Clinical Investigations
Semi-quantitative 18F-FDG Co-SPECT/CT: A competitive study with 18F-FDG PET/CT of chest
Zheng Yumin, Jin Chaoling, Cui Huijuan, Dai Haojie, Yan Jue, Xu Bailing, Han Pingping
Published 2019-05-25
Cite as Int J Radiat Med Nucl Med, 2019,43(3): 210-216. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1673-4114.2019.03.003
Abstract
ObjectiveTo implement physical corrections in semiquantitative Co-SPECT to improve image resolution and contrast, along with the capability for image semiquantitation. And to evaluate the image performance using 18 F-FDG PET/CT as the reference standard.
MethodsFull physical corrections included attenuation correction, scatter correction, and spatially dependent point-spread functions. Point sources in a cross shape and a standard National Electrical Manufacturers Association phantom were utilized to verify image resolution and contrast, as well as the accuracy in measuring 18F activity concentration. In the patient study, 13 males and 2 females with histologically confirmed thoracic carcinomas were included. All patients were subjected to 18F-FDG Co-SPECT/CT scan followed by 18 F-FDG PET/CT scan. The functional parameters SUVmax, SUVmean, SULpeak and MTV from semiquantitative Co-SPECT and PET were analyzed.
ResultsIn the phantom study, the image resolution of Co-SPECT improved. The mean image resolution improved from (13.1±1.2) mm to (9.5±0.8) mm in the in-plane direction[(7.4±0.4)mm for PET] and from (13.5±1.1) mm to (9.8±0.7) mm in the axial direction[(7.6±0.5) mm for PET], whereas the image contrast improved from 1.79 to 6.32(6.69 for PET). In the patient study, paired t-test showed that the functional parameters of quantitative Co-SPECT(i.e., SUVmax, SUVmean, SULpeak and MTV) significantly differed from those of PET(t=3.16, 3.90, 3.92, 3.98, respectively; all P< 0.0025). Conversely, the correlations of SUVmax, SUVmean, SULpeak, and MTV from semiquantitative Co-SPECT were highly correlated overall with those from PET(r=0.8218, 0.8390, 0.8171 and 0.8791, respectively). Measurements remained stable whereas the threshold adjustment of SUVmax and SUV for SUVmean and MTV determination did not further change the correlations with PET(r=0.8103- 0.8801).
ConclusionAdding physical corrections to Co-SPECT images can significantly improve image resolution and contrast to reveal smaller tumor lesions, as well as the capability to semiquantify functional parameters such as PET/CT.
Key words:
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Single photon emission computed tomography computed tomography; Positron emission tomography computed tomography; Thoracic neoplasms; Image enhancement; Functional parameters
Contributor Information
Zheng Yumin
Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
Jin Chaoling
Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
Cui Huijuan
Oncology of Integrative Medicine Department, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
Dai Haojie
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Electric Power Hospital, Beijing 100073, China
Yan Jue
Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
Xu Bailing
Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
Han Pingping
Department of Nuclear Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
