Application of Monte Carlo Simulation and Voxel Models to Internal Dosimetry

There has been a considerable accumulation of usage of voxel models for internal radiation dosimetry (Xu & Eckerman, 2009 ; Zaidi & Tsui, 2009). The human voxel models of the Reference Male and Reference Female have been introduced and used to evaluate the energy deposition in organs resulting from internal radiation exposures by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) (ICRP, 2009). Inter-comparisons on Monte Carlo modeling for in vivo measurements of radionuclides in knee and torso voxel models were undertaken to upgrade dosimetry programmes in EU (Gomez-Ros, et al., 2008; Gualdrini & Ferrari 2008). At the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), several studies have been conducted on the use of voxel models for internal dosimetry (Kinase, et al., 2003; 2004; 2007a; 2007b; 2008a; 2008b; 2009a; 2009b; Mohammadi & Kinase; Takahashi, et al.). Specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) and S values have been evaluated for preclinical assessments of radiopharmaceuticals using human voxel models and a mouse voxel model. Computational calibration of in vivo measurement system has been also made using Japanese and Caucasian voxel models, the knee and torso voxel models. In addition, for radiation protection of the environment, absorbed fractions (AFs) have been evaluated using a frog voxel model. Each study has been made by using Monte Carlo simulations. These data by Monte Carlo simulations and voxel models could adequately reproduce those by measurements. Voxel models are significant tools for internal dosimetry since the models are anatomically realistic.