Monte Carlo techniques in medical radiation physics

Abstract

The author's main purpose is to review the techniques and applications of the Monte Carlo method in medical radiation physics since Raeside's review article in 1976. Emphasis is given to applications where proton and/or electron transport in matter is simulated. Some practical aspects of Monte Carlo practice, mainly related to random numbers and other computational details, are discussed in connection with common computing facilities available in hospital environments. Basic aspects of electron and photon transport are reviewed, followed by the presentation of the Monte Carlo codes widely available in the public domain. Applications in different areas of medical radiation physics, such as nuclear medicine, diagnostic X-rays, radiotherapy physics (including dosimetry), and radiation protection, and also microdosimetry and electron microscopy, are presented. Actual and future trends in the field, like Inverse Monte Carlo methods, vectorization of codes and parallel processors calculations are also discussed.