Accuracy of 3-d needle navigation in interstitial brachytherapy in various body regions.

Background: Precise immobilisation of a patient during extracranial stereotactic 3-D navigation is essential in order to minimize the patient's movement during CT data recording and needle application. In this paper we report the first results of needle positioning accuracy in various body regions, using a 3-D navigation system for brachytherapy and a new patient immobilisation system.

Patients And Methods: Six patients with different manifestations of neoplastic diseases were immobilized by a special vacuum system and treated with stereotactic 3-D navigational interstitial brachytherapy.