Published in:
01-06-2020 | Computed Tomography | Original Article
Computed Tomography (CT) Protocols Associated with Cardiac and Bone Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) in Korea
Published in: Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 3/2020
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Purpose
Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is an advanced hybrid nuclear medicine technology that generates both functional and anatomical images in a single study. As utilization of SPECT/CT in Korea has been increasing, the purpose of this study was to survey its application of cardiac and skeletal SPECT/CT imaging for protocol optimization.
Methods
We surveyed CT protocols established for cardiac and skeletal SPECT/CT. We searched the guidelines for the CT protocols for SPECT/CT and reviewed the literature recently published.
Results
Among 36 hybrid SPECT scanners equipped with four or more multi-channel detector CTs (MDCTs), 18 scanners were used to perform cardiac studies at both very low current CT (30–80 mA; 11.1%) and ultra-low current CT (13–30 mA; 88.9%). Among the 33 canners, very low current (≤ 80 mA) CT or low current CT (80–130 mA) was used in 23.5%, and 41.8% for spine disorders, and in 36.4% or 30.3% for foot/ankle disorders, respectively. In the CT reconstructions, slice thickness of 5 mm for cardiac studies was most commonly used (94.4%); thinner slices (0.6–1.0 mm) for spine and foot/ankle studies were used in 24.2% and 45.5%, respectively. We also reviewed the international guidelines.
Conclusions
The results and current recommendations will be helpful for optimizing CT protocols for SPECT/CT. Optimization of SPECT/CT protocols will be required for generating the proper strategy for the specific lesions and clinical purpose.