Accurate radiation dosimetry is a requirement of radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine. It is necessary so as to satisfy the needs of patient safety, therapeutic and diagnostic optimisation, and retrospective epidemiological studies of the biological effects resulting from low absorbed doses of ionising radiation. The radiation absorbed dose received by the patient is the ultimate consequence of the transfer of kinetic energy through collisions between energetic charged particles and atoms of the tissue being traversed. Thus, the ability of the medical physicist to both measure and calculate accurately patient dosimetry demands a deep understanding of the physics of charged particle interactions with matter. Interestingly, the physics of charged particle energy loss has an almost exclusively theoretical basis, thus necessitating an advanced theoretical understanding of the subject in order to apply it appropriately to the clinical regime. ​ Each year, about one-third of the world's population is exposed to ionising radiation as a consequence of diagnostic or therapeutic medical practice. The optimisation of the resulting radiation absorbed dose received by the patient and the clinical outcome sought, whether diagnostic or therapeutic, demands accuracy in the evaluation of the radiation absorbed doses resulting from such exposures. This requirement arrises primarily from two broadly-encompassing factors: The requirement in radiation oncology for a 5% or less uncertainty in the calculation and measurement of absorbed dose so as to optimise the therapeutic ratio of the probabilities of tumour control and normal tissue complications; and The establishment and further refinement of dose reference levels used in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine to minimise the amount of absorbed dose for a required degree of diagnostic benefit. The radiation absorbed dose is the outcome of energetic charged particles decelerating and transferring their kinetic energy to tissue. The calculation of this energy deposition, characterised by the stopping power, is unique in that it is derived entirely from theoretical principles. This dominant role of the associated theory makes its understanding of fundamental to the calculation of the radiation absorbed dose to the patient. The theoretical development of charged particle energy loss recognised in medical physics textbooks is in general limited to basic derivations based upon classical theory, generally a simplified form of the Bohr theory. More advanced descriptions of, for example, the Bethe-Bloch quantum result usually do not go beyond the simple presentation of the result without full explanation of the theoretical development of the theory and consideration of its limitations, its dependencies upon the Born perturbation theory and the various correction factors needed to correct for the failures of that Born theory at higher orders. This is not appropriate for a full understanding of the theory that its importance deserves. The medical radiation physicist should be aware of the details of the theoretical derivations of charged particle energy loss in order to appreciate the levels of accuracy in tabular data provided in reports and the calculation methodologies used in modern Monte Carlo calculations of radiation dosimetry.

Complexities of the requirements for accurate radiation dosimetry evaluation in both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine (including PET) have grown over the past decade. This is due primarily to four factors: Growing consideration of accurate patient-specific treatment planning for radionuclide therapy as a means of improving the therapeutic benefit, development of more realistic anthropomorphic phantoms and their use in estimating radiation transport and dosimetry in patients, Design and use of advanced Monte Carlo algorithms in calculating the above-mentioned radiation transport and dosimetry which require the user to have a thorough understanding of the theoretical principles used in such algorithms, their appropriateness and their limitations, increasing regulatory scrutiny of the radiation dose burden borne by nuclear medicine patients in the clinic and in the development of new radiopharmaceuticals, thus requiring more accurate and robust dosimetry evaluations. An element common to all four factors is the need for precise radiation dosimetry in nuclear medicine, which is fundamental to the therapeutic success of a patient undergoing radionuclide therapy and to the safety of the patients undergoing diagnostic nuclear medicine and PET procedures. As the complexity of internal radiation dosimetry applied to diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine increases, this book will provide the theoretical foundations for: enabling the practising nuclear medicine physicist to understand the dosimetry calculations being used and their limitations, allowing the research nuclear medicine physicist to critically examine the internal radiation dosimetry algorithms available and under development; and providing the developers of Monte Carlo codes for the transport of radiation resulting from internal radioactive sources with the only comprehensive and definitive.

These proceedings present a refereed selection of papers that were given at a symposium held in Vienna in November 2002. Emphasis was placed on dosimetry for therapeutic applications of radiation in medicine. However, some papers deal with dosimetry in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine. Although many dosimetry techniques are discussed, calorimetry is featured in one session exclusively. Many papers deal with dosimetry standards, protocols and comparisons. The need for accurate dosimetry for the treatment of cancer was a common thread throughout the symposium.

A new, comprehensively updated edition of the acclaimed textbook by F.H. Attix (Introduction to Radiological Physics and Radiation Dosimetry) taking into account the substantial developments in dosimetry since its first edition. This monograph covers charged and uncharged particle interactions at a level consistent with the advanced use of the Monte Carlo method in dosimetry; radiation quantities, macroscopic behaviour and the characterization of radiation fields and beams are covered in detail. A number of chapters include addenda presenting derivations and discussions that offer new insight into established dosimetric principles and concepts. The theoretical aspects of dosimetry are given in the comprehensive chapter on cavity theory, followed by the description of primary measurement standards, ionization chambers, chemical dosimeters and solid state detectors. Chapters on applications include reference dosimetry for standard and small fields in radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology and interventional procedures, dosimetry of unsealed and sealed radionuclide sources, and neutron beam dosimetry. The topics are presented in a logical, easy-to-follow sequence and the text is supplemented by numerous illustrative diagrams, tables and appendices. For senior undergraduate- or graduate-level students and professionals.

The topic of this book is the use of scintillating materials in the detection of ionising radiation for medical imaging. The text surveys the state of the art in radiation detectors for medical imaging, followed by an in-depth review of all aspects of the use of scintillating materials. Also included are detailed discussion of ways to improve the performance of existing scintillating materials and completely novel uses of scintillating materials.

This book provides a first comprehensive summary of the basic principles, instrumentation, methods, and clinical applications of three-dimensional dosimetry in modern radiation therapy treatment. The presentation reflects the major growth in the field as a result of the widespread use of more sophisticated radiotherapy approaches such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy and proton therapy, which require new 3D dosimetric techniques to determine very accurately the dose distribution. It is intended as an essential guide for those involved in the design and implementation of new treatment technology and its application in advanced radiation therapy, and will enable these readers to select the most suitable equipment and methods for their application. Chapters include numerical data, examples, and case studies.

Radiation Protection in Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology focuses on the professional, operational, and regulatory aspects of radiation protection. Advances in radiation medicine have resulted in new modalities and procedures, some of which have significant potential to cause serious harm. Examples include radiologic procedures that require ve

Radiation Dosimetry Phosphors provides an overview of the synthesis, properties and applications of materials used for radiation dosimetry and reviews the most appropriate phosphor materials for each radiation dosimetry technique. The book describes the available phosphors used commercially for their applications in the medical field for dose measurements. Although radiation dosimetry phosphors are commercially available, continuous efforts have been made by the worldwide research community to develop new materials or improve already existing materials used in different areas with low or high levels of radiation. Moreover, researchers are still working on developing dosimetric phosphors for OSL, ML, LL and RPL dosimetry. This book provides an overall view of the phosphors available, low cost synthesis methods, mechanisms involved, emerging trends and new challenges for the development of emerging materials for radiation dosimetry. It is suitable for those working in academia and R&D laboratories in the discipline of materials science and engineering, along with practitioners working in radiation and dosimetry. - Provides the fundamental concepts, historical context and review of current phosphors available for radiation dosimetry - Reviews low-cost material methods to synthesize and characterize rare earth doped inorganic phosphors for different kinds of radiation dosimetry techniques - Discusses key barriers and potential solutions for enabling commercial realization phosphors for radiation dosimetry applications

Over the past few decades, the radiological science community has developed and applied numerous models of the human body for radiation protection, diagnostic imaging, and nuclear medicine therapy. The Handbook of Anatomical Models for Radiation Dosimetry provides a comprehensive review of the development and application of these computational mode

This exciting new book equips radiography students and practitioners with the key skills and strategies required to undertake research within medical imaging and radiotherapy and to disseminate the research findings effectively. Quantitative and qualitative research methods are covered, with guidance provided on the entire research process, from literature researching, information management and literature evaluation through to data collection, data analysis, and writing up. Attention is drawn to sampling errors and other potential sources of bias, and the conduct of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses are clearly explained. Specific instruction is given on the structure and presentation of dissertations, writing journal articles for publication, and the dissemination of research findings at conferences. Information on patient and public involvement in research and research funding bodies are also provided with advice on how to maximize the likelihood of success when submitting applications for funding.