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Monte Carlo modeling of a conventional X-ray computed tomography scanner for gel dosimetry purposes

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Abstract

Our purpose in the current study was to model an X-ray CT scanner with the Monte Carlo (MC) method for gel dosimetry. In this study, a conventional CT scanner with one array detector was modeled with use of the MCNPX MC code. The MC calculated photon fluence in detector arrays was used for image reconstruction of a simple water phantom as well as polyacrylamide polymer gel (PAG) used for radiation therapy. Image reconstruction was performed with the filtered back-projection method with a Hann filter and the Spline interpolation method. Using MC results, we obtained the dose–response curve for images of irradiated gel at different absorbed doses. A spatial resolution of about 2 mm was found for our simulated MC model. The MC-based CT images of the PAG gel showed a reliable increase in the CT number with increasing absorbed dose for the studied gel. Also, our results showed that the current MC model of a CT scanner can be used for further studies on the parameters that influence the usability and reliability of results, such as the photon energy spectra and exposure techniques in X-ray CT gel dosimetry.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (Aras branch) for its support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Branch of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (ARAS), Tabriz, Iran

    Homa Hayati & Mahmood Nazarpoor

  2. Medical Physics Department, Medical School, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Asghar Mesbahi

  3. Medical Physics Department, Institute of Health Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey

    Asghar Mesbahi

  4. Faculty of Paramedicine, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Mahmood Nazarpoor

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  1. Homa Hayati
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  2. Asghar Mesbahi
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Correspondence to Asghar Mesbahi.

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Hayati, H., Mesbahi, A. & Nazarpoor, M. Monte Carlo modeling of a conventional X-ray computed tomography scanner for gel dosimetry purposes. Radiol Phys Technol 9, 37–43 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12194-015-0331-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12194-015-0331-4

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