Radiation dosimetry in nuclear medicine

Radionuclides are used in nuclear medicine in a variety of diagnostic and t herapeutic procedures. A knowledge of the radiation dose received by differ ent organs in the body is essential to an evaluation of the risks and benef its of any procedure. In this paper, current methods for internal dosimetry are reviewed, as they are applied in nuclear medicine. Particularly, the M edical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) system for dosimetry is explained, an d many of its published resources discussed. Available models representing individuals of different age and gender, including those representing the p regnant woman are described; current trends in establishing models for indi vidual patients are also evaluated. The proper design of kinetic studies fo r establishing radiation doses for radiopharmaceuticals is discussed. An ov erview of how to use information obtained in a dosimetry study, including t hat of the effective dose equivalent (ICRP 30) and effective dose (ICRP 60) , is given. Current trends and issues in internal dosimetry, including the calculation of patient-specific doses and in the use of small scale and mic rodosimetry techniques, are also reviewed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. A ll rights reserved.