A NOVEL SUPPORT DEVICE FOR HEAD IMMOBILIZATION DURING RADIATION THERAPY THAT IS APPLICABLE TO BOTH XXXX AND @entity235 .

@entity1 @entity135 @entity5 @entity235 @entity468
Repeatable head immobilization is important for minimizing positioning error during radiation therapy for veterinary @entity1 with @entity135 . The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to describe a novel technique for head immobilization (Device II) and compare this technique with a previously described technique (Device I). Device II provided additional support by incorporating three teeth (vs. two teeth with Device I). Between 2011 and 2013, both devices were applied in clinically affected @entity468 (Device I, n = 17; Device II, n = 11) and @entity235 (Device I, n = 85; Device II, n = 22) of various breeds and sizes. The following data were recorded for each included @entity1 : variability in the angle of the skull (roll, yaw, and pitch), coordinates of the isocenter, and distance from the reference mark to the @entity5 . Devices I and II differed for skull angle variability during the treatment of @entity235 (roll, P = 0.0007; yaw, P = 0.0018; pitch, P = 0.0384) and for yaw of during the treatment of @entity468 (P < 0.0001). In each case, Device II was superior to Device I. The distance from the reference mark to the center of the @entity5 was significantly decreased for Device II vs. Device I ( @entity235 , P < 0.0001; @entity468 , P = 0.0002). Device II also provided more accurate coordinates for the isocenter. Authors recommend the use of, Device II for future clinical @entity1 .
