SPECT-CT: applications in musculoskeletal radiology.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Saha S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3830427 | biostudies-other | 2013 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:Functional nuclear medicine imaging with single-photon emission CT (SPECT) in combination with anatomical CT has been commercially available since the beginning of this century. The combination of the two modalities has improved both the sensitivity and specificity of many clinical applications and CT in conjunction with SPECT that allows for spatial overlay of the SPECT data on good anatomy images. Introduction of diagnostic CT units as part of the SPECT/CT system has also potentially allowed for a more cost-efficient use of the equipment. Most of the SPECT systems available are based on the well-known Anger camera principle with NaI(Tl) as a scintillation material, parallel-hole collimators and multiple photomultiplier tubes, which, from the centroid of the scintillation light, determine the position of an event. Recently, solid-state detectors using cadmium-zinc-telluride became available and clinical SPECT cameras employing multiple pinhole collimators have been developed and introduced in the market. However, even if new systems become available with better hardware, the SPECT reconstruction will still be affected by photon attenuation and scatter and collimator response. Compensation for these effects is needed even for qualitative studies to avoid artefacts leading to false positives. This review highlights the recent progress for both new SPECT cameras systems as well as for various data-processing and compensation methods.
| S-EPMC5966195 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundIterative computed tomography (CT) image reconstruction shows high potential for the preservation of image quality in diagnostic CT while reducing patients' exposure; it has become available for low-dose CT (LD-CT) in high-end hybrid imaging systems (e.g. single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT]-CT).PurposeTo examine the effect of an iterative CT reconstruction algorithm on image quality, image noise, detectability, and the reader's confidence for LD-CT data by a subjective assessment.Material and methodsThe LD-CT data were validated for 40 patients examined by an abdominal hybrid SPECT-CT (U = 120 kV, I = 40 mA, pitch = 1.375). LD-CT was reconstructed using either filtered back projection (FBP) or an iterative image reconstruction algorithm (Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction [ASIR]®) with different parameters (ASIR levels 50% and 100%). The data were validated by two independent blinded readers using a scoring system for image quality, image noise, detectability, and reader confidence, for a predefined set of 16 anatomic substructures.ResultsThe image quality was significantly improved by iterative reconstruction of the LD-CT data compared with FBP (P ≤ 0.0001). While detectability increased in only 2/16 structures (P ≤ 0.03), the reader's confidence increased significantly due to iterative reconstruction (P ≤ 0.002). Meanwhile, at the ASIR level of 100%, the detectability in bone structure was highly reduced (P = 0.003).ConclusionAn ASIR level of 50% represents a good compromise in abdominal LD-CT image reconstruction. The specific ASIR level improved image quality (reduced image noise) and reader confidence, while preserving detectability of bone structure.
| S-EPMC6587393 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveWith improvements in PET/CT and PET/MRI over the last decade, as well as increased understanding of the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal diseases, there is an emerging potential for PET as a primary or complementary modality in the management of rheumatologic and orthopedic conditions.ConclusionWe discuss the role of PET/CT and PET/MRI in nononcologic musculoskeletal disorders, including inflammatory and infectious conditions and postoperative complications. There is great potential for an increased role for PET to serve as a primary or complementary modality in the management of orthopedic and rheumatologic disorders.
| S-EPMC7469956 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAccurate QSPECT is crucial in dosimetry-based, personalized radiopharmaceutical therapy with 177Lu and other radionuclides. We compared the quantitative performance of three NaI(Tl)-crystal SPECT/CT systems equipped with low-energy high-resolution collimators from two vendors (Siemens Symbia T6; GE Discovery 670 and NM/CT 870 DR).MethodsUsing up to 14 GBq of 99mTc in planar mode, we determined the calibration factor and dead-time constant under the assumption that these systems have a paralyzable behaviour. We monitored their response when one or both detectors were activated. QSPECT capability was validated by SPECT/CT imaging of a customized NEMA phantom containing up to 17 GBq of 99mTc. Acquisitions were reconstructed with a third-party ordered subset expectation maximization algorithm.ResultsThe Siemens system had a higher calibration factor (100.0 cps/MBq) and a lower dead-time constant (0.49 μs) than those from GE (75.4-87.5 cps/MBq; 1.74 μs). Activities of up to 3.3 vs. 2.3-2.7 GBq, respectively, were quantifiable by QSPECT before the observed count rate plateaued or decreased. When used in single-detector mode, the QSPECT capability of the former system increased to 5.1 GBq, whereas that of the latter two systems remained independent of the detectors activation mode.ConclusionDespite similar hardware, SPECT/CT systems' response can significantly differ at high count rate, which impacts their QSPECT capability in a post-therapeutic setting.
| S-EPMC8557232 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) effectively treats unresectable primary and metastatic liver tumors through intra-arterial injection of Yttrium-90 (90 Y) beta particle emitting microspheres which implant around the tumor. Current dosimetry models are highly simplistic and there is a large need for an image-based dosimetry post-TARE, which would improve treatment safety and efficacy. Current post-TARE imaging is 90 Y bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT and we study the use of these images for dosimetry. Retrospective image review of ten patients having a Philips HealthcareTM SPECT/CT following TARE SIR-Spheres® implantation. Emission series with attenuation correction were resampled to 3 mm resolution and used to create image-based dose distributions. Dose distributions and analysis were performed in MIM Software SurePlanTM utilizing SurePlanTM Local Deposition Method (LDM) and a dose convolution method (WFBH). We sought to implement a patient-specific background subtraction prior to dose calculation to make these noisy bremsstrahlung SPECT images suitable for post-TARE dosimetry. On average the percentage of mean background counts to maximum count in the image across all patients was 9.4 ± 4.9% (maximum = 7.6%, minimum = 2.3%). Absolute dose increased and profile line width decreased as background subtraction value increased. The average value of the LDM and WFBH dose methods was statistically the same. As background subtraction value increased, the DVH curves become unrealistic and distorted. Background subtraction on bremsstrahlung SPECT image has a large effect on post-TARE dosimetry. The background contour defined provides a systematic estimate to the activity background that accounts for the scanner and patient conditions at the time of the image study and is easily implemented using commercially available software. Using the mean count in the background contour as a subtraction across the entire image gave the most realistic dose distributions. This methodology is independent of microsphere and software manufacturer allowing for use with any available products or tools.
| S-EPMC8035553 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Computed tomography (CT) scans are routinely performed in positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) examinations globally, yet few surveys have been conducted to gather national diagnostic reference level (NDRL) data for CT radiation doses in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT). In this first Nordic-wide study of CT doses in hybrid imaging, Nordic NDRL CT doses are suggested for PET/CT and SPECT/CT examinations specific to the clinical purpose of CT, and the scope for optimisation is evaluated. Data on hybrid imaging CT exposures and clinical purpose of CT were gathered for 5 PET/CT and 8 SPECT/CT examinations via designed booklet. For each included dataset for a given facility and scanner type, the computed tomography dose index by volume (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) was interpolated for a 75-kg person (referred to as CTDIvol,75kg and DLP75kg). Suggested NDRL (75th percentile) and achievable doses (50th percentile) were determined for CTDIvol,75kg and DLP75kg according to clinical purpose of CT. Differences in maximum and minimum doses (derived for a 75-kg patient) between facilities were also calculated for each examination and clinical purpose. RESULTS:Data were processed from 83 scanners from 43 facilities. Data were sufficient to suggest Nordic NDRL CT doses for the following: PET/CT oncology (localisation/characterisation, 15 systems); infection/inflammation (localisation/characterisation, 13 systems); brain (attenuation correction (AC) only, 11 systems); cardiac PET/CT and SPECT/CT (AC only, 30 systems); SPECT/CT lung (localisation/characterisation, 12 systems); bone (localisation/characterisation, 30 systems); and parathyroid (localisation/characterisation, 13 systems). Great variations in dose were seen for all aforementioned examinations. Greatest differences in DLP75kg for each examination, specific to clinical purpose, were as follows: SPECT/CT lung AC only (27.4); PET/CT and SPECT/CT cardiac AC only (19.6); infection/inflammation AC only (18.1); PET/CT brain localisation/characterisation (16.8); SPECT/CT bone localisation/characterisation (10.0); PET/CT oncology AC only (9.0); and SPECT/CT parathyroid localisation/characterisation (7.8). CONCLUSIONS:Suggested Nordic NDRL CT doses are presented according to clinical purpose of CT for PET/CT oncology, infection/inflammation, brain, PET/CT and SPECT/CT cardiac, and SPECT/CT lung, bone, and parathyroid. The large variation in doses suggests great scope for optimisation in all 8 examinations.
| S-EPMC6915162 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The use of SPECT/CT in bone scans has been widespread in recent years, but there are no specific guidelines concerning the optimal acquisition protocol. Two strategies have been proposed: targeted SPECT/CT for equivocal lesions detected on planar images or systematic whole-body SPECT/CT. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the two approaches.212 consecutive patients with a history of cancer were referred for bone scans to detect bone metastases. Two experienced readers randomly evaluated for each patient either planar images with one-field SPECT/CT targeted on equivocal focal uptakes (targeted SPECT/CT) or a whole-body (two-field) SPECT/CT acquisition from the base of the skull to the proximal femurs (whole-body SPECT/CT). The exams were categorized as "nonmetastatic," "equivocal," or "metastatic" on both protocols. The presence or absence of any extra-axial skeletal lesions was also assessed. The sensitivity and specificity of both strategies were measured using the results of subsequent imaging follow-up as the reference standard.Whole-body SPECT/CT had a significantly higher sensitivity than targeted SPECT/CT to detect bone metastases (p = 0.0297) and to detect extra-axial metastases (p = 0.0266). There was no significant difference in specificity among the two approaches.Whole-body SPECT/CT is the optimal modality of choice for metastatic workup, including detection of extra-axial lesions, with improved sensitivity and similar specificity compared to targeted SPECT/CT.
| S-EPMC5546128 | biostudies-other
Project description:Traditional radiology reports are narrative texts that include a description of imaging findings. Recent implementation of advanced reporting software allows for incorporation of annotated key images and hyperlinks directly into text reports, but these tools usually do not substitute in-person consultations with radiologists, especially in challenging cases. Use of on-demand audio/visual reports with screen capture software is an emerging technology, providing a more engaged imaging service. Our study evaluates a video reporting tool that utilizes PACS integrated screen capture software for musculoskeletal imaging studies in the emergency department. Our hypothesis is that referring orthopedic surgeons would find that recorded audio/video reports add value to conventional reports, may increase engagement with radiology staff, and also facilitate understanding of imaging findings from urgent musculoskeletal cases. Seven radiologists prepared a total of 47 audiovisual reports for 9 attending orthopedic surgeons from the emergency department. We applied two surveys to evaluate the experience of the referring physicians using audio/visual reports as a complementary material from the conventional text report. Positive responses were statistically significant in most questions including: if the clinical suspicion was answered in the video; willingness to use such technology in other cases; if the audiovisual report made the imaging findings more understandable than the traditional report; and if the audiovisual report is faster to understand than the traditional text report. Use of audiovisual reports in emergency musculoskeletal cases is a new approach to evaluate potentially challenging cases. These results support the potential of this technology to re-establish the radiologist's role as an essential member of patient care and also provide more engaging, precise, and personalized reports. Further studies could streamline these methods in order to minimize work redundancy with traditional text reporting or even evaluate acceptance of using only audiovisual radiology reports. Additionally, widespread adoption would require integration with the entire radiology workflow including non-urgent cases and other medical specialties.
| S-EPMC6841833 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundQuantitative SPECT imaging in targeted radionuclide therapy with lutetium-177 holds great potential for individualized treatment based on dose assessment. The establishment of dose-effect relations requires a standardized method for SPECT quantification. The purpose of this multi-center study is to evaluate quantitative accuracy and inter-system variations of different SPECT/CT systems with corresponding commercially available quantitative reconstruction algorithms. This is an important step towards a vendor-independent standard for quantitative lutetium-177 SPECT.MethodsFour state-of-the-art SPECT/CT systems were included: Discovery™ NM/CT 670Pro (GE Healthcare), Symbia Intevo™, and two Symbia™ T16 (Siemens Healthineers). Quantitative accuracy and inter-system variations were evaluated by repeatedly scanning a cylindrical phantom with 6 spherical inserts (0.5 - 113 ml). A sphere-to-background activity concentration ratio of 10:1 was used. Acquisition settings were standardized: medium energy collimator, body contour trajectory, photon energy window of 208 keV (± 10%), adjacent 20% lower scatter window, 2 × 64 projections, 128 × 128 matrix size, and 40 s projection time. Reconstructions were performed using GE Evolution with Q.Metrix™, Siemens xSPECT Quant™, Siemens Broad Quantification™ or Siemens Flash3D™ algorithms using vendor recommended settings. In addition, projection data were reconstructed using Hermes SUV SPECT™ with standardized reconstruction settings to obtain a vendor-neutral quantitative reconstruction for all systems. Volumes of interest (VOI) for the spheres were obtained by applying a 50% threshold of the sphere maximum voxel value corrected for background activity. For each sphere, the mean and maximum recovery coefficient (RCmean and RCmax) of three repeated measurements was calculated, defined as the imaged activity concentration divided by the actual activity concentration. Inter-system variations were defined as the range of RC over all systems.ResultsRC decreased with decreasing sphere volume. Inter-system variations with vendor-specific reconstructions were between 0.06 and 0.41 for RCmean depending on sphere size (maximum 118% quantification difference), and improved to 0.02-0.19 with vendor-neutral reconstructions (maximum 38% quantification difference).ConclusionThis study shows that eliminating sources of possible variation drastically reduces inter-system variation in quantification. This means that absolute SPECT quantification for 177Lu is feasible in a multi-center and multi-vendor setting; however, close agreement between vendors and sites is key for multi-center dosimetry and quantitative biomarker studies.
| S-EPMC7013023 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe introduction of hybrid SPECT/CT devices enables quantitative imaging in SPECT, providing a methodological setup for quantitation using SPECT tracers comparable to PET/CT. We evaluated a specific quantitative reconstruction algorithm for SPECT data using a 99mTc-filled NEMA phantom. Quantitative and qualitative image parameters were evaluated for different parametrizations of the acquisition and reconstruction protocol to identify an optimized quantitative protocol.ResultsThe reconstructed activity concentration (ACrec) and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of all examined protocols (n = 16) were significantly affected by the parametrization of the weighting factor k used in scatter correction, the total number of iterations and the sphere volume (all, p < 0.0001). The two examined SPECT acquisition protocols (with 60 or 120 projections) had a minor impact on the ACrec and no significant impact on the SNR. In comparison to the known AC, the use of default scatter correction (k = 0.47) or object-specific scatter correction (k = 0.18) resulted in an underestimation of ACrec in the largest sphere volume (26.5 ml) by - 13.9 kBq/ml (- 16.3%) and - 7.1 kBq/ml (- 8.4%), respectively. An increase in total iterations leads to an increase in estimated AC and a decrease in SNR. The mean difference between ACrec and known AC decreased with an increasing number of total iterations (e.g., for 20 iterations (2 iterations/10 subsets) = - 14.6 kBq/ml (- 17.1%), 240 iterations (24i/10s) = - 8.0 kBq/ml (- 9.4%), p < 0.0001). In parallel, the mean SNR decreased significantly from 2i/10s to 24i/10s by 76% (p < 0.0001).ConclusionQuantitative SPECT imaging is feasible with the used reconstruction algorithm and hybrid SPECT/CT, and its consistent implementation in diagnostics may provide perspectives for quantification in routine clinical practice (e.g., assessment of bone metabolism). When combining quantitative analysis and diagnostic imaging, we recommend using two different reconstruction protocols with task-specific optimized setups (quantitative vs. qualitative reconstruction). Furthermore, individual scatter correction significantly improves both quantitative and qualitative results.
| S-EPMC8324619 | biostudies-literature