Influence of measurement geometry on the estimate of I-131 activity in the thyroid: Monte Carlo simulation of a detector and a phantom

An approach for evaluating the influence of measurement geometry on estimates of I-131 in the thyroid from measurements with survey meters was developed using Monte Carlo simulation of radiation transport in the human body and the radiation detector. The modified Monte Carlo code, EGS4, including a newly developed mathematical model of detector, thyroid gland, and neck, was used for the computations. The approach was tested by comparing calculated and measured differential and integral detector characteristics. This procedure was applied to estimate uncertainties in direct thyroid-measurement results due to geometrical errors.