Work

Development and radiological characterization of 3D printed phantoms for potential application in dosimetry of occupationally exposed individuals handling 131I in nuclear medicine services

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Radioiodine therapy with 131 I is widely used in nuclear medicine for treating benign thyroid disorders (e.g., Graves' disease, Plummer's disease, toxic nodules) and thyroid cancers such as papillary, follicular, and differentiated carcinomas, including metastatic disease. Given the specific affinity of iodine for thyroid tissue, professionals handling 131 I face risks of occupational exposure and contamination. This study aimed to develop and radiologically characterize 3D printed phantoms for dosimetry of occupationally exposed individuals in nuclear medicine services. We selected the head and neck region for reproduction, using a CIRS 711 ATOM MAX phantom (CIRS Inc.) as a reference model provided by the Additive Manufacturing and Health Innovation Laboratory, Federal Institute of Santa Catarina. We segmented computed tomography data and tested multiple materials for fabrication, including polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), resin, XCT-A, and XCT-0. A resin-printed thyroid structure was also incorporated to simulate anatomical features. We characterized the phantom by measuring Hounsfield Unit (HU) values on tomography to evaluate tissue equivalence. The PLA phantom showed 82.5 HU (shell), 1285.2 HU (cortical bone), and 452.5 HU (trabecular bone). ABS presented −42.6 HU, 1645.7 HU, and 991.7 HU, respectively. Resin presented 142.2 HU, 961 HU, and 596.6 HU. Results demonstrate that the produced phantoms yield HU values comparable to those of human tissues, supporting their suitability as tools for future dosimetric studies. These 3D-printed models provide a practical, customizable, and cost-effective tool for evaluating radiation doses in occupationally exposed workers handling 131 I, contributing to improved radiation protection strategies in nuclear medicine. This work establishes the manufacturing methodology and physical validation required prior to clinical dosimetric evaluation and implementation.

Source: Radiation Physics and Chemistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2026.114482