0000000000133965
AUTHOR
Stephanie E. Combs
Radiolucent Carbon Fiber–Reinforced Pedicle Screws for Treatment of Spinal Tumors: Advantages for Radiation Planning and Follow-Up Imaging
Objective Surgical treatment of spinal tumors regularly includes spinal instrumentation with pedicle screws. Most modern pedicle screws are made of titanium alloy, which is associated with artifacts on postoperative imaging such as computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. These artifacts hamper radiation treatment planning and execution and follow-up imaging. Recently, carbon fiber–reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFRP) implants became available for posterior instrumentation with the aim to reduce imaging artifacts by implants. Methods Patients harboring spinal tumors underwent posterior stabilization using CFRP pedicle screws. Postoperative imaging was evaluated for implant a…
Clinical microbeam radiation therapy with a compact source: specifications of the line-focus X-ray tube
Highlights • Line-focus X-ray tubes are suitable for clinical microbeam radiation therapy (MRT). • A modular high-voltage supply safely enables high electron beam powers. • An electron accelerator was designed to generate an eccentric focal spot. • We simulated a peak-to-valley dose ratio above 20 for single-field MRT. • Microbeam arc therapy spares healthy brain tissue compared to single-field MRT.