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Seed misplacement and stabilizing needles in transperineal permanent prostate implants
R Taschereau1, J Pouliot, J Roy
1Département de Radio-Oncologie, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de l'Université Laval, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CHUQ), Pavilion l'Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 11 Côte du Palais, Québec, Canada.
Summary
Parallel stabilizing needles did not reduce seed misplacement in prostate implants. This study found no benefits, suggesting friction reduction may be a better approach to improve dose coverage.
Area of Science:
- Medical physics
- Radiation oncology
- Urological procedures
Background:
- Seed misplacement in transperineal permanent implants degrades dose coverage.
- Prostate immobilization using needles has been proposed to reduce seed misplacement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of parallel stabilizing needles on seed misplacement during prostate brachytherapy.
- To evaluate if stabilizing needles improve needle insertion accuracy and seed placement consistency.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 10 patients with stabilizing needles versus 20 patients without.
- Measurement of individual seed displacement and needle parameters (insertion angle, length ratio, clustering tendency).
Main Results:
- No significant difference in seed misplacement was observed between the groups.
- No improvement in needle insertion angle or clustering tendency was found with stabilizing needles.
Conclusions:
- Parallel stabilizing needles did not demonstrate benefits in reducing seed misplacement or improving needle accuracy.
- Prostate contention via stabilizing needles is not effective for reducing seed misplacement.
- Reducing friction between needles and prostatic tissue is a potential alternative strategy to minimize seed misplacement.