몬테칼로 기법을 이용한 kV, MV X선에서의 선량증가 효과 비교 평가

Abstract

Monte Carlo 기법을 활용하여 60, 90, 120, 150 kV와 6, 15 MV X선에서의 선량증가 효과를 평가하였다. MCNPX code를 이용하여 ICRU slab 모의피폭체를 전산모사하였으며, 금, 가돌리늄, 산화철의 선량증가 물질을 사용하였다. 입사에너지의 전자평형 지점을 고려하여 모의피폭체의 표면 및 5 cm 깊이에 5, 10, 15, 20 mg/g 농도의 물질을 삽입하였으며, 선량증가 물질이 없을 때를 바탕으로 하여 깊이에 따른 흡수에너지 변화와 선량증가효과비를 통하여 정량적 평가를 시행하였다. 선량증가 물질의 농도가 높을수록, 금, 가돌리늄, 산화철 순으로 높은 선량증가 효과를 보였으며, kV X선에서는 입사에너지가 낮을수록, 물질의 원자 내 전리 퍼텐셜에 가까울수록 높은 선량증가 효과를 보였다. MV X선에서는 15 MV에 비해 6 MV에서 높은 선량증가 현상을 나타내었으며, kV X선에 비해서는 현저히 낮은 결과를 확인할 수 있었다. Monte Carlo simulations were used to assess dose enhancement effects for 60-, 90-, 120-, and 150-kV X-rays, and for 6- and 15-MV X-rays. The MCNPX code was used for a computer simulation of the ICRU slab phantom, and gold, gadolinium, and iron oxide (Fe2O3) were employed as dose enhancement agents. In consideration of the buildup region of the incident energy, agent concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/g were inserted on the surface of the phantom at a depth of 5 cm. Based on baseline values obtained in the absence of dose enhancement agents, a quantitative analysis was performed by evaluating depth-dependent changes in the absorbed energy and the dose enhancement factor (DEF). A higher concentration of dose enhancement agents led to a greater dose enhancement effect with iron oxide, gadolinium, and gold in descending order. For kilovoltage (kV) X-rays, as the incident energy was decreased and as the energy became closer to the ionization potential of the atoms in the enhancement agent, the dose enhancement effect increased. In the megavoltage (MV) X-ray range, dose enhancement was higher at 6 MV compared with 15 MV. However, the overall dose enhancements were significantly lower compared to the results obtained with kV X-rays.