Anthropomorphic Phantoms and Models of Biological Systems

Abstract

Except in some very unusual and rare cases, nuclear medicine radiation absorbed doses are calculated and not measured. Input measurements, in the form of the biodistribution of the radionuclide, are required but the dosimetry is evaluated through calculation. This evaluation is almost always currently performed for a representative anthropomorphic model, or phantom. This chapter describes the types of phantoms (stylized, voxellated/tomographic and hybrid) and surveys their development in increasing sophistication and complexity and ethnic diversities. Biological systems must also be modeled in the evaluation of the internal radiation dosimetry, especially those dynamic systems such as the urinary bladder and gastrointestinal tract where multi-compartmental transport of activity must be calculated for. Models of specific biological systems (respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, heart and contents, kidney, urinary bladder, head and brain, bone and bone marrow, peritoneal cavity, rectum, prostate gland and spherical tumors) are reviewed and, where applicable, derivations of cumulated activity expressions provided.