• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2011

Purpose: Presently in the nuclear medicine field, the high-speed image reconstruction algorithm like the OSEM algorithm is widely used as the alternative of the filtered back projection method due to the rapid development and application of the digital computer. There is no to relate and if it applies the optimal parameter be clearly determined. In this research, the quality change of the Jaszczak phantom experiment and brain SPECT patient data according to the iteration times and subset number change try to be been put through and analyzed in 3D OSEM reconstruction method of applying 3D beam modeling. Materials and Methods: Patient data from August, 2010 studied and analyzed against 5 patients implementing the brain SPECT until september, 2010 in the nuclear medicine department of ASAN medical center. The phantom image used the mixed Jaszczak phantom equally and obtained the water and 99mTc (500 MBq) in the dual head gamma camera Symbia T2 of Siemens. When reconstructing each image altogether with patient data and phantom data, we changed iteration number as 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 30 times and subset number as 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 times. We reconstructed in reconstructed each image, the variation coefficient for guessing about noise of images and image contrast, FWHM were produced and compared. Results: In patients and phantom experiment data, a contrast and spatial resolution of an image showed the tendency to increase linearly altogether according to the increment of the iteration times and subset number but the variation coefficient did not show the tendency to be improved according to the increase of two parameters. In the comparison according to the scan time, the image contrast and FWHM showed altogether the result of being linearly improved according to the iteration times and subset number increase in projection per 10, 20 and 30 second image but the variation coefficient did not show the tendency to be improved. Conclusion: The linear relationship of the image contrast improved in 3D OSEM reconstruction method image of applying 3D beam modeling through this experiment like the existing 1D and 2D OSEM reconfiguration method according to the iteration times and subset number increase could be confirmed. However, this is simple phantom experiment and the result of obtaining by the some patients limited range and the various variables can be existed. So for generalizing this based on this results of this experiment, there is the excessiveness and the evaluation about 3D OSEM reconfiguration method should be additionally made through experiments after this.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2009

Purpose: Brain SPECT study is more sensitive to motion than other studies. Especially, when applying 1-day subtraction method for Diamox SPECT, it needs shorter study time in order to prevent reexamination. We were required to have new study condition and analysing method on dual detector system because triple head camera in Seoul National University Hospital is to be disposed. So we have tried to increase image quality and make the dual and triple head to have equivalent study time by using a new analysing program. Materials and Methods: Using IEC phantom, we estimated contrast, SNR and FWHM. In Hoffman 3D brain phantom which is similar with real brain, we were on the supposition that 5% of injected doses were distributed in brain tissue. To compare with existing FBP method, we used fan-beam collimator. And we applied 15 sec, 25 sec/frame for each SEPCT studies using LEHR and LEUHR. We used OSEM2D and Onco-flash3D reconstruction method and compared reconstruction methods between applied Gaussian post-filtering 5mm and not applied as well. Attenuation correction was applied by manual method. And we did Brain SPECT to patient injected 15 mCi of $^{99m}Tc$-HMPAO according to results of Phantom study. Lastly, technologist, MD, PhD estimated the results. Results: The study shows that reconstruction method by Flash3D is better than exiting FBP and OSEM2D when studied using IEC phantom. Flowing by estimation, when using Flash3D, both of 15 sec and 25 sec are needed postfiltering 5 mm. And 8 times are proper for subset 8 iteration in Flash3D. OSEM2D needs post-filtering. And it is proper that subset 4, iteration 8 times for 15sec and subset 8, iteration 12 times for 25sec. The study regarding to injected doses for a patient and study time, combination of input parameter-15 sec/frame, LEHR collimator, analysing program-Flash3D, subset 8, iteration 8times and Gaussian post-filtering 5mm is the most appropriate. On the other hands, it was not appropriate to apply LEUHR collimator to 1-day subtraction method of Diamox study because of lower sensitivity. Conclusions: We could prove that there was also an advantage of short study time effectiveness in Dual camera same as Triple gamma camera and get great result of alternation from existing fan-beam collimator to parallel collimator. In addition, resolution and contrast of new method was better than FBP method. And it could improve sensitivity and accuracy of image because lesser subjectivity was input than Metz filter of FBP. We expect better image quality and shorter study time of Brain SPECT on Dual detector system.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2023

Purpose PET-CT imaging require an appropriate quality assurance system to achieve high efficiency and reliability. Quality control is essential for improving the quality of care and patient safety. Currently, there are performance evaluation methods of UN2-1994 and UN2-2001 proposed by NEMA and IEC for PET-CT image evaluation. In this study, we compare phantom images with the same experiments before and after PET-CT 3D normalization and well counter correction and evaluate the usefulness of quality control. Materials and methods Discovery 690 (General Electric Healthcare, USA) PET-CT equiptment was used to perform 3D normalization and well counter correction as recommended by GE Healthcare. Based on the recovery coefficients for the six spheres of the NEMA IEC Body Phantom recommended by the EARL. 20kBq/㎖ of ¹⁸F was injected into the sphere of the phantom and 2kBq/㎖ of ¹⁸F was injected into the body of phantom. PET-CT scan was performed with a radioacitivity ratio of 10:1. Images were reconstructed by appliying TOF+PSF+TOF, OSEM+PSF, OSEM and Gaussian filter 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6,5 mm with matrix size 128×128, slice thickness 3.75 mm, iteration 2, subset 16 conditions. The PET image was attenuation corrected using the CT images and analyzed using software program AW 4.7 (General Electric Healthcare, USA). The ROI was set to fit 6 spheres in the CT image, RC (Recovery Coefficient) was measured after fusion of PET and CT. Statistical analysis was performed wilcoxon signed rank test using R. Results Overall, after the quality control items were performed, the recovery coefficient of the phantom image increased and measured. Recovery coefficient according to the image reconstruction increased in the order TOF+PSF, TOF, OSEM+PSF, before and after quality control, RCmax increased by OSEM 0.13, OSEM+PSF 0.16, TOF 0.16, TOF+PSF 0.15 and RCmean increased by OSEM 0.09, OSEM+PSF 0.09, TOF 0.106, TOF+PSF 0.10. Both groups showed a statistically significant difference in Wilcoxon signed rank test results (P value<0.001). Conclusion PET-CT system require quality assurance to achieve high efficiency and reliability. Standardized intervals and procedures should be followed for quality control. We hope that this study will be a good opportunity to think about the importance of quality control in PET-CT

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.58-64
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• 2011

Objective: The 3-dimensional reconstruction method with resolution recovery modeling has advantages of high spatial resolution and contrast because of its precise modeling of spatial blurring according to the distance from detector plane. The aim of this study was to evaluate one of the resolution recovery reconstruction methods (Astonish, Philips Medical), compare it to other iterative reconstructions, and verify its clinical usefulness. Materials and Methods: NEMA IEC PET body phantom and Flanges Jaszczak ECT phantom (Data Spectrum Corp., USA) studies were performed using Skylight SPECT (Philips) system under four different conditions; short or long (2 times of short) radius, and half or full (40 kcts/frame) acquisition counts. Astonish reconstruction method was compared with two other iterative reconstructions; MLEM and 3D-OSEM which vendor supplied. For quantitative analysis, the contrast ratios obtained from IEC phantom test were compared. Reconstruction parameters were determined by optimization study using graph of contrast ratio versus background variability. The qualitative comparison was performed with Jaszczak ECT phantom and human myocardial data. Results: The overall contrast ratio was higher with Astonish than the others. For the largest hot sphere of 37 mm diameter, Astonish showed about 27.1% and 17.4% higher contrast ratio than MLEM and 3D-OSEM, in short radius study. For long radius, Astonish showed about 40.5% and 32.6% higher contrast ratio than MLEM and 3D-OSEM. The effect of acquired counts was insignificant. In the qualitative studies with Jaszczak phantom and human myocardial data, Astonish showed the best image quality. Conclusion: In this study, we have found out that Astonish can provide more reliable clinical results by better image quality compared to other iterative reconstruction methods. Although further clinical studies are required, Astonish would be used in clinics with confidence for enhancement of images.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2017

Purpose Recently, with the spread of SPECT/CT, various image correction methods can be applied quickly and accurately, which enabled us to expect quantitative accuracy as well as image quality improvement. Among them, the Collimator Detector Response(CDR) recovery is a correction method aiming at resolution recovery by compensating the blurring effect generated from the distance between the detector and the object. The purpose of this study is to find out quantitative change depending on the change in detection distance in SPECT/CT images with CDR recovery applied. Materials and Methods In order to find out the error of acquisition count depending on the change of detection distance, we set the detection distance according to the obit type as X, Y axis radius 30cm for circular, X, Y axis radius 21cm, 10cm for non-circular and non-circular auto(=auto body contouring, ABC_spacing limit 1cm) and applied reconstruction methods by dividing them into Astonish(3D-OSEM with CDR recovery) and OSEM(w/o CDR recovery) to find out the difference in activity recovery depending on the use of CDR recovery. At this time, attenuation correction, scatter correction, and decay correction were applied to all images. For the quantitative evaluation, calibration scan(cylindrical phantom, $^{99m}TcO_4$ 123.3 MBq, water 9293 ml) was obtained for the purpose of calculating the calibration factor(CF). For the phantom scan, a 50 cc syringe was filled with 31 ml of water and a phantom image was obtained by setting $^{99m}TcO_4$ 123.3 MBq. We set the VOI(volume of interest) in the entire volume of the syringe in the phantom image to measure total counts for each condition and obtained the error of the measured value against true value set by setting CF to check the quantitative accuracy according to the correction. Results The calculated CF was 154.28 (Bq/ml/cps/ml) and the measured values against true values in each conditional image were analyzed to be circular 87.5%, non-circular 90.1%, ABC 91.3% and circular 93.6%, non-circular 93.6%, ABC 93.9% in OSEM and Astonish, respectively. The closer the detection distance, the higher the accuracy of OSEM, and Astonish showed almost similar values regardless of distance. The error was the largest in the OSEM circular(-13.5%) and the smallest in the Astonish ABC(-6.1%). Conclusion SPECT/CT images showed that when the distance compensation is made through the application of CDR recovery, the detection distance shows almost the same quantitative accuracy as the proximity detection even under the distant condition, and accurate correction is possible without being affected by the change in detection distance.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2011

Purpose: The recently adopted multiple confocal SPECT SYSTEM (hereinafter called IQ SPECT$^{TM}$) has a high difference from the conventional myocardial perfusion SPECT in the collimator form, image capture method, and image reconstruction method. This study was conducted to compare this novice equipment with the conventional one to design a protocol meeting the IQ SPECT, and also determine the characteristics and usefulness of IQ SPECT. Materials and Methods: 1. For the objects of LEHR (Low energy high resolution) collimator and Multiple confocal collimator, $^{99m}Tc$ 37MBq was put in the acrylic dish then each sensitivity ($cpm/{\mu}Ci$) was measured at the distance of 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm respectively. 2. Based on the sensitivity measure results, IQ SPECT Protocol was designed according to the conventional general myocardial SPECT, then respectively 278 kBq/mL, 7.4 kBq/mL, and 48 kBq/mL of $^{99m}Tc$ were injected into the myocardial and soft tissues and liver site by using the anthropomorphic torso phantom then the myocardial perfusion SPECT was run. 3. For the comparison of FWHMs (Full Width at Half Maximum) resulted from the image reconstruction of LEHR collimator, the FWHMs (mm) were measured with only algorithms changed, in the case of the FBP (Filtered Back projection) method- a reconstruction method of conventional myocardial perfusion SPECT, and the 3D OSEM (Ordered subsets expectation maximization) method of IQ SPECT, by using $^{99m}Tc$ Line source. Results: 1. The values of IQ SPECT collimator sensitivity ($cpm/{\mu}Ci$) were 302, 382, 655, 816, 1178, and those of LEHR collimator were measured as 204, 204, 202, 201, 198, both at the distance of 5 cm, 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, and 40 cm respectively. It was found the difference of sensitivity increases up to 4 times at the distance of 30 cm in the cases of IQ SPECT and LEHR. 2. The myocardial perfusion SPECT Protocol was designed according to the geometric characteristics of IQ SPECT based on the sensitivity results, then the phantom test for the aforesaid protocol was conducted. As a result, it was found the examination time can be reduced 1/4 compared to the past. 3. In the comparison of FWHMs according to the reconstructed algorithm in the FBP method and 3D OSEM method followed after the SEPCT test using a LEHR collimator, the result was obtained that FWHM rose around twice in the 3D OSEM method. Conclusion : The IQ SPECT uses the Multiple confocal collimator for the myocardial perfusion SPECT to enhance the sensitivity and also reduces examination time and contributes to improvement of visual screen quality through the myocardial-specific geometric image capture method and image reconstruction method. Due to such benefits, it is expected patients will receive more comfortable and more accurate examinations and it is considered a further study is required using additional clinical materials.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.65-71
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• 2017

To assess the effects of filter and reconstruction of Cu-64 PET data on Siemens scanner, the various reconstruction algorithm with various filters were assessed in terms of spatial resolution, non-uniformity (NU), recovery coefficient (RC), and spillover ratio (SOR). Image reconstruction was performed using filtered backprojection (FBP), 2D ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM), 3D reprojection algorithm (3DRP), and maximum a posteriori algorithms (MAP). For the FBP reconstruction, ramp, butterworth, hamming, hanning, or parzen filters were used. Attenuation or scatter correction were performed to assess the effect of attenuation and scatter correction. Regarding spatial resolution, highest achievable volumetric resolution was $3.08mm^3$ at the center of FOV when MAP (${\beta}=0.1$) reconstruction method was used. SOR was below 4% for FBP when ramp, Hamming, Hanning, or Shepp-logan filter were used. The lowest NU (highest uniform) after attenuation & scatter correction was 5.39% when FBP (parzen filter) was used. Regarding RC, 0.9 < RC < 1.1 was obtained when OSEM (iteration: 10) was used when attenuation and scatter correction were applied. In this study, image quality of Cu-64 on Siemens Inveon PET was investigated. This data will helpful for the quantification of Cu-64 PET data.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.12 no.2 s.46
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• pp.123-130
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to propose a fusion and registration method with heterogeneous small animal acquisition system in small animal in-vivo study. After an intravenous injection of $^{18}F$-FDG through tail vain and 60 min delay for uptake, mouse was placed on an acryl plate with fiducial markers that were made for fusion between small animal PET (microPET R4, Concorde Microsystems, Knoxville TN) and Discovery LS CT images. The acquired emission list-mode data was sorted to temporally framed sinograms and reconstructed using FORE rebining and 2D-OSEM algorithms without correction of attenuation and scatter. After PET imaging, CT images were acquired by mean of a clinical PET/CT with high-resolution mode. The microPET and CT images were fusion and co-registered using the fiducial markers and segmented lung region in both data sets to perform a point-based rigid co-registration. This method improves the quantitative accuracy and interpretation of the tracer.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.68-73
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• 2015

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate image quality change by truncated region in field of view (FOV) of attenuation correction computed tomography (AC-CT) in brain PET/CT. Materials and Methods Biograph Truepoint 40 with TrueV (Siemens) was used as a scanner. $^{68}Ge$ phantom scan was performed with and without applying brain holder using brain PET/CT protocol. PET attenuation correction factor (ACF) was evaluated according to existence of pallet in FOV of AC-CT. FBP, OSEM-3D and PSF methods were applied for PET reconstruction. Parameters of iteration 4, subsets 21 and gaussian 2 mm filter were applied for iterative reconstruction methods. Window level 2900, width 6000 and level 4, 200, width 1000 were set for visual evaluation of PET AC images. Vertical profiles of 5 slices and 20 slices summation images applied gaussian 5 mm filter were produced for evaluating integral uniformity. Results Patient pallet was not covered in FOV of AC-CT when without applying brain holder because of small size of FOV. It resulted in defect of ACF sinogram by truncated region in ACF evaluation. When without applying brain holder, defect was appeared in lower part of transverse image on condition of window level 4200, width 1000 in PET AC image evaluation. With and without applying brain holder, integral uniformities of 5 slices and 20 slices summation images were 7.2%, 6.7% and 11.7%, 6.7%. Conclusion Truncated region by small FOV results in count defect in occipital lobe of brain in clinical or research studies. It is necessary to understand effect of truncated region and apply appropriate accessory for brain PET/CT.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.102-109
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• 2009

Purpose: Flash 3D (pixon(R) method; 3D OSEM) was developed as a software program to shorten exam time and improve image quality through reconstruction, it is an image processing method that usefully be applied to nuclear medicine tomography. If perfoming brain diamox perfusion scan by reconstructing subtracted images by Flash 3D with shortened image acquisition time, there was a problem that SNR of subtracted image is lower than basal image. To increase SNR of subtracted image, we use LEAP collimators, and we emphasized on sensitivity of vessel dilatation than resolution of brain vessel. In this study, our purpose is to confirm possibility of application of LEAP collimators at brain diamox perfusion tomography, identify proper reconstruction factors by using Flash 3D. Materials and methods: (1) The evaluation of phantom: We used Hoffman 3D Brain Phantom with $^{99m}Tc$. We obtained images by LEAP and LEHR collimators (diamox image) and after 6 hours (the half life of $^{99m}Tc$: 6 hours), we use obtained second image (basal image) by same method. Also, we acquired SNR and ratio of white matters/gray matters of each basal image and subtracted image. (2) The evaluation of patient's image: We quantitatively analyzed patients who were examined by LEAP collimators then was classified as a normal group and who were examined by LEHR collimators then was classified as a normal group from 2008. 05 to 2009. 01. We evaluate the results from phantom by substituting factors. We used one-day protocol and injected $^{99m}Tc$-ECD 925 MBq at both basal image acquisition and diamox image acquisition. Results: (1) The evaluation of phantom: After measuring counts from each detector, at basal image 41~46 kcount, stress image 79~90 kcount, subtraction image 40~47 kcount were detected. LEAP was about 102~113 kcount at basal image, 188~210 kcount at stress image and 94~103 at subtraction image kcount were detected. The SNR of LEHR subtraction image was decreased than LEHR basal image about 37%, the SNR of LEAP subtraction image was decreased than LEAP basal image about 17%. The ratio of gray matter versus white matter is 2.2:1 at LEHR basal image and 1.9:1 at subtraction, and at LEAP basal image was 2.4:1 and subtraction image was 2:1. (2) The evaluation of patient's image: the counts acquired by LEHR collimators are about 40~60 kcounts at basal image, and 80~100 kcount at stress image. It was proper to set FWHM as 7 mm at basal and stress image and 11mm at subtraction image. LEAP was about 80~100 kcount at basal image and 180~200 kcount at stress image. LEAP images could reduce blurring by setting FWHM as 5 mm at basal and stress images and 7 mm at subtraction image. At basal and stress image, LEHR image was superior than LEAP image. But in case of subtraction image like a phantom experiment, it showed rough image because SNR of LEHR image was decreased. On the other hand, in case of subtraction LEAP image was better than LEHR image in SNR and sensitivity. In all LEHR and LEAP collimator images, proper subset and iteration frequency was 8 times. Conclusions: We could archive more clear and high SNR subtraction image by using proper filter with LEAP collimator. In case of applying one day protocol and reconstructing by Flash 3D, we could consider application of LEAP collimator to acquire better subtraction image.