A revised model for the calculation of absorbed energy in the gastrointestinal tract. 1996

J W Poston, and K A Kodimer, and W E Bolch, and J W Poston
Argonne National Laboratory-West, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2528, USA.

The goal of this research was to develop a more complete gastrointestinal (GI) tract model for use in internal dose assessment. This paper summarizes the development of a revised mathematical model of the GI tract. The current GI tract model assumes the wall can be represented as a single soft tissue layer without regard to the radiosensitivity of the cells. The goal of the GI tract revision was to develop geometric regions that separate the radiosensitive cells from the less radiosensitive cells. Once the model was revised, it was coded into the Electron Gamma Shower 4 (EGS4) computational package for calculation of photon and electron absorbed fraction values. Photon absorbed fraction values were calculated for twelve discrete energies. For the photon absorbed fraction calculations, the EGS4 program was run so that secondary particles created in photon interactions were followed using the electron tracking capabilities of EGS4. The results of the photon absorbed fraction calculations provided better estimates of the energy deposited in the radiosensitive cells when the target organ was the source. In cases where the target organ was not the source, the photon absorbed fraction values did not provide better estimates than those obtained using the current GI tract model. An increase in the number of photon histories should provide better estimates of the photon absorbed fraction for these cases. Electron absorbed fraction values also were calculated for twelve discrete electron energies. The results of these calculations provided the expected pattern of energy deposition and better estimates than those currently available. The annual limit on intake was recalculated for a single radionuclide to demonstrate the affect of these improved absorbed fraction values on internal dose assessment. The radionuclide was selected for two reasons: 1) it was a beta emitting radionuclide; and 2) the annual limit on intake for ingestion was based on the non-stochastic committed dose equivalent limit to the lower large intestine. The calculated annual limit on intake was found to be three times greater than the annual limit on intake provided in ICRP Publication 30. There are many radionuclides that have a section of the GI tract as the limiting organ for ingestion. It is expected that the annual limit on intake value for these radionuclides would increase when the revised GI tract model is employed for internal dose assessment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009010 Monte Carlo Method In statistics, a technique for numerically approximating the solution of a mathematical problem by studying the distribution of some random variable, often generated by a computer. The name alludes to the randomness characteristic of the games of chance played at the gambling casinos in Monte Carlo. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed, 1993) Method, Monte Carlo
D011829 Radiation Dosage The amount of radiation energy that is deposited in a unit mass of material, such as tissues of plants or animal. In RADIOTHERAPY, radiation dosage is expressed in gray units (Gy). In RADIOLOGIC HEALTH, the dosage is expressed by the product of absorbed dose (Gy) and quality factor (a function of linear energy transfer), and is called radiation dose equivalent in sievert units (Sv). Sievert Units,Dosage, Radiation,Gray Units,Gy Radiation,Sv Radiation Dose Equivalent,Dosages, Radiation,Radiation Dosages,Units, Gray,Units, Sievert
D004064 Digestive System A group of organs stretching from the MOUTH to the ANUS, serving to breakdown foods, assimilate nutrients, and eliminate waste. In humans, the digestive system includes the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT and the accessory glands (LIVER; BILIARY TRACT; PANCREAS). Ailmentary System,Alimentary System
D004583 Electrons Stable elementary particles having the smallest known negative charge, present in all elements; also called negatrons. Positively charged electrons are called positrons. The numbers, energies and arrangement of electrons around atomic nuclei determine the chemical identities of elements. Beams of electrons are called CATHODE RAYS. Fast Electrons,Negatrons,Positrons,Electron,Electron, Fast,Electrons, Fast,Fast Electron,Negatron,Positron
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D017785 Photons Discrete concentrations of energy, apparently massless elementary particles, that move at the speed of light. They are the unit or quantum of electromagnetic radiation. Photons are emitted when electrons move from one energy state to another. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed)

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