Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement

Journal of Radiation Safety and Measurement

Internal dosimetry calculations of lutetium-177 radionuclide used in radiosynovectomy using Monte Carlo code

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Nafise Salek 1
Sara Vosoughi 2
Samaneh Zolghadri 2
Mohsen Mehrabi 2
Hassan Yousefnia 2
1 Nuclear Fuel Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
2 Radiation Application Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
10.22052/rsm.2025.256486.1093
Abstract
This study utilized the Monte Carlo simulation code MCNPX and the MIRD internal dosimetry approach to evaluate the absorbed dose distribution of the radionuclide Lutetium-177 in radiosynovectomy. The primary objective was to analyze the dose distribution pattern in the target tissue (synovial epithelial cells), critical tissues (synovium, articular cartilage, and joint bone), and other vital organs involved in this therapeutic method. The results of the depth-dose profile in the synovial joint indicated a maximum dose concentration in the superficial layers of the synovium, with an exponential dose reduction as depth increased. For an accumulated activity of 1 MBq, the absorbed dose in the synovial tissue was approximately 3.85×10⁻³ mGy/MBq, while in distant organs such as the liver it was about 1.15×10⁻⁹ mGy/MBq, indicating a high concentration of radiation in the target region and minimal exposure to other organs. This pattern confirms high therapeutic selectivity, ensuring that the dose received by adjacent healthy tissues remains within safe limits. Additionally, the absorbed dose in distant organs such as the liver, kidneys, and spleen were negligible. The validation process was conducted by comparing the dose values calculated by MCNPX with reference data from ICRP. The agreement between the results demonstrated the high accuracy of the numerical simulation and the reliability of the findings. The results affirm that Lutetium-177 radiosynovectomy, as a safe and targeted strategy, offers significant potential for optimizing treatment protocols and reducing side effects by focusing radiation optimally on pathological tissues while minimizing unnecessary exposure to healthy structures. This study provides a scientific foundation for enhancing clinical efficacy in the management of synovitis.
Keywords
Internal dosimetry
Radio synovectomy
Lutetium-177
MCNPX Simulation
Specific absorbed fraction (SAF)
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