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Method for estimating the intensity of scattered radiation using a scatter generation model.

An analytical formula for estimating the intensity of scattered radiation in an x-ray image under various exposure conditions has been developed. The formula was derived using measured data of scatter and primary intensity for various exposure conditions. To simplify the formula, a scatter generation model was constructed mathematically which assumes that the scattered fluence in a material depends on three processes: (1) scattering of the primary photons; (2) scattering of previously scattered photons; and (3) attenuation of the scattered photons. Using this model, the dependence of scatter-to-primary ratio on phantom thickness and the tube voltage was expressed by a simple equation. Parameters included in the model were determined from the analysis of measured data. Based on empirical data, it was assumed that the dependence of scatter-to-primary ratio on air gap and field size is not affected by variations of phantom thickness and tube voltage. The final formula, which does not include the term of phantom thickness, gives an estimate of the intensity of the scattered radiation from exposure conditions. The scatter intensity estimated using the formula was compared with measured data for various phantom thicknesses, tube voltages, air gaps, and field sizes; the results show that the intensity of scattered radiation can be estimated within about +/- 10% using predetermined parameters.

Mathematics

Measurements of computed tomography radiation scatter.

This paper describes the measurement of scattered radiation from a computed tomography (CT) scanner in a clinical situation and compares the results with those obtained from a CT performance phantom and with data obtained from CT manufacturers. The results are presented as iso-dose contours. There are significant differences between the data obtained and that supplied by manufacturers, both in the shape of the iso-dose contours and in the nominal values. The observed scatter in a clinical situation (for an abdominal scan) varied between 3% and 430% of the manufacturers' stated values, with a marked reduction in scatter noted at the head and feet of the patient. These differences appear to be due to the fact that manufacturers use CT phantoms to obtain scatter data and these phantoms do not provide the same scatter absorption geometry as patients. CT scatter was observed to increase as scan field size and slice thickness increased, whilst there was little change in scatter with changes in gantry tilt and table slew. Using the iso-dose contours, the orientation of the CT scanner can be optimised with regard to the location and shielding requirements of doors and windows. Additionally, the positioning of staff who must remain in the room during scanning can be optimised to minimise their exposure. The data presented here allows for realistic radiation protection assessments to be made.

Models, Structural

The dependence of the scattered radiation dose to personnel on technique factors in diagnostic radiology.

The measurement and prediction of scattered radiation dose to staff in diagnostic radiology is particularly important, owing to the increased use and complexity of interventional radiology. The air kerma-area product and scattered radiation dose in the vicinity of the patient couch, for both overcouch and undercouch X-ray tube geometries, were simultaneously monitored. The scattered radiation distribution at the couchside was deduced at a range of tube potentials for both overcouch and undercouch X-ray tube geometries. The variation of scattered radiation with field size on both geometries was investigated, as well as the variation with focus-table distance on an overcouch tube geometry. It was discovered that the scattered radiation dose at a point correlated with the air kerma-area product and the result may be used for radiation protection purposes. A method of predicting the scattered radiation dose at a given position is described.

Humans

Scattered radiation from beam modifiers used with megavoltage therapy units.

The magnitude and distribution of scattered radiation produced by scatterers inserted into megavoltage therapy beams, including the beams from an 8MV medical linear accelerator and a 60Co teletherapy unit, were investigated. The intensity distribution of scatter depends on the distance from the scatterer to the measurement plane (retraction distance) and also, to a lesser extent, on the atomic number of the scattering material. The effective energy of the scattered radiation was determined by depth dose measurements in tissue equivalent material using thermoluminescent dosimeters and was found to increase with photon beam energy.

Cobalt Radioisotopes

Exposure of radiologists to scattered radiation during radiodiagnostic examinations.

The exposure to scattered radiation was measured on both hands, the forehead and gonads of six radiologists by means of thermoluminescent dosimeters in two fluoroscopy rooms. Exposure of the forehead was found not to exceed approximately 1% of the maximum permissible exposure (MPD) (3% pursuant to NCRP (recommendations). During examinations of the colon, the exposure of the right hand proved to be significantly higher compared to the left. There was only slight exposure to the gonads as measured behind the apron.

Environmental Exposure

Scattered radiation doses to infants and children during EMI head scans.

Scattered radiation doses to the eyes, thyroid and gonads of infants and children undergoing EMI head scans have been measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters. An average skin dose of 1.3 rad per scan was measured. Results are reported relative to incident skin dose and indicate that it is likely that there is no somatic or genetic hazard due to scattered radiation during an EMI head scan.

Body Height

The intensity of scattered radiation in mammography.

The ratio of scattered-to-primary radiation has been measured for a range of x-ray tube voltages, field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical mammographic situations. The relative intensity of scattered radiation measured was essentially independent of kVp but increased as the phantom thickness and radiation field size increased. For the range of field sizes and phantom thicknesses that typify clinical situations the intensity of scattered radiation varied from about 40 to 85% of the primary beam intensity indicating that only from about 54 to 71% of the primary beam contrast is imaged in mammography.

Mammography

Spectral measurements and Monte Carlo calculations of scattered radiation from therapeutic radiation sources.

Spectral measurements have been made on scattered radiation in a perspex phantom in various depths from a kilocurie 60Co unit and a 6 MeV linear accelerator using a NaI crystal spectrometer. The measurements are compared to Monte Carlo calculations and a good agreement is obtained. The measured total photon distributions make the basis for calculations of absorbed dose and track length distributions in LET and their average values for the different depths and fields.

Cobalt Radioisotopes

Photon absorption measurements of bone density in the presence of scattered radiation.

Bone density measurements are frequently carried out using photon absorptiometry techniques. The analysis of data collected in this way depends upon scatter-free detector signals. In practice the detector and source collimation lead to high levels of scattered radiation being detected. An analysis of the problem using photon transport computer models has shown that the current systems are reasonably insensitive to the scatter contribution except where patient changes occur over a long series of measurements or where new results taken with DEXA are compared with those taken on older systems such as DPA. This is frequently the case since the major body of data related to serial bone density measurements has been achieved with DPA. Inclusion of scattered radiation in the bone density calculations can lead to a 0.5-3.5% reduction between system types. Patient size changes could lead to a reduction in bone density of 0.5% (femoral neck measurement) to 1% (lumbar spine measurement).

Absorptiometry, Photon

Dynamic radiography. An evaluation of cardiac motion by the analysis of scattered radiation during fluoroscopy.

A non-invasive technique, utilizing scattered radiation, has been developed to monitor and measure the motion of the epicardial surface during fluoroscopy. A number of dogs were studied using a monitoring device which consists of an X-Ray beam collimator, collimated sodium iodide dectetors and their associated electronics. The detector signals are computer processed to obtain frequency fingerprints of epicardial motion that may, in the future, indicate the condition of the myocardium.

Computers

Sensitivity of radiographic screens to scattered radiation and its relationship to image contrast.

For incident X-ray beams of greater than 60 kVp, intensifying screens of rare earth phosphors produced higher radiographic image contrast in the presence of scattered radiation than did screens of calcium tungstate. This was attributed to fundamental energy absorption interaction differences. X-ray absorption is a function of the position of the k-absorption edge of the screen phosphor relative to the X-ray energy spectra of the primary and scattered X-rays. Spectral measurements of X-ray absorption showed that the ratio of primary absorption to scattered absorption is higher for the rare earth screens, causing lower relative sensitivity to the non-information-containing scattered radiation from the radiographic object.

Gadolinium

Radiation scattering and the determination of regional cerebral blood flow by radioisotope clearance.

The sources of error involved in the measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with radioactive tracers in man have been studied. This report shows that one of the main sources is the weakness of the energy emitted by the tracers used. Clearance curves obtained with scalp detectors are subject to interference: the radiation measured originates not only in the region studied but also, by scattering, from the rest of the brain. Because of the weak energy levels involved, the scattered radiation contributes significantly to the total measured radiation, and for the same reason it is impossible to distinguish clearly the scattered radiation from that arriving directly. These systematic errors in rCBF measurements were studied quantitatively by in vitro tests and computer simulation, and limits were established for resulting alterations of all varialbes determined (grey and white matter flow, mean flow, compartment weight). It was concluded that the biologic origin of a modification of rCBF can be affirmed only in the case of changes of at least 10%.

Cerebrovascular Circulation

Exposure of the radiologist to scattered radiation during angiography.

At least 90% of the exposure of a radiologist's crystalline lens and right hand to scattered radiation during angiography, investigated by thermoluminescent dosimetry, proves to be due to radiography during and immediately after manual injection of the contrast medium. Therefore, manual injection should be replaced by remotely controled injection by means of an injector. The exposure of a radiologist's gonads (measured behind a lead apron) proves negligible. At the low exposure rates to be expected, integrating measurements should be made.

Angiography

Analysis of the significance of scattered radiation in reduced dose mammography, including magnification effects, scatter suppression, and focal spot and detector blurring.

A systems analysis of reduced dose mammography with scatter removal has quantitatively specified the relationships between the several parameters in mammography systems. While the results are only preliminary in the sense that they need to be proven experimentally, they do seem to provide a good feel for the nature of the important trade-offs. The major uncertainties in the analysis probably have to do with the formal equivalence, that is implicit in the aperture theory, between large area and detail contrast, as well as the output versus focal spot relationship that was adopted. Also, there are important questions about specifying motion unsharpness as a function of exposure time in mammography examinations.

Mammography

Scattered radiation from a neutron collimator.

Fast-neutron beams are being employed in radiotherapy trials and associated radiobiology studies at numerous centers in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Since collimated beams of various sizes and shapes are employed, it is desirable to know the composition of the scattered radiation component contributed by the collimator. A simple method is shown for deducing the field composition in terms of a three-component model, from measurements made with three ionization chambers (tissue-equivalent, graphite, and magnesium). The dose contributed by the scattered radiation in the present example was found to be predominantly due to fast neutrons indistinguishable from those in the primary spectrum (from 35-MeV D+ on Be). This method may prove useful for measurements in phantoms as well.

Fast Neutrons