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01-06-2015 | Original Article

Performance characteristics of a novel clustered multi-pinhole technology for simultaneous high-resolution SPECT/PET

Authors: Kenta Miwa, Masayuki Inubushi, Yasuto Takeuchi, Tetsuro Katafuchi, Mitsuru Koizumi, Tsuneo Saga, Masayuki Sasaki

Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine | Issue 5/2015

Abstract

Objective

Versatile emission computed tomography (VECTor) for small-animal imaging enables fully simultaneous SPECT/PET image acquisition based on clustered multi-pinhole collimation. The present study experimentally evaluated the detailed performance characteristics of the clustered multi-pinhole system for simultaneous ^99mTc and ¹⁸F imaging from the user perspective.

Methods

Spatial resolution, sensitivity, count rate linearity were determined for the VECTor system (MILabs). Two hot-rod micro-resolution phantoms with 6 sectors were created to test the resolution of ^99mTc and ¹⁸F. Sensitivity and count rate linearity were measured by scanning ^99mTc and ¹⁸F point sources positioned at the center of the field of view. Furthermore, we quantified the influence of ¹⁸F on ^99mTc SPECT images. The ratios of SPECT counts on the ^99mTc-only and simultaneous ¹⁸F-^99mTc at various time points were evaluated as a function of the ¹⁸F-to-^99mTc activity concentration ratio.

Results

The 0.5-mm hot-rods can be visually distinguished in the ^99mTc image, and 0.8-mm rods for ¹⁸F remained clearly visible. The point-source sensitivity was 2800 cps/MBq for ^99mTc and 2899 cps/MBq for ¹⁸F, respectively. Count rates up to 120,000 cps for one bed position were linear for the activity. Spill-over from ¹⁸F into ^99mTc SPECT images was negligible when the activity concentration of the administered ¹⁸F solution exceeded that of the ^99mTc solution by up to a factor of 2.

Conclusions

We evaluated the performance characteristics of the VECTor that lead to determination of the optimal administered doses of ^99mTc and ¹⁸F tracers. We found that the VECTor achieved high resolution and high sensitivity as well as good ^99mTc and ¹⁸F linearity. Simultaneous SPECT/PET imaging with ^99mTc and ¹⁸F tracers, and stand-alone ^99mTc and ¹⁸F imaging using clustered-pinhole collimators is feasible and practical for a wide range of research applications using small animals.

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Title: Performance characteristics of a novel clustered multi-pinhole technology for simultaneous high-resolution SPECT/PET
Authors: Kenta Miwa
Masayuki Inubushi
Yasuto Takeuchi
Tetsuro Katafuchi
Mitsuru Koizumi
Tsuneo Saga
Masayuki Sasaki
Publication date: 01-06-2015
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine / Issue 5/2015
Print ISSN: 0914-7187
Electronic ISSN: 1864-6433
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-015-0966-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Performance characteristics of a novel clustered multi-pinhole technology for simultaneous high-resolution SPECT/PET

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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