Physical dosimetry and mathematical dose calculation in nuclear medicine: A comparative study

OBJECTIVES: This paper addresses a comparison between physical dosimetry and mathematical dose calculation in nuclear medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dose rate was calculated by mathematical external dose calculation formula and by physical dosimetry from the surface of 38 adult patients’ body referred to nuclear medicine department. Results of the methods were compared and correlation and regression tests were also performed. RESULTS: Although the physical dosimetry data in this study are in good consistency with other researches, they are much lower than the results of mathematical dose calculation formula. The correlation coefficient between measured dose rate with calculated values derived by mathematical formula was found to be 0.852 (P value=0.148). CONCLUSION: It seems that physical dosimetry data are more accurate than the results of mathematical dose calculation. In case of using mathematical dose calculation formula, other correction factors should be considered and applied for getting reliable data.