invivodosimetria

Invivodosimetria refers to the measurement of radiation dose within a living organism. This is distinct from ex vivo dosimetry, which measures dose in a laboratory setting, or in vitro dosimetry, which assesses dose in cells or tissues outside of a living system. The primary goal of invivodosimetria is to accurately determine the radiation dose absorbed by specific tissues or organs during medical procedures such as radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, or accidental exposures.

Accurate invivodosimetria is crucial for optimizing radiation therapy treatments, ensuring that cancerous tumors receive a sufficient dose for effective treatment while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues, thereby reducing side effects. In diagnostic imaging, it helps to assess radiation risks to patients and to establish guidelines for safe imaging practices. For accidental exposures, invivodosimetria can aid in assessing the severity of the radiation injury and guiding medical management.

Various techniques are employed for invivodosimetria. These include the use of dosimeters placed directly on or within the body, such as thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs), or semiconductor detectors. Additionally, computational methods, such as Monte Carlo simulations, are used to model radiation transport through the body and estimate dose distributions. Advanced imaging techniques, like positron emission tomography (PET) combined with CT or MRI, can also provide information that aids in dose estimation. Challenges in invivodosimetria include the complexity of the human body, variations in tissue composition, and the difficulty of placing dosimeters in precise locations within internal organs.