ABSTRACT
This paper proposes a method to estimate absorbed doses to organs in explorations using computed tomography. This Monte Carlo-based method is a generalization of a previous method applied to conventional diagnostic radiology and is also applicable to radiotherapy techniques using photons or electrons. This study is applied to the estimation of absorbed doses to different parts of the head in a simple head CT examination. Simulation was performed for different arrangements (monoenergetic beam, spectrum, different number of histories, etc.). Comparison of the results with experimental doses measured in a human phantom by thermoluminescent dosimeters indicates that the method is capable of adequately estimating doses to organs in computed tomography.
Subject(s)
Head/diagnostic imaging , Models, Theoretical , Monte Carlo Method , Radiometry , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Absorption , Computer Simulation , Humans , Phantoms, ImagingABSTRACT
A method to estimate the absorbed dose to organs in diagnostic radiology was developed. The method is based on Monte Carlo techniques and has been prepared as a tool that can be adapted to any type of examination or view and which is readily available since it is used in a personal computer and not as a list of numerical results. It has been developed with the EGS4 system for static examinations in diagnostic radiology. A study was made of the absorbed doses to different parts of the head during a conventional x-ray examination. Simulation was performed for different arrangements (monoenergetic beam, spectrum, different number of histories, different size of cells, etc.). The method is capable of estimating doses in agreement with those measured experimentally and those obtained by other authors.
