Tumor dose enhancement by gold nanoparticles in a 6 MV photon beam: a Monte Carlo study on the size effect of nanoparticles

In this study after benchmarking of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of a 6 MV linac, the simulation model was used for estimation of tumor dose enhancement by gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The 6 MV photon mode of a Siemens Primus linac was simulated and a percent depth dose and dose profiles values obtained from the simulations were compared with the corresponding measured values. Dose enhancement for various sizes and concentrations of GNPs were studied for two cases with and without the presence of a flattening filter in the beam’s path. Tumor dose enhancement with and without the presence of the flattening filter was, respectively 1–5 and 3–10%. The maximum dose enhancement was observed when 200 nm GNPs was used and the concentration was 36 mg/g tumor. Furthermore, larger GNPs resulted in higher dose values in the tumor. After careful observation of the dose enhancement factor data, it was found that there is a poor relation between the nanoparticle size and dose enhancement. It seems that for high energy photons, the dose enhancement is more affected by the concentration of nanoparticles than their size

SIMIND Monte Carlo simulation of a single photon emission CT

In this study, we simulated a Siemens E.CAM SPECT system using SIMIND Monte Carlo program to acquire its experimental characterization in terms of energy resolution, sensitivity, spatial resolution and imaging of phantoms using ^99m Tc. The experimental and simulation data for SPECT imaging was acquired from a point source and Jaszczak phantom<b> .</b> Verification of the simulation was done by comparing two sets of images and related data obtained from the actual and simulated systems. Image quality was assessed by comparing image contrast and resolution.<b> </b> Simulated and measured energy spectra (with or without a collimator) and spatial resolution from point sources in air were compared. The resulted energy spectra present similar peaks for the gamma energy of ^99m Tc at 140 KeV. FWHM for the simulation calculated to14.01 KeV and 13.80 KeV for experimental data, corresponding to energy resolution of 10.01and 9.86&#x0025; compared to defined 9.9&#x0025; for both systems, respectively. Sensitivities of the real and virtual gamma cameras were calculated to 85.11 and 85.39 cps/MBq, respectively. The energy spectra of both simulated and real gamma cameras were matched. Images obtained from Jaszczak phantom, experimentally and by simulation, showed similarity in contrast and resolution. SIMIND Monte Carlo could successfully simulate the Siemens E.CAM gamma camera. The results validate the use of the simulated system for further investigation, including modification, planning, and developing a SPECT system to improve the quality of images

An Update of Couch Effect on the Attenuation of Megavoltage Radiotherapy Beam and the Variation of Absorbed Dose in the Build-up Region

Purpose: Fiber carbon is the most common material used in treating couch as it causes less beam attenuation than other materials. Beam attenuation replaces buildup region, reduces skin-sparing effect and causes target volume under dosage. In this study, we aimed to evaluate beam attenuation and variation of build-up region in 550 TxT radiotherapy couch. Materials and Methods: In this study, we utilized cylindrical PMMA Farmer chamber, DOSE-1 electrometer and set PMMA phantom in isocenter of gantry and the Farmer chamber on the phantom. Afterwards, the gantry rotated 10°, and attenuation was assessed. To measure build-up region, we used Markus chamber, Solid water phantom and DOSE-1 electrometer. Doing so, we set Solid water phantom on isocenter of gantry and placed Markus chamber in it, then we quantified the build-up region at 0° and 180° gantry angels and compared the obtained values. Results: Notable attenuation and build-up region variation were observed in 550 TxT treatment table. The maximum rate of attenuation was 5.95% for 6 MV photon beam, at 5×5 cm2 field size and 130° gantry angle, while the maximum variation was 7 mm for 6 MV photon beam at 10×10 cm2 field size. Conclusion: Fiber carbon caused beam attenuation and variation in the build-up region. Therefore, the application of fiber carbon is recommended for planning radiotherapy to prevent skin side effects and to decrease the risk of cancer recurrence

Image Optimization in Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography by Hardware Modifications with Monte Carlo Simulation

Introduction: In Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), the projection data used for image reconstruction are distorted by several factors, including attenuation and scattering of gamma rays, collimator structure, data acquisition method, organ motion, and washout of radiopharmaceuticals. All these make reconstruction of a quantitative SPECT image very difficult. Simulation of a SPECT system is a convenient method to assess the impact of these factors on the image quality. Materials and Methods: The SIMIND Monte Carlo program was employed to simulate a Siemens E.CAM SPECT system. Verification of the simulation was performed by comparing the performance parameters of the system. The verified system was used for SPECT simulations of homogenous and inhomogeneous voxelized phantoms in conjugation with hardware modifications. The resulting data were compared with those obtained from the simulated system without any modifications. Image quality was assessed by comparing the Structural SIMularity index (SSIM), contrast, and resolution of images. Results: The energy spectra acquired from both simulated and real SPECT systems demonstrated similar energy peak regions. The resulting full-widths-at-half-maximums were 13.92 keV for the simulation and 13.58 keV for experimental data, corresponding to energy resolutions of 9.95% and 9.61%, and with calculated sensitivities of 85.39 and 85.11 cps/MBq, respectively. Better performance parameters were obtained with a hardware-modified system constructed using a 0.944 cm thickness NaI(Tl) crystal covered by a layer of 0.24 cm aluminum, a  slat of 4.5 cm Pyrex as a backscattering medium, and a parallel hole collimator of Pb-Sb alloy with 2.405 cm thickness. Conclusion: The modeling of a Siemens E.CAM SPECT system was performed with the SIMIND Monte Carlo code. Results obtained with the code are in good agreement with experimental results. The findings demonstrate that the proposed hardware modifications in the system appear to be suitable for further improvement of the performance parameters of the system, indicating that future investigations can be conducted on using the system for supplementary studies on image improvement in the field of nuclear medicine