Table 1 Overview of dosimetry methods

Monte Carlo simulation

Simulation of certain number of particles. Manual particle energy cut-off values

Very accurate, includes tissue density heterogeneities and cross-fire dose

Many simulation parameters. Long-calculation times

Not applicable for clinical routine. Calculation of S values and dose kernels

S values

Homogeneous radioactivity distribution in tissue

Fast, easy, commonly used and generally accepted

Based on reference phantoms, mean absorbed dose per tumour or organ

Organs and lesions without superimposition. Toxicity studies

Dose kernels

Homogeneous radioactivity distribution within one voxel, infinite homogeneous tissue density

DVH and isodose lines, patient-specific

Calculated for each radionuclide, not tissue specific. Mean absorbed dose per voxel

Patient-specific voxel-based tumour and normal tissue dosimetry

Local energy deposition

All energy is absorbed in the source voxel

Fast

Not suitable for photons

Primarily for β⁻- and α-emitters