Optimal configuration for detection of gold nanoparticles in tumors using Kβ X-ray fluorescence line

•Optimal detection of gold nanoparticles in tumors.•Monte Carlo simulation of in vivo XRF spectroscopy in biomedical application.•Improve in the detection limit and uncertainty of Kβ X-ray fluorescence line.

This study examines the increase in the capacity to detect gold nanoparticles in tumor tissue using X-rays from orthovoltage sources. The analyzed methodology considered aspects of geometry and composition in accordance with those required in real clinical treatment applications. The results show that a geometrical backscatter configuration, an incident spectral energy synthesized to optimize statistical parameters and adequate background subtraction allow for a significant increase in the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the secondary Kβ lines. This increase is greater than those currently reported for traditional Kα lines. Furthermore, these conditions also produce an increase in detection sensitivity, less uncertainty in results and shorter exposure times. The proposed methodology was evaluated using XMI-MSIM software for the Monte Carlo simulation fluorescent response of each element. The simulation used tumors of 1–3 cm3, at a depth of 1–5 cm with a 0.1–1% gold nanoparticle concentration. The measurement time and the skin entrance dose by the methodology were considered for allows future quantitative surface scanning implementation.