Fabrication of a Beeswax-Based Chest Phantom Incorporating Anadara antiquata Shell-Derived CaCO3 for Adult Lung Cancer Simulation

Lung cancer remains a major cause of cancer mortality, while chest CT requires careful radiation dose optimization. Commercial anthropomorphic phantoms are costly, and shell-derived bone substitutes for chest phantoms with simulated pulmonary nodules remain insufficiently evaluated. This study developed and assessed a low-cost adult chest phantom using locally available materials: polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for soft tissue, polyurethane (PU) foam for lung tissue, calcium carbonate derived from Anadara antiquata shell waste for bone, and beeswax for a simulated pulmonary nodule. The phantom was scanned using a 128-slice Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) scanner with Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) at 80, 100, and 120 kV. Radiometric performance was evaluated using CT numbers, Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and Contrast-to-Noise Ratio (CNR). Measured CT numbers were −62.59 ± 17.59 HU for beeswax, −915.34 ± 15.65 HU for lung tissue, 113.48 ± 14.64 HU for soft tissue, and 1155.35 ± 170.70 HU for bone. These values were compared with published tissue attenuation ranges. The phantom shows potential for CT image quality assessment and optimization, although further validation is needed to improve lesion representation and establish broader clinical applicability. This approach also explores the reuse of shell waste.