A collaborative study was undertaken between the Medical Illustration Department and the Radiotherapy department at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals to investigate the potential of using 3D printing in the production of localised radiotherapy masks.
Radiotherapy on localised regions of the head requires a protective lead mask to be created in order to prevent X-rays from damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. The mask is currently created by making a thermoplastic mould of the patients face. When the thermoplastic has hardened the mould is removed and packed with plaster. A sheet of lead is then hammered onto the surface of the plaster mould in order to create a protective mask.
Movements in the patient’s face during the application of the thermoplastic can cause problems in the creation of a well fitted mask. Due to the process of taking a plaster impression from the thermoplastic mould only a low definition representation of the patient’s face is possible (figure 2).
This study investigates the possibility of using 3D scanning and printing in order to create a higher definition facial model, better fitting mask and improved patient experience.