Dose to Medical Personnel

Abstract

Radioiodine ¹³¹I is successfully used in nuclear medicine for the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer. This radionuclide emits β⁻ particles used for the treatment and gamma photons used for diagnosis. The aim of this study is to determine gamma radiation doses received by medical personnel situated at a distance of 1 m from patients having ingested ¹³¹I for the treatment of hyperthyroidism diseases. Indeed, gamma doses were calculated using a Monte Carlo code based on simulating the interaction processes of gamma photons emitted by ¹³¹I in the thyroid gland, air, and an ambient flow meter placed at a distance of 1 m from the thyroid gland to measure the administered ¹³¹I activity. The thyroid volume of patients was measured by means of a gamma camera. Gamma dose equivalent rates were measured by means of an ambient flow meter situated at a distance of 1 m from the thyroid of the treated patients. Data obtained by the Monte Carlo and experimental methods were found to be in good agreement with each other.