What is the recommended head position for a patient when treating a vertex field?

The recommended head position for a patient when treating a vertex field is with the chin tucked down toward the chest. This positioning helps to optimize the treatment field and ensures that the radiation is effectively delivered to the targeted area while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. By tucking the chin, the patient's head is positioned in a way that aligns with the treatment approach, allowing for better coverage of the vertex area, which is essential in specific treatment setups for brain tumors or other cranial conditions.

The chin tucked position also assists in reducing the potential for artifacts that may arise from misalignment or improper positioning. It is important in radiation therapy to have precise and consistent patient positioning to achieve the desired therapeutic effects and maintain safety standards throughout the treatment process.