Abstract
BackgroundRadiosurgical treatments of brain tumors, vascular malformations, and functional disorders are more and more frequently used. Gamma Knife irradiation with the Icon system necessitates the use of a thermoplastic mask for head immobilization during treatment. Acute cutaneous allergy to thermoplastic masks has never been reported.Case presentationA 71-year-old Caucasian woman treated radiosurgically for a sphenoidal meningioma using the Icon Gamma Knife system developed an acute allergic skin reaction to the thermoplastic mask used for head immobilization. Corticoids and antihistamine drugs were needed to continue the radiosurgical procedure to its end.ConclusionAllergic reaction of the skin during radiosurgery with a thermoplastic mask for head fixation can develop due to cutaneous contact of the face with the mask.
Highlights
Radiosurgical treatments of brain tumors, vascular malformations, and functional disorders are more and more frequently used
We report a case of skin allergy to a component of the thermoplastic mask made for a brain hypofractionated radiation treatment
The restraint method chosen was the use of a thermoplastic mask Orfit® (Orfit Industries, Wijnegem, Belgium) [1, 4]
Summary
Radiation therapy for head-and-neck tumors requires a reliable immobilization for an accurate and consistent treatment setup. Head immobilization with a thermoplastic face mask is the most frequently used method [1,2,3,4]. We report a case of skin allergy to a component of the thermoplastic mask made for a brain hypofractionated radiation treatment. Case presentation A 71-year-old Caucasian woman was treated in our Gamma Knife center for a meningioma of the sphenoid jugum. The treatment was performed with Leksell Gamma Knife Icon® (Elekta Instruments, Stockholm, Sweden) and was planned as a hypofractionated irradiation including five daily fractions of 5 Gy. The restraint method chosen was the use of a thermoplastic mask Orfit® (Orfit Industries, Wijnegem, Belgium) [1, 4]. The mask was warmed by soaking in a
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