CT-guided percutaneous insertion of interstitial radiotherapy catheters in head and neck tumors

We describe a new method of placing interstitial radiation therapy catheters in patients with head and neck tumors. In three patients with recurrent inoperable head and neck tumors CT guidance was utilized to insert interstitial radiation therapy catheters percutaneously. This method enabled palliative radiation therapy to be administered without the need for surgical placement of seeds or catheters. The detailed anatomical localization of tumor and vascular structures provided by CT enabled precise percutaneous placement of afterloading catheters while ensuring safety. Pain was reduced and tumor size was decreased in all three patients. The CT-guided percutaneous insertion of afterloading catheters is a simple yet effective method of providing interstitial radiation therapy for head and neck tumors.