Junctioning of lateral and anterior fields in head and neck cancer: A dosimetric assessment of the monoisocentric technique (including reproducibility)

Abstract

PURPOSE: The matching or junctioning of two lateral fields with an anterior field is commonly performed in the treatment of head and neck cancer. A monoisocentric technique utilising asymmetric collimation is potentially associated with improved dosimetry in the plane of the junction due to decreased reliance on operator skill and the avoidance of couch movement. The aim of this study was not only to assess the average dose delivered in the plane of the junction, but also the reproducibility of this dose for the monoisocentric technique and two other commonly used techniques. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An anthropomorphic head and neck wax phantom was fashioned to allow the placement of 22 TLD ch..