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Annals of Nuclear Medicine

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01-01-2021 | Original Article

Development of a new Python-based cardiac phantom for myocardial SPECT imaging

Authors: Osama S. Hanafy, Magdy M. Khalil, Ibrahim M. Khater, Haitham S. Mohammed

Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this work was to develop a digital dynamic cardiac phantom able to mimic gated myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images.

Methods

A software code package was written to construct a cardiac digital phantom based on mathematical ellipsoidal model utilizing powerful numerical and mathematic libraries of python programing language. An ellipsoidal mathematical model was adopted to create the left ventricle geometrical volume including myocardial boundaries, left ventricular cavity, with incorporation of myocardial wall thickening and motion. Realistic myocardial count density from true patient studies was used to simulate statistical intensity variation during myocardial contraction. A combination of different levels of defect extent and severity were precisely modeled taking into consideration defect size variation during cardiac contraction. Wall thickening was also modeled taking into account the effect of partial volume.

Results

It has been successful to build a python-based software code that is able to model gated myocardial perfusion SPECT images with variable left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction. The recent flexibility of python programming enabled us to manipulate the shape and control the functional parameters in addition to creating variable sized-defects, extents and severities in different locations. Furthermore, the phantom code also provides different levels of image filtration mimicking those filters used in image reconstruction and their influence on image quality. Defect extent and severity were found to impact functional parameter estimation in consistence to clinical examinations.

Conclusion

A python-based gated myocardial perfusion SPECT phantom has been successfully developed. The phantom proved to be reliable to assess cardiac software analysis tools in terms of perfusion and functional parameters. The software code is under further development and refinement so that more functionalities and features can be added.

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Title: Development of a new Python-based cardiac phantom for myocardial SPECT imaging
Authors: Osama S. Hanafy
Magdy M. Khalil
Ibrahim M. Khater
Haitham S. Mohammed
Publication date: 01-01-2021
Publisher: Springer Singapore
Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 0914-7187
Electronic ISSN: 1864-6433
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-020-01534-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Development of a new Python-based cardiac phantom for myocardial SPECT imaging

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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