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. 2023 Mar 3:11:1136864.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1136864. eCollection 2023.

Utilization of three-layers heterogeneous mammographic phantom through MCNPX code for breast and chest radiation dose levels at different diagnostic X-ray energies: A Monte Carlo simulation study

Ghada ALMisned  1 , Wiam Elshami  2 , G Kilic  3 , Elaf Rabaa  2 , Hesham M H Zakaly  4   5 , Antoaneta Ene  6 , H O Tekin  2   7
Affiliations

Utilization of three-layers heterogeneous mammographic phantom through MCNPX code for breast and chest radiation dose levels at different diagnostic X-ray energies: A Monte Carlo simulation study

Ghada ALMisned et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: We report the breast and chest radiation dose assessment for mammographic examinations using a three-layer heterogeneous breast phantom through the MCNPX Monte Carlo code.

Methods: A three-layer heterogeneous phantom along with compression plates and X-ray source are modeled. The validation of the simulation code is obtained using the data of AAPM TG-195 report. Deposited energy amount as a function of increasing source energy is calculated over a wide energy range. The behavioral changes in X-ray absorption as well as transmission are examined using the F6 Tally Mesh extension of MCNPX code. Moreover, deposited energy amount is calculated for modeled body phantom in the same energy range.

Results and discussions: The diverse distribution of glands has a significant impact on the quantity of energy received by the various breast layers. In layers with a low glandular ratio, low-energy primary X-ray penetrability is highest. In response to an increase in energy, the absorption in layers with a low glandular ratio decreased. This results in the X-rays releasing their energy in the bottom layers. Additionally, the increase in energy increases the quantity of energy absorbed by the tissues around the breast.

Keywords: MCNPX; Monte Carlo (MC); X-ray; breast dosimetry; mammography.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
2-D view of modeled MCNPX simulation setup from (A) breast phantom (B) breast phantom with body phantom and compression plates (via MCNPX Visual Editor X22S).
Figure 2
Figure 2
3-D view of modeled MCNPX simulation setup from (A) breast phantom (B) breast phantom with body phantom and compression plates (via MCNPX Visual Editor X22S).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Appearance of modeled standard breast phantom in AAPM TG-195 report for validation phase of MCNPX.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Appearance of X-ray source. (B) Lateral view for measurement points.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Variation of deposited energy (MeV/g) as a function of increasing energy (keV) for different breast layers.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Variation of total deposited energy (MeV/g) as a function of increasing energy (keV).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Average deposited energy amount (%) in different breast layers.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Variation of deposited energy amount (%) in modeled body phantom.
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Grants and funding

Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project Number (PNURSP2023R149), Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.