Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026
Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy
Published on: July 3, 2014
Implementation of a voluntary deep inspiration breath hold technique (vDIBH) using BrainLab ExacTrac infrared optical
Edy Ippolito1, Michele Fiore1, Alessia Di Donato1
1Radiation Oncology, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.
Background:
Voluntary deep inspiration breath hold technique (vDIBH) is considered as the key to achieving the widest cardiac sparing in whole breast irradiation. Several techniques have been implemented to achieve a reproducible, fast and friendly treatment. The aim of the present study is to implement vDIBH using the ExacTrac (BrainLAB AG, Germany) monitoring system.
Methods:
Women with left-sided breast cancer, younger than 50 years or with cardiac disease, underwent whole breast RT with vDIBH using the ExacTrac (BrainLAB AG, Germany) monitoring system. Simulations were performed with patients positioned supine on a breast board with both arms raised above the head. Five optical markers were placed on the skin around the border of the left breast gland and their position was referenced with ink marking. Each patient received a training session to find the individual deep inspiration level. Finally, a vDIBH CT was taken. All patients were also studied in free breathing (FB) in order to compare the dose distribution for PTV, heart and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Pre-treatment verification was carried out through the ExacTrac (BrainLAB AG, Germany) system and verified with electronic portal imaging (EPI). Moreover, daily real time EPIs in during modality (captured during the beam delivery) were taken in order to check the reproducibility.
Results:
34 patients have been evaluated and 30 were eligible for vDIBH. Most patients showed small setup errors during the treatment course of below 5 mm in 94.9% of the recorded fields. Mean Displacement was less in cranio-caudal direction. Mean intra-fraction displacement was below 3 mm in all directions. vDIBH plans provided better cardiac dosimetry.
Conclusions:
vDIBH technique using ExacTrac (BrainLAB AG, Germany) monitoring system was applied with good reproducibility.
More Related Videos
08:34Investigation into Deep Breathing through Measurement of Ventilatory Parameters and Observation of Breathing Patterns
Published on: September 16, 2019
04:48Tracking Individual Running Metrics in Mice Using a Voluntary Wheel Running Protocol that Minimizes Social Isolation
Published on: April 18, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:30Mechanism of Breathing I: Inspiration
The respiratory system, an essential network for breathing, comprises the conducting and respiratory zones, each playing a crucial role in the overall process of respiration. Let us explore the detailed mechanism of inspiration, or inhalation, which is the first phase of the respiratory cycle.
Pathway of Air during Inspiration
During inspiration, air enters our body through the nose or mouth and moves through the conducting zone,...
01:05Breathing
01:15Nursing Implementation
The five steps to implementing effective nursing care include reassessing the patient, reviewing and revising the existing nursing care plan, organizing the resources and care delivery, anticipating and preventing complications, and implementing nursing interventions.
01:23Mechanism of Breathing II: Expiration
Expiration, or exhaling, is a complex physiological process that begins as the inspiratory muscles begin to relax. This relaxation triggers a series of events that epitomize the efficiency of the respiratory system.
Mechanism of Expiration:
01:09Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: Overview
Different compounds display unique properties due to their...
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test