Dose calculation in nuclear medicine with magnetic resonance imaging images using Monte Carlo method.

Journal: Radiation protection dosimetry
Published Date:

Abstract

In recent years, scientists have been trying to convert magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images into computed tomography (CT) images for dose calculations while taking advantage of the benefits of MRI images. The main approaches for image conversion are bulk density, Atlas registration, and machine learning. These methods have limitations in accuracy and time consumption and require large datasets to convert images. In this study, the novel 'voxels spawn voxels' technique combined with the 'orthonormalize' feature in Carimas software was developed to build a conversion dataset from MRI intensity to Hounsfield unit value for some structural regions including gluteus maximus, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and colon. The original CT images and the converted MRI images were imported into the Geant4/Gamos software for dose calculation. It gives good results (<5%) in most organs except the intestine (18%).

Authors

  • Le Huy Vu
    Faculty of Nursing-Medical Technology, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, 2 Duong Quang Trung Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City, 72700, Vietnam.
  • Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao
    Nguyen Huu Huan High School, 1 Doan Ket Street, Binh Tho, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, 71351, Vietnam.
  • Nguyen Thien Trung
    TechBase, 67 Le Loi Street, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, 72700, Vietnam.
  • Pham Vo Trung Hau
    Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, 280 An Duong Vuong Street, Ho Chi Minh City, 72700, Vietnam.
  • Truong Thi Hong Loan
    Department of Nuclear Physics, Faculty of Physics and Engineering Physics, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, 72700, Vietnam.