TECHNIQUE TO MAINTAIN SEPARATION OF MANDIBULAR LOOPS IN INTERSTITIAL IMPLANTATION OF HEAD AND NECK TUMORS

Abstract Cancers of the floor of the mouth and lower gingiva are treated by an approach combining external radiation treatment and interstitial implant with Iridium-192 radioisotopes. One technique to administer the dose to these areas is a "loop" technique. A major problem in edentulous patients is that the plastic loops housing the Iridium-192 sources slide out of place along the gum, resulting in loss of ideal spacing. When this occurs, dosimetry for the implant generated from localization films prior to loading does not reflect the distribution of dose delivered. To overcome this problem, we have devised polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) spacers which, when used between the loops, maintains their correct spacing. An implant technique and the spacers will be described.