COMPARING THREE METHODS FOR DETERMINING CHEST WALL THICKNESS IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Chest wall thickness was measured by three different methods (computerized tomography, ultrasonography and radiographs taken during simulation) in 18 patients with breast cancer and results of these methods were compared in this study. Measurements were taken in central plane at midline, at mid axillary line and at intermediate point between two. Chest wall thickness found by all three methods at midline and intermediate point were approximately same. Only the measurements taken by ultrasonography at midaxillary line showed important differences (Range:1-21 mm, Mean:7.7 mm, SD:5.86 mm) compared to computerized tomography. The same findings for radiograph method was 1-7 mm (Mean:2.8 mm, SD:2.17 mm). In our department the simulation method is preferred for its accuracy.