Omni-wedge technique for increased dose homogeneity in head and neck radiotherapy

Abstract

Dose homogeneity in head and neck tumour irradiation is a challenging task for conventional radiotherapy due to large anatomic contour irregularities and tissue heterogeneities in irradiation volumes. We present a simple technique based on the omni-wedge concept which uses superimposed fields, orthogonally wedged, to improve target-volumes homogeneity in head and neck tumour irradiation. The routine implementation of this technique is straightforward and easy to achieve with standard radiotherapy equipment and treatment planning software. Our five-year experience in the clinical implementation of this technique is presented.