Patients respond well to open immobilisation shells
Neuro-oncology specialist radiographer Martin Brewer and consultant clinical oncologist Dr Liam Welsh with the old and new immobilisation shells.
Radiographers at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust are trialling an open face immobilisation shell to help improve patient experience during cranial radiotherapy.
The Royal Marsden set up the CORIOLIS study in 2015 at its Chelsea hospital and this August expanded the study to its second hospital site in Sutton. The randomised controlled trial is comparing the accuracy and acceptability of closed face and open face thermoplastic immobilisation shells in cranial radiotherapy.
“Unlike traditional shells that cover the whole face, the open mask leaves a patient’s eyes, nose and mouth exposed,” says consultant clinical oncologist and study chief investigator Dr Liam Welsh. “This has the potential to reduce anxiety and improve the patient experience compared to the closed face shell. It may also reduce the symptoms for patients who suffer with claustrophobia.”
See the full report on page 2 of the October 2017 issue of RAD Magazine.
