7014868 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:01:18Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-ef44b5114348499bb8356840a70148682022-12-22T02:40:31ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172020-03-01105168810.3390/app10051688app10051688Three-Dimensional Printed Silicone Bite Blocks for Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer—A Preliminary StudyYu-Ming Huang0Jehn-Chuan Lee1Chien-Ming Chu2Hung-Chi Tai3Tien-Chi Hou4Fred Yi-Shueh Chen5Chih-Wen Chi6Yu-Jen Chen7Department of Radiation Oncology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, TaiwanDepartment of Medicine, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 25245, TaiwanBioMedical Development Center, Mackay Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 25160, TaiwanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, TaiwanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, TaiwanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, TaiwanDepartment of Medical Research, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, TaiwanDepartment of Radiation Oncology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10449, TaiwanConventional methods that have been developed to immobilize the mouth and tongue for radiotherapy (RT) in head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment have been unsatisfactory. We, therefore, developed three-dimensional (3D), customizable, silicone bite blocks and examined their clinical feasibility. For HNC patients, before RT, the 3D printed bite blocks were fabricated based on primary computed tomography (CT) simulation images. The placement of the 3D bite blocks was followed by a secondary CT simulation before RT planning was finalized. Dosimetric parameters and positioning verification achieved with the propose bite blocks were compared with conventional universal oral corks. The 3D printed bite blocks were conformal to the occlusal surface, ensuring immobilization of the tongue without eliciting a gag reflex, and an elastic and firm texture that supports opening of the mouth, with a smooth surface with tolerable intraoral tactility. The dosimetry of patients using the proposed bite blocks showed better coverage of the planning target volume and surface of a tumour bed along with reduction in normal tissue doses. Good concordance of positioning by 3D printed bite blocks during the RT course was verified. The 3D printed bite blocks with silicone might be a customizable, safe, and practical advanced technology in RT for HNC.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/5/16883d printing3d bite blockssiliconehead and neck cancerradiotherapyoral fixation |
| spellingShingle | Yu-Ming Huang Jehn-Chuan Lee Chien-Ming Chu Hung-Chi Tai Tien-Chi Hou Fred Yi-Shueh Chen Chih-Wen Chi Yu-Jen Chen Three-Dimensional Printed Silicone Bite Blocks for Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer—A Preliminary Study Applied Sciences 3d printing 3d bite blocks silicone head and neck cancer radiotherapy oral fixation |
| title | Three-Dimensional Printed Silicone Bite Blocks for Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer—A Preliminary Study |
| title_full | Three-Dimensional Printed Silicone Bite Blocks for Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer—A Preliminary Study |
| title_fullStr | Three-Dimensional Printed Silicone Bite Blocks for Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer—A Preliminary Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Three-Dimensional Printed Silicone Bite Blocks for Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer—A Preliminary Study |
| title_short | Three-Dimensional Printed Silicone Bite Blocks for Radiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer—A Preliminary Study |
| title_sort | three dimensional printed silicone bite blocks for radiotherapy of head and neck cancer a preliminary study |
| topic | 3d printing 3d bite blocks silicone head and neck cancer radiotherapy oral fixation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/5/1688 |
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