Direct Determination of Radionuclides in the Body Optimisation of Measurements Parameters and Results Analysis

Abstract

Whole body counting (WBC) benefits from new types of detectors and methodologies. It has found applications in areas such as in medicine, protection of workers and of population. The design of a WBC facility should be tailored to the type of application. Monte Carlo calculations help to improve the reliability of the calibration of a facility, particularly for non-standard measurements (child, etc.), help in optimizing shielding of counting rooms, preventing large systematic errors and lowering detection limits. In vivo counting may be used to evaluate the distribution of radionuclides in organs for metabolic studies with multiple detectors or with a scan of the body. Reduction of detection levels by background reduction is limited. Improved sensitivity can be obtained by adapting the detector type and size to the measured photon energy. The benefit of comparison exercises and training courses are demonstrated. Further improvements in accuracy can be expected from cooperative works with other techniques: indirect methods (urines and faeces) and passive detectors placed correctly on the body can in the case of high levels of contamination can be used to improve the burden assessment.

MaMP and FeMP: computational mesh phantoms applied for studying the variation of WBC efficiency using a NaI(Tl) detector

“…The detector was placed pointing towards the reference point of the phantom. The CE is expected to arise from radionuclides deposited mainly in the chest, waist, pelvis, arms and upper legs of the phantom, as also reported by other authors [22,23].…”