Analysis of Set-up Parameters in Head and Neck Patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (A Review of Current Clinical Practice)

This study aimed to collect and analyze the recorded daily setup parameters of the bed as incidentally captured on an integrated record and verify system. This was done on some radical head and neck patients treated from 2008 to 2010 at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH) in South Africa. Most of these patients had anterior neck fields that were set-up using fixed couch longitudinal movements (meaning more than one treatment isocentre). It was hoped that the ideal absolute position of the patient on the bed relative to the isocentre of the treatment machine, for a course of head and neck radiotherapy at CMJAH, could be established. Knowledge of the set-up margin achievable could also assist in defining the tolerance assigned to couch parameters on the electronic record and verify system, such that setup is restricted accordingly.