An adjuvant afterloading brachytherapy device for use after orbital exenteration in patients with orbital malignancies

• Published in: German journal of ophthalmology Vol. 5; no. 6; p. 484
• Main Authors: Bacskulin, A, Ehrhardt, M, Strietzel, M, Pau, H W, von Schwanewede, H, Guthoff, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-11-1996
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - diagnostic imaging; Adenocarcinoma - radiotherapy; Adenocarcinoma - surgery; Adult; Aged; Brachytherapy - instrumentation; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - radiotherapy; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic - surgery; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnostic imaging; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Cobalt Radioisotopes - therapeutic use; Eyelid Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Eyelid Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Eyelid Neoplasms - surgery; Female; Humans; Iridium Radioisotopes - therapeutic use; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - radiotherapy; Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases - surgery; Male; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms - surgery; Middle Aged; Orbit Evisceration; Orbital Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Orbital Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Orbital Neoplasms - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0941-2921

In cases of malignant diseases situated within the orbit and threaten to extend beyond it, removal of the orbit and periorbital contents may be indicated, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy or irradiation. An effective radiotherapy device for treatment of residual or suspicious cancer in the enucleated orbit consists of an external-beam radiation source (60Co) and an intraoperatively fitted mould as a guide for the flexible afterloading tubes using a 192Ir source. Considering the physical dose distribution and the local situation, this therapy permits a high dose with homogeneous dose distribution to the target area of the orbit but also allows significant dose reduction to adjunctive critical structures. Four patients with different orbital malignancies were treated by means of a combination of percutaneous radiotherapy with afterloading brachytherapy following orbital exenteration. The individual mould of the orbital cavity is modeled at the end of the operation. The technique of radiotherapy, dose distribution, and follow-up of the disease are demonstrated. Orbital malignancies with an extremely poor prognosis may profit from the application of this combined radiotherapy to avoid supraradical surgical intervention.