An image-based skeletal model for the ICRP reference adult male—specific absorbed fractions for neutron-generated recoil protons

• Published in: Physics in medicine & biology Vol. 56; no. 21; pp. 6857 - 6872
• Main Authors: Jokisch, D W, Rajon, D A, Bahadori, A A, Bolch, W E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England IOP Publishing 07.11.2011
• Subjects: Absorption; Adult; Algorithms; Bone and Bones - diagnostic imaging; Bone and Bones - pathology; Bone and Bones - radiation effects; Bone Marrow - pathology; Bone Marrow - radiation effects; Computer Simulation; Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Diagnostic Imaging - standards; Humans; Male; Models, Biological; Muscle, Skeletal - diagnostic imaging; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Muscle, Skeletal - radiation effects; Neutrons; Protons; Radiation Dosage; Radiography
• ISSN: 0031-9155; 1361-6560
• DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/56/21/007

Recoiling hydrogen nuclei are a principle mechanism for energy deposition from incident neutrons. For neutrons incident on the human skeleton, the small sizes of two contrasting media (trabecular bone and marrow) present unique problems due to a lack of charged-particle (protons) equilibrium. Specific absorbed fractions have been computed for protons originating in the human skeletal tissues for use in computing neutron dose response functions. The proton specific absorbed fractions were computed using a pathlength-based range-energy calculation in trabecular skeletal samples of a 40 year old male cadaver.