Experimental basis for absorbed-dose calculations in medical uses of radionuclides

This report reviews the status of the methods used to estimate the radiation absorbed does to humans from internally deposited radionuclides with the emphasis on medical applications. The emphasis is placed on comparing the results of direct measurements with calculations based on mathematical models used to estimate the parameters that enter into dose calculations. The history of internal radiation dosimetry is reviewed and the physical parameters and transport calculations of dosimetry are discussed. Also discussed are the techniques used to measure the activity distributions in humans, and the factors which should be considered in making in-vivo absorbed dose measurements. Comparisons of measured and calculated absorbed dose values in phantom animals and humans are made. A formalism is included that can be used to quantify the radioactivity in irregular geometric shapes using an external measurement technique. 197 references, 6 figures, 4 tables