Modelling of brain tissue substitutes for phantom materials in neutron capture therapy (NCT) dosimetry

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 239 - 246
• Main Authors: Seppälä, T, Vähätalo, J, Auterinen, I, Kosunen, A, Nigg, D.W, Wheeler, F.J, Savolainen, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-07-1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Mathematical models; Medical sciences; Neutrons; Particle beams; Polymethyl methacrylates; Radiation therapy and radiosensitizing agent; Tissue; Treatment with physical agents; Treatment. General aspects; Tumors; Water; Nuclear medicine; Tissue equivalent; Nervous system; Neutron capture; Biophysics; Dosimetry; Radiotherapy; Modeling; Brain (vertebrata); Test object
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/S0969-806X(98)00342-9

The aim of this study was to define the most suitable brain tissue phantom material for neutron capture therapy (NCT). The calculated distributions of the thermal neutron fluence and the fast neutron and
γ dose in normal brain tissue defined by ICRU were compared to those in four brain tissue substitutes: water, PMMA and two normal brain tissue substitute liquids, A and B, defined by us. Liquid B is an excellent material to simulate the neutron and
γ interactions in normal brain tissue and it can be considered for use in situations for which higher accuracy is required, although it may not be suitable for routine use. Water is a suitable brain tissue substitute for periodic epithermal beam calibration, for routine quality control and for intercomparison of beams in NCT dosimetry.