Investigation of the suitability of new developed epoxy based-phantom for child's tissue equivalency in paediatric radiology


YÜCEL H., Safi A.

NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, vol.53, no.12, pp.4158-4165, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 53 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.net.2021.07.002
  • Journal Name: NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.4158-4165
  • Keywords: Paediatric energy, Epoxy phantom, Tissue equivalency, Dose, Half-value layer (HVL), Hounsfield unit (HU), CONSTRUCTION
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, tissue equivalency (TE) of a newly developed epoxy-based phantom to 3-5 years child's tissue was investigated in paediatric energy range. Epoxy-based TE-phantoms were produced at different glandular/adipose (G/A) ratios of 17/83%, 31/69%, 36/64% and 10/90%. A procedure was developed in which specific amounts of boron, calcium, magnesium, sulphur compounds are mixed with epoxy resin, together with other minor substitutes. In paediatric energy range of 40-60 kV(p) half-value layer (HVL) values were measured and then Hounsfield Units (HU) were determined from Computed Tomography(CT) scans taken in the X-ray energy range of 80-120kV(p). It is found that radiation absorption properties of these phantoms in terms of the measured HVL values related to linear attenuation co-efficients (mu) are very well mimicking a 3 years child's soft tissue in case a ratio of 10/90%G/A. Additionally, the HU values of phantoms were determined from the CT scans. The HU = 47.8 +/- 4.8 value was found for the epoxy-based phantom produced at a ratio of 10/90%G/A. The obtained HVL and HU values also support the suitability of the new epoxy based-phantom produced at a ratio of 10/90%G/A for a satisfactory mimicking a 3 years child's soft tissue by 5%. Thus they can have a potential use to perform the quality controls of medical X-ray systems and dose optimization studies. (C) 2021 Korean Nuclear Society, Published by Elsevier Korea LLC.