@article{ART003286208},
author={SHIN YUN SUNG and Youngmin Kim and 박소현 and Myeongsoo Kim},
title={Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy},
journal={Anatomy & Biological Anthropology},
issn={2671-5651},
year={2025},
volume={38},
number={4},
pages={291-302},
doi={10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291}
TY - JOUR
AU - SHIN YUN SUNG
AU - Youngmin Kim
AU - 박소현
AU - Myeongsoo Kim
TI - Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy
JO - Anatomy & Biological Anthropology
PY - 2025
VL - 38
IS - 4
PB - 대한체질인류학회
SP - 291
EP - 302
SN - 2671-5651
AB - Thermoplastic head-and-neck immobilization masks improve setup reproducibility in radiation therapy but may undergo shrinkage and generate local pressure, affecting geometric stability and patient comfort. This study investigated how residual temperature after molding influences long-term shape stability and contact pressure of thermoplastic masks. Two commercially available mask systems (manufacturers A and B) were molded on a RANDO anthropomorphic phantom under three cooling conditions (16°C, 26°C, 36°C). Computed tomography scans were acquired immediately, and at 7 and 30 days, and mask geometries were compared with the initial shape using the Dice similarity coefficient (DICE). Local contact pressure at the forehead, nasal bridge, neck, chest, and shoulder was measured using pressure-sensitive film and converted to pressure (MPa). For both manufacturers, masks molded at 16°C showed the highest DICE values, whereas 36°C yielded the lowest, indicating greater shrinkage and reduced geometric stability at higher residual temperatures. DICE values decreased slightly over 30 days, with the largest decline at 36°C. For manufacturer A, pressure did not change significantly with temperature (p=0.1155). For manufacturer B, pressure increased and became more variable at 36°C, especially at the nasal bridge and neck (p=0.0483). Residual temperature after molding is therefore a critical parameter. Cooling masks to lower temperatures and considering material thermal sensitivity may help maintain geometric stability and reduce patient-perceived pressure.
KW - Thermoplastic mask;Head and neck radiotherapy;Cooling temperature;Mask shrinkage
DO - 10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291
ER -
SHIN YUN SUNG, Youngmin Kim, 박소현 and Myeongsoo Kim. (2025). Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, 38(4), 291-302.
SHIN YUN SUNG, Youngmin Kim, 박소현 and Myeongsoo Kim. 2025, "Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy", Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, vol.38, no.4 pp.291-302. Available from: doi:10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291
SHIN YUN SUNG, Youngmin Kim, 박소현, Myeongsoo Kim "Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38.4 pp.291-302 (2025) : 291.
SHIN YUN SUNG, Youngmin Kim, 박소현, Myeongsoo Kim. Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy. 2025; 38(4), 291-302. Available from: doi:10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291
SHIN YUN SUNG, Youngmin Kim, 박소현 and Myeongsoo Kim. "Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38, no.4 (2025) : 291-302.doi: 10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291
SHIN YUN SUNG; Youngmin Kim; 박소현; Myeongsoo Kim. Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology, 38(4), 291-302. doi: 10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291
SHIN YUN SUNG; Youngmin Kim; 박소현; Myeongsoo Kim. Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy. Anatomy & Biological Anthropology. 2025; 38(4) 291-302. doi: 10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291
SHIN YUN SUNG, Youngmin Kim, 박소현, Myeongsoo Kim. Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy. 2025; 38(4), 291-302. Available from: doi:10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291
SHIN YUN SUNG, Youngmin Kim, 박소현 and Myeongsoo Kim. "Effect of Cooling Temperature on Shrinkage and Pressure-Induced Discomfort in Thermoplastic Head and Neck Immobilization Masks for Radiotherapy" Anatomy & Biological Anthropology 38, no.4 (2025) : 291-302.doi: 10.11637/aba.2025.38.4.291
