In Vivo Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Tooth Dosimetry: Dependence of Radiation-Induced Signal Amplitude on the Enamel Thickness and Surface Area of Ex Vivo Human Teeth

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Biodosimetry with Human Teeth: A Crucial Technique for Acute and Chronic Exposure Assessment

ABSTRACT

Radiation exposure is a primary concern in emergency response scenarios and long-term health assessments. Accurate quantification of radiation doses is critical for informed decision-making and patient care. This paper reviews the dose reconstruction technique using both X- and Q-bands, with tooth enamel as a reliable dosimeter. Tooth enamel, due to its exceptional resistance to alteration over time, offers a unique opportunity for assessing both acute and chronic radiation exposures. This review delves into the principles underlying enamel dosimetry, the mechanism of radiation interactions, and dose retention in tooth enamel. We explore state-of-the-art analytical methods, such as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, that accurately estimate low and high doses in acute and chronic exposure. Furthermore, we discuss the applicability of tooth enamel dosimetry in various scenarios, ranging from historical radiological incidents to recent nuclear events or radiological incidents. The ability to reconstruct radiation doses from dental enamel provides a valuable tool for epidemiological studies, validating the assessment of health risks associated with chronic exposures and aiding in the early detection and management of acute radiation incidents. This paper underscores the significance of tooth enamel as an essential medium for radiation dose reconstruction and its broader implications for enhancing radiation protection, emergency response, and public health preparedness. Incorporating enamel EPR dosimetry into standard protocols has the potential to transform the field of radiation assessment, ensuring more accurate and timely evaluations of radiation exposure and its associated risks.

Enhancing Precision in L-band Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Tooth Dosimetry: Incorporating Digital Image Processing and Radiation Therapy Plans for Geometric Correction

ABSTRACT

Following unforeseen exposure to radiation, quick dose determination is essential to prioritize potential patients that require immediate medical care. L-band electron paramagnetic resonance tooth dosimetry can be efficiently used for rapid triage as this poses no harm to the human incisor, although geometric variations among human teeth may hinder accurate dose estimation. Consequently, we propose a practical geometric correction method using a mobile phone camera. Donated human incisors were irradiated with calibrated 6-MV photon beam irradiation, and dose-response curves were developed by irradiation with a predetermined dose using custom-made poly(methyl methacrylate) slab phantoms. Three radiation treatment plans for incisors were selected and altered to suit the head phantom. The mean doses on tooth structures were calculated using a commercial treatment planning system, and the electron paramagnetic resonance signals of the incisors were measured. The enamel area was computed from camera-acquired tooth images. The relative standard uncertainty was rigorously estimated both with and without geometric correction. The effects on the electron paramagnetic resonance signal caused by axial and rotational movements of tooth samples were evaluated through finite element analysis. The mean absolute deviations of mean doses both with and without geometric correction showed marginal improvement. The average relative differences without and with geometric correction significantly decreased from 21.0% to 16.8% (p = 0.01). The geometric correction method shows potential in improving dose precision measurement with minimal delay. Furthermore, our findings demonstrated the viability of using treatment planning system doses in dose estimation for L-band electron paramagnetic resonance tooth dosimetry.

Frequency-fixed motion compensation system for in-vivo electron paramagnetic resonance tooth dosimetry

This article describes the design process for a motion compensation system that can suppress the spectral distortion caused by human motion and breathing during in-vivo electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy on an intact incisor. The developed system consists of two elements: an electronically controlled tunable resonator and an automatic control circuit (ACC). The resonator can modify the resonant frequency and impedance by tuning and matching the voltage, while the ACC can generate a feedback signal using phase-sensitive detection (PSD). The signal is transferred into the resonator to maintain the critical coupling state. The tunable frequency range of the resonator was measured at over 10 MHz, offering approximately eight times the required range. The bandwidth of the resonator fluctuated in a negligible range (0.14% relative standard error) following the resonant frequency. With the feedback signal on, in-vivo EPR measurements were demonstrated to be a stable baseline with 35% higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). When one incisor sample was irradiated by an X-ray instrument, the EPR signal responses to the absorbed doses of 0-10 Gy exhibited high linearity (R2 = 0.994). In addition, the standard error of inverse prediction was estimated to be 0.35 Gy. The developed system achieved a discrimination ability of 2 Gy, which is required for triage in large-scale radiation accidents. Moreover, the compensation is fully automated, meaning that the system can be operated with simple training in an emergency.

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Characterization of Sodium- and Carbonate-Containing Hydroxyapatite Cement

Ionizing radiation-induced paramagnetic defects in calcified tissues like tooth enamel are indicators of irradiation dose. Hydroxyapatite (HA), the principal constituent in these materials, incorporates a variety of anions (CO₃^2-, F^-, Cl^-, and SiO₄^4-) and cations (Mn²⁺, Li⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mg²⁺, and Na⁺) that directly or indirectly contribute to the formation of stable paramagnetic centers upon irradiation. Here, we used an underexploited synthesis method based on the ambient temperature setting reaction of a self-hardening calcium phosphate cement (CPC) to create carbonate-containing hydroxyapatite (CHA) and investigate its paramagnetic properties following γ-irradiation. Powder X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopic characterization of the hardened CHA samples indicate the formation of pure B-type CHA cement. CHA samples exposed to γ-radiation doses ranging from 1 Gy to 150 kGy exhibited an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal from an orthorhombic CO₂^•- free radical. At γ-radiation doses from 30 to 150 kGy, a second signal emerged that is assigned to the CO₃^•- free radical. We observed that the formation of this second species is dose-dependent, which provided a means to extend the useful dynamic range of irradiated CHA to doses >30 kGy. These results indicate that CHA synthesized via a CPC cement is a promising substrate for EPR-based dosimetry. Further studies on the CHA cement are underway to determine the suitability of these materials for a range of biological and industrial dosimetry applications.

The future of biological dosimetry in mass casualty radiation emergency response, personalized radiation risk estimation and space radiation protection

PURPOSE

The aim of this brief personal, high level review is to consider the state of the art for biological dosimetry for radiation routine and emergency response, and the potential future progress in this fascinating and active field. Four areas in which biomarkers may contribute to scientific advancement through improved dose and exposure characterization, as well as potential contributions to personalized risk estimation, are considered: emergency dosimetry, molecular epidemiology, personalized medical dosimetry, and space travel.

CONCLUSION

Ionizing radiation biodosimetry is an exciting field which will continue to benefit from active networking and collaboration with the wider fields of radiation research and radiation emergency response to ensure effective, joined up approaches to triage; radiation epidemiology to assess long term, low dose, radiation risk; radiation protection of workers, optimization and justification of radiation for diagnosis or treatment of patients in clinical uses, and protection of individuals traveling to space.

Dependence of Radiation-induced Signals on Geometry of Tooth Enamel Using a 1.15 GHz Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectrometer: Improvement of Dosimetric Accuracy

ABSTRACT

We aim to improve the accuracy of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-based in vivo tooth dosimetry using the relationship between tooth geometry and radiation-induced signals (RIS). A homebuilt EPR spectrometer at L-band frequency of 1.15 GHz originally designed for non-invasive and in vivo measurements of intact teeth was used to measure the RIS of extracted human teeth. Twenty human central incisors were scanned by microCT and irradiated by 220 kVp x-rays. The RISs of the samples were measured by the EPR spectrometer as well as simulated by using the finite element analysis of the electromagnetic field. A linear relationship between simulated RISs and tooth geometric dimensions, such as enamel area, enamel volume, and labial enamel volume, was confirmed. The dose sensitivity was quantified as a slope of the calibration curve (i.e., RIS vs. dose) for each tooth sample. The linear regression of these dose sensitivities was established for each of three tooth geometric dimensions. Based on these findings, a method for the geometry correction was developed by use of expected dose sensitivity of a certain tooth for one of the tooth geometric dimensions. Using upper incisors, the mean absolute deviation (MAD) without correction was 1.48 Gy from an estimated dose of 10 Gy; however, the MAD corrected by enamel area, volume, and labial volume was reduced to 1.04 Gy, 0.77 Gy, and 0.83 Gy, respectively. In general, the method corrected by enamel volume showed the best accuracy in this study. This homebuilt EPR spectrometer for the purpose of non-invasive and in vivo tooth dosimetry was successfully tested for achieving measurements in situ. We demonstrated that the developed correction method could reduce dosimetric uncertainties resulting from the variations in tooth geometric dimensions.