![radiation exposure x-ray testicle radiation exposure x-ray testicle](https://els-jbs-prod-cdn.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/cms/attachment/79a47f7f-446c-4360-af2d-02c8163b33f2/gr1.jpg)
Alternatively, the traditional 15,000 Ci source used to generate CT scans would need to be replaced with a 6,230,000 Ci source. Although the pulse from the highest energy CT was unable to result in an immediate reduction of sperm concentration, analysis shows continued exposure to this source for 413 seconds would result in a sufficient dose to cause noticeable infertility.While this dosage does provide damage to sperm, there was not sufficient radiation to result in noticeable infertility. The initial pulse from a 120 kV CT machine of 1-second duration resulted in an absorbed dose of 1.45 rad.This assumption in the hand calculation neglected photons that would have otherwise reflected from the conical stainless-steel collimator toward the target area. Instead of accounting for reflection from the conical shielding, the assumption was made that an isotropic source was placed, unshielded, next to the phantom. The discrepancy between the hand calculation and MCNP simulation is derived from the assumptions made in collimating the Co-60 source.However, further assessment of the pulse to the entire abdominal region could yield comparable results. Dose assessment was limited to a non-critical organ, thus the lethal dose to 50% of the population within 30 days was not applicable.Former limits suggest that doses administered to the testicles from the 6.2 million Ci source would remain below the limits for treating testicular cancer. The dose limit used in radiotherapy to treat testicular tumors is 20-30 Gy reported by Jonska-Gmyreka et al.However, collimation, variable sources, and smaller duration pulses are optimized in imaging techniques to reduce the dose. This value is significant when compared to the dose received from a pelvic CT scan, 10 mSv.
![radiation exposure x-ray testicle radiation exposure x-ray testicle](https://www.futurity.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/x-rays-testicular-cancer-ct-scans-medical-imaging_1600.jpg)
In one second, the equivalent dose simulated to the testicles was 14.5 mSv.The incident radiation was then recorded and multiplied by the activity of the source to return from normalized values. PIMAL was used in conjunction with MCNP to simulate the 120 kV source of X-rays incident on the lower abdominal region of an adult phantom.The variable voltage of CT machines was adopted to be the 120 kV, and the source term was adopted to be Co-60 with activity of 15,000 Ci. To accurately simulate doses up to 600 rad, technology associated with CT was employed.However, decreases in sperm count after exposure to 600 rad are noticeable immediately and the number of mature sperm is effectively null after 30 days. The sperm count in males is adversely affected by radiation doses exceeding 100 rad.Therefore, it is suggested that the simulation assess X-ray energy that results in a sufficiently high dose. The statement made after exposure to an apparently high energy X-ray beam suggests that the gonads were subject to doses that resulted in reduced fertility.A scene from Futurama where one character pulses an X-ray flashlight on the other lower abdominal region results in the claim “ow, my sperm!” Consequently, the scene from this show was modeled to assess the dose received to the gonads.įigure 1 (above): Futurama X-ray exposure event.Therefore, this poster will analyze a popular media example of radiation to assess the accuracy of claims made. Popular media often misrepresents radiation and exposure events, creating an unjustified aura of concern for radioactive material.Analysis through hand calculation and phantom simulation indicated that damage inflicted to the testes needs to originate from a source that is approximately 413 times greater than that of a 120 kV CT machine.An adult male phantom was used to represent the exposed character and a Computed Tomography (CT) source of 120 kV was used to replicate the X-ray pulse. The exposure event provided was simulated using the Phantom with Moving Arms and Legs (PIMAL) and Monte Carlo N- Particle (MCNP) software.Specifically, the exposure event provided in a scene from Futurama suggested that when the testes were exposed to a pulse of X-rays the sperm were destroyed. Department of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University