SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 13
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 1
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging
I. Introduction
This document contains a recompilation of information taken from different books, internet
sites and the material of the “Nuclear Medicine Technology” class by Dr. S. I. Ziegler at the
TU-Munich. It was created to be the hand-out material complementing the presentation
“Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging” at the Joint Advanced Student School in the
State University of St. Petersburg.
In order to have a better understanding of this theme, at the beginning the details of some
basic physics principles are treated; then going from the most elementary imaging radiation
detectors until reaching the elaborated techniques of the tomography image reconstruction
devices and the added value of the combination of anatomical and functional imaging.
II. Basic Principles
In the diagnostic imaging two kinds of modalities can be differentiated. On one side the
anatomical imaging, providing a very accurate visualization of the intern structures of the
human body; and the functional imaging, which is aimed to quantify the physiological
processes taking place inside the human body without influencing them. One of the most
widely spread practices used for this purpose are contained in the Nuclear Medicine
Diagnostics.
The main principle of the Nuclear Medical Diagnostics is the non invasive determination of
physiological processes. A radiopharmaceutical is a Radioactive Drug used for Diagnosis or
Therapy in tracer quantities with no pharmacological effect. This tracer is distributed,
metabolized, and excreted according to their chemical structure. The biological functions can
be displayed as images, numerical data or time-activity curves. According with the
physiological process that is being targeted there are different pharmaceuticals available.
III. Radionuclide production
The above mentioned radiopharmaceuticals are compounds of biomedical interest which
have attached radionuclides as labels that allow us to quantify specific physiological
processes. The radionuclides are made by bombarding nuclei of stable atoms with sub-
nuclear particles so as to cause nuclear reactions that convert a stable nucleus into an
unstable one. The different ways to produce radionuclides can be of primary source like the
Reactor-production and the Accelerator-production or secondary source like the
Radionuclide Generators.
For many years the nuclear reactors have been the largest source of radionuclides but
nowadays inside the Nuclear Medicine Facilities it is easier to find a kind of accelerator called
cyclotron and/or radionuclide generators which will be briefly described later on.
A commonly used accelerator for the production of nuclear medicine radionuclides is the
cyclotron. Which consists of a pair of hollow; semicircular metal electrodes (called “dees”
because of their shape), positioned between the poles of a large electromagnet. The dees
are separated from one another by a narrow gap. Its principle of operation is the use of the
magnetic force on a moving charge to bend moving charges into a semicircular path between
accelerations by an applied electric field. The applied electric field accelerates electrons
between the "dees" of the magnetic field region. The field is reversed at the cyclotron
frequency to accelerate the electrons back across the gap.
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 2
Cyclotron operation principle
Radionuclide generators consist of a parent-daughter radionuclide pair contained in an
apparatus that permits separation and extraction of the daughter from the parent in a
physiological solution.
Due to its availability in a generator form, its monoenergetic gamma rays of 140 keV
emission, its ideal physical half life: 6 hours, its lack of beta emissions, its allowance for the
in-house preparation of many radiopharmaceuticals the most common used radionuclide in
the nuclear medicine is the Technetium 99m.
Tc-99m Generator
The desirable characteristics of a generator are that it should be easily transportable; that the
separation of daughter from parent should happen easily, sterile and pyrogen-free with a
high yield of separation, no radionuclide impurities, the parent should have a reasonable half
life; the daughter should present an ideal half life and gamma energy and something very
important that the chemistry of the daughter allows hospital preparation.
Some radionuclide produced using this procedure are shown in the next table:
Parent Half life
Decay
mode
Daugther Half life
Decay
mode
Product
99
Mo 66,02 h β- 99m
Tc 6,02 h Isomer 99
Tc
188
W 69,4 d β- 188
Re 16,9 h β- 188
Os
68
Ge 288 d EC 68
Ga 68,3 min β+
, EC 68
Zn
82
Sr 25 d EC 82
Rb 1,25 min β+
, EC 82
Kr
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 3
IV. Decay Modes
As observed on the third and sixth columns of the last table, in order to reach a stable state
the radionuclide decay in different modes, namely α emission, β-
emission, positron (β+
)
emission, isomeric transition (γ emission), internal conversion (IC), electron capture (EC) and
nuclear fission. For diagnostic nuclear medicine purposes the α and nuclear fission are of
relatively little importance. The other modes are briefly described.
The isomeric transition consists in the emission of γ-rays. An alternative to γ-ray emission
that is especially common among metastable states is decay by internal conversion. In this
process, the nucleus decays by transferring energy to an orbital electron which is ejected
instead of the γ-ray. It is as if the γ-ray were “internally absorbed” by collision with an orbital
electron.
In radioactive decay by positron emission (β+
), a proton in the nucleus is transformed into a
neutron and a positron that is the antiparticle of an ordinary electron. The positron combines
with the negative electron in an annihilation reaction. There is a “back to back” emission of
annihilation photons that is required for conservation of momentum for the stationary
electron-positron pair. The mass-energy equivalent of each particle is 0.511 MeV. Positron
emitters are useful in nuclear medicine because two photons are generated per nuclear
decay event. The precise directional relationship between the annihilation photons permits
the use of “coincidence counting” techniques.
The electron capture decay is also known as „inverse β-
decay“. In this decay an orbital
electron is captured by the nucleus and combines with a proton to form a neutron.
Positron emission and EC have the same effect on the parent nucleus. Both are isobaric
decay modes that decrease atomic number by one. Among the radioactive nuclides, one
finds that β+ decay occurs more frequently among lighter elements, whereas EC is more
frequently among heavier elements, since in heavy elements orbital electrons tend to be
closer to the nucleus and are more easily captured. For example 18
F decays 3% of the cases
by EC and 97% by β+
emission.
The range of coverage of particle emission in tissue is shown in the following table:
Particle Energy Coverage
α (very local Therapy) few MeV < 1mm
β (Therapy) 100 KeV – 1MeV ~ few mm
γ (Imaging) 100 – 500 KeV > few cm
The type and energy of emissions from the radionuclide determine the availability of useful
photons for counting or imaging. For external detection of a radionuclide inside the body it is
very important to consider the interactions that they have with the different materials. The
three main interactions of high-energy photons through matter are the photoelectric effect,
the Compton scattering and the pair production.
V. Interaction of radiation with matter
When a photon passes through a thickness of absorber material, the probability that it will
experience an interaction depends on its energy and on the composition and thickness of the
absorber. The dependence on thickness is relative simple; the thicker the absorber the
greater the probability that an interaction will occur.
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 4
The mass attenuation coefficient is used to describe the total reduction of x and gamma
radiation (photons) at a detector due to both energy absorption and scattering.
Interaction of an incident photon beam and an absorber material
The mass attenuation coefficient for a mixture of elements can be obtained from the values
for its component elements.
...)( 2211 ++= ffmix mmm µµµ
It can also be broken down into components according to:
τ is the part of µm due to photoelectric effect
σ is the part of µm due to Compton Effect
 κ is the part of µm due to pair production
µm involves both absorption and scattering processes.
The relative magnitudes of τ, σ and κ vary with the atomic number Z and energy E as
observed in the following table.
Photoelectric heavy elements
low photon energies
Compton Decreases slowly with increasing absorber atomic number
σ invariant with Z and E
can be found in intermediate values of Z and E
Pair production it is 0 for E less than the threshold energy of 1.02 MeV
it is the dominating effect at higher photon energies in absorbers of high
atomic number
The products of the three major photon interactions processes are shown below:
Interaction Secondary Photons High-Energy Secondary electrons
Photoelectric Characteristic X-Rays Photoelectrons
Auger electrons
Compton Scattered photon Recoil electron
Pair production Annihilation photons Positive-negative electron pair
The following graphic shows the probability of interaction versus photon energy for absorbers
of different atomic numbers. From it we can observe that the intensity of photons reaching a
detector decreases as the mass attenuation coefficient increases for the same absorber
thickness and photon energy. The mass attenuation coefficient tends to increase with
increasing atomic number at the same photon energy, so materials with high atomic numbers
(and, hence, high mass attenuation coefficients) are normally chosen to shield x and gamma
radiation.
κστµ ++=m
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 5
Probability of interaction
VI. Detection
In order to get counts and images it is necessary to detect the radiation emitted by the
radionuclide in the body of the patient. In nuclear medicine the most used detectors are the
scintillation crystals. Normally, radiation from radioactive materials interacts with matter by
causing ionization and/or excitation of atoms and molecules. In this process energy is
released. Most of this energy is dissipated in form of thermical energy, in the case of the
scintillation crystals part of this energy is released as light. The amount of light produced
following the interactions of a single particle (γ, β, etc.) is proportional to the energy deposited
by the incident radiation in the scintillator.
Band diagram for a scintillation crystal
The following table shows the most common scintillation crystals and some of their
characteristics.
NaJ BGO LSO GSO
NaJ:Tl Bi4Ge3O12 Lu2SiO5:Ce Gd2SiO5:Ce
Density (g/cm3) 3,67 7,1 7,4 6,7
Effective atomic No. 51 73 65 59
photons/MeV 41000 9000 26000 8000
Decay time (ns) 230 300 40 60
Peak emission (nm) 415 480 420 430
Index of refraction 1.85 2.15 1.82 1.85
The small amount of light from the scintillation crystals has to be somehow increased in order
to be measured. The photomultiplier tubes (PMT) are devices that do this task and allow a
more accurate measurement of this light. The principle of operation of these devices is that
when incident light reaches the entrance window, which is coated with a photo emissive
substance called photocathode; electrons are ejected and focused towards a metal plate
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 6
called dynode. The dynode is maintained at a positive voltage relative to the photocathode
attracting the electrons to it. The dynodes are coated with a material having relatively high
secondary emission characteristics. A high speed photoelectron striking the first dynode
surface ejects several secondary electrons from it. Which are attracted to the next dynode
which is maintained at 50-150 V higher potential than the first one here the electrons are
again ejected to the next dynode and so on. At each dynode the electrons get multiplied.
This situation is illustrated in the following graphic.
Photomultiplier tube principle
The main requirements for light detectors are a high quantum efficiency to transfer as many
of the photons as possible into charge carriers to ensure high signal amplitude; a fast read
out (timing applications like PET) and a good amplitude resolution because that can be
translated into high energy resolution.
The conversion efficiency for visible light to electrons is called the Quantum Efficiency of
PMTs.
VII. The Gamma Camera
The purpose of a radionuclide imaging is to obtain a picture of the distribution of a
radioactively labeled substance within the body after being injected und metabolized in the
patient. The major components of a gamma camera are:
Basic components of a Gamma Camera
A collimator: used to define the direction of the detected γ rays. Consisting of a lead
plate, that contains a large number of holes.
A large area scintillation crystal (6-12.5 mm thick x 25 to 50 cm in diameter)
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 7
A light guide (highly reflecting material like TiO2 and an optical glass window)
An array of photomultiplier tubes; coupled optically to the back face of the crystal and
arranged in a hexagonal pattern to maximize the area of the scintillation crystal.
Typical PM tube sizes are 5 cm diameter. A typical gamma camera has between 30
and 100 PM tubes. Which are encased in a thin magnetic shield to prevent changes
in the gain due to changes in the orientation of the gamma camera relatively to the
Earth’s magnetic field. The amount of light detected by a particular PM tube is
inversely related to the lateral distance between the interaction site and the center of
that PM tube.
Positioning and summing circuits (preamplifiers, pulse-height analyzers, automatic
gain control, pulse pile-up rejection circuits, etc.)
Computer
Large numbers of events are necessary to form an interpretable image because each pixel
must have sufficient number of counts to achieve an acceptable signal-to-noise level.
The gamma camera can be used for static imaging studies, in which an image of unchanging
radionuclide distribution can be recorded over an extended imaging time. Dynamic images
are also possible with the gamma camera, in which changes in the radionuclide distribution
can be observed, as rapidly as several images per second.
Images can be also synchronized to electrocardiogram signals, permitting images of the
heart in different phases of the cardiac cycle to be formed.
The choice of thickness of the crystal is a trade-off between its detection efficiency (which
increases with increasing thickness) and its intrinsic spatial resolution (which deteriorates
with increasing thickness).
The amount of light detected by a particular PM tube is inversely related to the lateral
distance between the interaction site and the center of the PM tube.
The Z-signal is the sum of the outputs of all the PM tubes. It is proportional to the total
amount of light produced by a scintillation event in the crystal and is used for pulse-height
analysis.
Signals from individual PM tubes are split using resistors onto four output lines. The resistor
values are chosen such that the X and Y position vary linearly with interaction position in the
detector.
In digital cameras, the output signal from each PM tube is digitized and the event position is
calculated in software. The inverse of the resistor values are used as weighting factors for
the individual PM tube signals. The nonlinearity of the PM tube response is also taken into
account in these weighting factors to provide better positioning accuracy.
To improve the positioning accuracy, it is common to include only the signals coming from
PM tubes above a certain threshold. 2 advantages: noise reduction and the possibility of
detecting multiple events simultaneously.
Gamma Camera Energy Spectrum
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 8
Energy selection is important for imaging because it provides a means to discriminate
against γ rays that have been scattered in the body. Two different methods to select photo
peak events: a) the use of energy discrimination on the Z-Signal. b) (only possible for digital
cameras) the photo peak positions and the appropriate discriminator level are computed and
stored for many different locations across the detector face.
The collimator projects an image of the source distribution onto the detector by allowing only
those γ rays traveling along certain directions to reach the detector. There are four basic
collimator types namely pinhole, parallel hole, diverging and converging.
The pinhole collimator consists of a small pinhole aperture in a piece of lead, tungsten,
platinum or other heavy metal absorber. The pinhole aperture is located at the end of a lead
cone. Gamma rays passing through the pinhole project an inverted image of the source
distribution onto the detector crystal. The image is magnified with the distance from the
source to the pinhole is smaller than the collimator cone length. Pinhole collimators are used
primarily for magnification images of small organs.
In the case of the parallel hole collimator, parallel holes are drilled or cast in lead or are
shaped from lead foils. The lead walls between the holes are called collimator septa. This
kind of collimator projects the same size as the source distribution onto the detector.
For the diverging collimators the holes diverge from the detector face projecting a minified,
non-inverted image of the source distribution onto the detector. A typical diverging collimator
decreases the size of the image on the detector and increases the diameter of the imaged
area. They are used mainly on cameras with smaller detectors to permit imaging of large
organs.
The Converging collimator has holes that converge to a point 40-50cm in front of the
collimator projecting a magnified, non-inverted image of the source distribution. Because of
magnification depends on distance, there is some image distortion with this kind of
collimation.
The gamma camera can detect four kinds of events which are:
• Valid event: a γ ray is emitted parallel to the collimator holes, passes through a hole
and interacts photo-electrically in the crystal, depositing all of its energy at a single
location.
• Detector scatter event: a γ ray is emitted parallel to the collimator holes, passes
through a hole and interacts by Compton scattering in the crystal. The scattered γ ray
can either interact a second time with the detector (depositing its full energy) or it may
escape the detector depositing only part of its energy.
• Object scatter event: a γ ray is not emitted toward the collimator holes but scattered
by the body and passes through a collimator hole and subsequently is detected. It
produces a smaller signal in the detector. These events lead to loss of contrast.
• Spatial penetration: in this case a γ ray is emitted toward the collimator, but not in
parallel to it. Causing blurring of the image.
Among the performance characteristics of the gamma camera the spatial resolution is a
measurement of the sharpness and detail of a gamma camera image. The intrinsic spatial
resolution is the limit of spatial resolution achievable by the detector and electronics, ignoring
additional blurring due to the collimator. Intrinsic resolution becomes worse with decreasing γ
ray energy because lower energy γ rays produce fewer light photons per scintillation event,
and smaller numbers of light photons result in larger relative statistical fluctuations in their
distribution. It also depends on detector crystal thickness. Thicker detectors result in greater
spreading of scintillation light before it reaches the PM tubes.
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 9
The tread-off in gamma cameras is between detector efficiency and intrinsic spatial
resolution. The gamma camera is designed to provide acceptable detection efficiency while
maintaining high intrinsic spatial resolution in the energy range of 100-200 keV.
VIII. SPECT
Now we move into the tomographic imaging realm. A SPECT (Single Photon Emission
Computed Tomopraphy) camera consists of a gamma camera or a set of gamma cameras
mounted on a gantry so that the detector can record projections from many equally spaced
angular intervals around the body.
A coordinate system (r,s) helps to determine how radioactivity at a location (x,y) in the object
contributes to the signal recorded at location r in the projection acquired at rotation angle φ.
A Sinogram is a representation of the full set of projection data in the form of a 2-D matrix
p(r,φ). Each row across the matrix represents an intensity displayed across a single
projection. The successive rows represent successive projection angles.
There are different techniques to reconstruct tomographic images like the simple back-
projection, which its general propose is to generate a 2D cross sectional image of activity
from a slice within the object, using the projection profiles obtained for that slice. In the back-
projection the counts recorded in a particular projection profile element are divided uniformly
amongst the pixels that fall within its projection path. When the backprojections for all profiles
are added together, an approximation of the distribution of radioactivity within the scanned
slice is obtained. The reconstruction of the simple back-projection results in low quality
images this is the reason why the filtered back-projection is commonly used.
Another technique is the direct Fourier transform reconstruction that is a method for
representing spatially varying data. The amplitudes for different spatial frequencies are
represented in the FT of f(x); and the iterative reconstruction algorithms.
IX. PET
The other nuclear medicine tomographic modality is the Positron Emission Tomography
(PET), which is the most sensitive method for quantitative measurement of physiologic
processes in vivo. It only uses positron-emitting radionuclide. PET detectors detect the back
to back annihilation photons that are produced when a positron interacts with an ordinary
electron.
Coincidence detection in a PET camera (from University of Washington Division of Nuclear Medicine)
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 10
As seen on the last figure, in order to detect the coincidences the geometry of the PET
detectors consists in a ring. Several parallel rings form the complete detection panel of the
system.
A coincidence event is assigned to a line of response (LOR) joining the two relevant
detectors. In this way, positional information is gained from the detected radiation without the
need for a physical collimator. This is known as electronic collimation. Electronic collimation
has two major advantages over physical collimation. These are improved sensitivity and
improved uniformity of the point source response function.
Coincidence events in PET can be of four kinds: true, scattered, random and multiple. As
shown in the following figure.
PET Coincidence kinds
True coincidences occur when both photons from an annihilation event are detected by
detectors in coincidence, neither photon undergoes any form of interaction prior to detection,
and no other event is detected within the coincidence time-window.
A scattered coincidence is one in which at least one of the detected photons has undergone
at least one Compton scattering event prior to detection. Since the direction of the photon is
changed during the Compton scattering process, it is highly likely that the resulting
coincidence event will be assigned to the wrong line of response. Scattered coincidences
add a background to the true coincidence distribution which changes slowly with position,
decreasing contrast and causing the isotope concentrations to be overestimated. They also
add statistical noise to the signal. The number of scattered events detected depends on the
volume and attenuation characteristics of the object being imaged, and on the geometry of
the camera.
Random coincidences occur when two photons not arising from the same annihilation event
are incident on the detectors within the coincidence time window of the system. The number
of random coincidences in a given LOR is closely linked to the rate of single events
measured by the detectors joined by that LOR and the rate of random coincidences increase
roughly with the square of the activity in the FOV. As with scattered events, the number of
random coincidences detected also depends on the volume and attenuation characteristics
of the object being imaged, and on the geometry of the camera. The distribution of random
coincidences is fairly uniform across the field of view, and will cause isotope concentrations
to be overestimated if not corrected for. Random coincidences also add statistical noise to
the data.
Most cameras employing block-detector technology may be operated either in "2D" mode or
"3D" mode. In 2D mode thin septa of lead or tungsten separate each crystal ring and
coincidences are only recorded between detectors within the same ring or lying in closely
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 11
neighboring rings. Coincidences between detectors in closely neighboring rings are summed
or rebinned to produce a dataset consisting of 2P+1 co-planar sets of LORs normal to the
axis of the camera, where P is the number of detector rings. Such a dataset may be
reconstructed into images using tomographic techniques like the ones discussed by SPECT.
PET 2D and 3D Modes
Corrections for scatter, randoms and the effects of attenuation are applied to data acquired in
a PET camera then the number of counts assigned to an LOR joining a pair of crystals is
proportional to a line integral of the activity along that LOR. Parallel sets of such line integrals
are known as projections. Reconstruction of images from projections is a problem to which
much attention has been paid over the last 30 years, and many analytical and iterative
reconstruction schemata exist on in the computational burden.
One way to get attenuation correction is by running a transmission scan. It uses a radioactive
source to produce an attenuation “map” of the body of the patient. A reference scan called
“blank” is always done in order to obtain the ratio of the blank counts that is used for
corrections and quality assurance.
X. CT Principles
The principles of CT are conceptually simple. Physically, X-rays can traverse a cross-section
of an object along straight lines, are attenuated by the object, and detected outside it. During
CT scanning, the cross-section is probed with X-rays from various directions; attenuated
signals are recorded and converted to projections of the linear attenuation coefficient
distribution of the cross-section. These X-ray shadows are directly related to the Fourier
transform of the cross-section, and can be processed to reconstruct the cross-section.
Hounsfield Scale
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 12
The measured attenuations of the X-rays passing through the patient are converted into
pixels and converted into CT numbers (Hounsfield units (HU)).
The 3D CT images are obtained from 2D transverse slices which show anatomical
information in terms of tissue densities (HU).
Because we cannot see the difference between 2000 different shades of grey it would be
pointless to produce an image which covered the whole range of Hounsfield numbers. In
order to produce a useful image of the area of interest a system of windowing and levels is
used.
The available grey scale is spread over the chosen range of Hounsfield numbers. The
window defines the upper and lower limits of this range. To produce an image which shows
up most major structures a large window is used. For more detailed information about tissues
with very similar density a small window is used. The smaller the window the more detailed
the image but the range of tissue density that is seen is reduced.
The level is the Hounsfield number at the centre of the window. This is chosen so that the
window covers the type of tissue you are interested in. To image dense tissues a high level is
used and to image low density tissues a low level is used.
Multi-slice detector geometries allow whole-body imaging, reduces scanning times (of a few
seconds) which brings that the patient discomfort is reduced and movement artifacts in
images are minimized.
To enhance some structures with similar tissue density values, contrast media (high density
substances) are used.
XI. PET/CT principles
The PET images offer a great functional contrast but don’t provide too good anatomical
resolution. On the other hand, the CT images provide a very good anatomical representation
but it is difficult to find out functional information out of it. The combination of PET and CT in
a single device provides simultaneous structural and biochemical information (fused images)
under almost identical conditions, minimizing the temporal and spatial differences between
the two imaging modalities.
Basic components of a PET/CT system
Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006
Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 13
Among the advantages that having this two modalities together offers we can find that the
patient stays on the same table for both acquisitions minimizing any intrinsic spatial
misalignment; the total examination of PET is notably reduced; because of the transmission
scan is being done by the CT reducing in this way the costs of maintenance and of replacing
the radioactive source available in the standard PET scanners.
The PET/CT examination starts with the injection of the radionuclide. After an uptake time
the patient is positioned as comfortable as possible on the table of the PET/CT scanner.
Normally a CT-topogram follows. Then the table moves into the start position of the PET
system and the emission scan is initiated. By the time the emission PET scan is completed
the CT transmission images have been already reconstructed and available for the
attenuation and scatter corrections of the emission data. The total time for the images to be
ready for diagnostics is restricted to the reconstruction time which is more or less the time
taken to have enough counts for each bed position of the PET acquisition.
XII. Conclusions
The Joint Advanced Students School in San Petersburg will be giving us the opportunity to
share with other colleagues from the TU-Munich and the State University of St. Petersburg
some information about our own areas of interest. I expect that this material and my
presentation will be useful to other colleagues to have an introduction into the basics of
nuclear medicine functional imaging. I have tried to keep it simple not going too deep into
details but trying to have it as complete as possible. The presentation will include the themes
of this text and some more applications for the different devices treated on it. It will be very
well complemented by the information covered at the presentation of my colleague Irene
Torres.
I am looking forward to participating in the JASS-2006. I will be very happy to talk to the other
participants and share and learn what we do in our universities and of course about the way
of living and culture of both places. As a added value some students like me are not
originally from Germany so we will have a richer cultural environment. I am sure that this
event will bring lots of good things to both universities and to us as human beings. Let’s be
prepared for a very successful meeting!
XIII. Bibliography
Sibylle I. Ziegler, Maria José Martínez. Slides and notes from the Nuclear Medicine class.
Kauffmann, Moser, Sauer. „Radiologie“. 2. Edition. Urban & Fischer Verlag. 2001, München.
Simon R. Cherry, James A. Sorenson, Michael E. Phelps. “Physics in Nuclear Medicine”. 3rd
edition. Saunders. 2003, Philadelphia.
Introduction to PET Physics. University of Washington Division of Nuclear Medicine.
http://depts.washington.edu/
Technical and Historical Perspectives of Remote Sensing. http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/
Wang and Michael W. Vannier. “Computerized tomography”. Department of Radiology
University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. http://dolphin.radiology.uiowa.edu/
Techniques Tutorial. http://cal.man.ac.uk/

More Related Content

What's hot

Nuclear Medicine - PET/CT
Nuclear Medicine - PET/CTNuclear Medicine - PET/CT
Nuclear Medicine - PET/CT@Saudi_nmc
 
What is Nuclear Medicine and PET?
What is Nuclear Medicine and PET?What is Nuclear Medicine and PET?
What is Nuclear Medicine and PET?todd_charge
 
Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and quality control presentation
 Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and quality control presentation Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and quality control presentation
Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and quality control presentationMumba Chilimboyi
 
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine.ppt 2
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine.ppt 2Radiation protection in nuclear medicine.ppt 2
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine.ppt 2Rad Tech
 
Flouroscopic imging
Flouroscopic imgingFlouroscopic imging
Flouroscopic imgingSahith Reddy
 
Helical and Multislice CT
Helical and Multislice CTHelical and Multislice CT
Helical and Multislice CTManojzz Bhatta
 
Quality Assurance Programme in Computed Tomography
Quality Assurance Programme in Computed TomographyQuality Assurance Programme in Computed Tomography
Quality Assurance Programme in Computed TomographyRamzee Small
 
SPECT SCAN
SPECT SCANSPECT SCAN
SPECT SCANsensuiii
 
Brachytherapy msc lecture sam copy
Brachytherapy msc lecture sam copyBrachytherapy msc lecture sam copy
Brachytherapy msc lecture sam copyAyodele Dinyo
 
Production of radio nuclides + Production of Short-Lived Radionuclide
Production of radio nuclides + Production of Short-Lived RadionuclideProduction of radio nuclides + Production of Short-Lived Radionuclide
Production of radio nuclides + Production of Short-Lived RadionuclideAhmad Hassan
 
Teletherapy Cobalt-60 Machines
Teletherapy Cobalt-60 MachinesTeletherapy Cobalt-60 Machines
Teletherapy Cobalt-60 MachinesAmin Amin
 

What's hot (20)

Nuclear Medicine - PET/CT
Nuclear Medicine - PET/CTNuclear Medicine - PET/CT
Nuclear Medicine - PET/CT
 
What is Nuclear Medicine and PET?
What is Nuclear Medicine and PET?What is Nuclear Medicine and PET?
What is Nuclear Medicine and PET?
 
Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and quality control presentation
 Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and quality control presentation Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and quality control presentation
Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation and quality control presentation
 
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine.ppt 2
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine.ppt 2Radiation protection in nuclear medicine.ppt 2
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine.ppt 2
 
Linear Accelerator
Linear AcceleratorLinear Accelerator
Linear Accelerator
 
Icrp60
Icrp60Icrp60
Icrp60
 
Flouroscopic imging
Flouroscopic imgingFlouroscopic imging
Flouroscopic imging
 
Epid
EpidEpid
Epid
 
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine shafiee
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine shafieeRadiation protection in nuclear medicine shafiee
Radiation protection in nuclear medicine shafiee
 
Helical and Multislice CT
Helical and Multislice CTHelical and Multislice CT
Helical and Multislice CT
 
Quality Assurance Programme in Computed Tomography
Quality Assurance Programme in Computed TomographyQuality Assurance Programme in Computed Tomography
Quality Assurance Programme in Computed Tomography
 
SPECT SCAN
SPECT SCANSPECT SCAN
SPECT SCAN
 
Brachytherapy msc lecture sam copy
Brachytherapy msc lecture sam copyBrachytherapy msc lecture sam copy
Brachytherapy msc lecture sam copy
 
LINEAR ACCELERATOR
LINEAR ACCELERATORLINEAR ACCELERATOR
LINEAR ACCELERATOR
 
PET Cyclotron
PET Cyclotron PET Cyclotron
PET Cyclotron
 
Dual Energy CT - SIEMENS
Dual Energy CT - SIEMENSDual Energy CT - SIEMENS
Dual Energy CT - SIEMENS
 
Nuclear imaging
Nuclear imagingNuclear imaging
Nuclear imaging
 
SPECT
SPECTSPECT
SPECT
 
Production of radio nuclides + Production of Short-Lived Radionuclide
Production of radio nuclides + Production of Short-Lived RadionuclideProduction of radio nuclides + Production of Short-Lived Radionuclide
Production of radio nuclides + Production of Short-Lived Radionuclide
 
Teletherapy Cobalt-60 Machines
Teletherapy Cobalt-60 MachinesTeletherapy Cobalt-60 Machines
Teletherapy Cobalt-60 Machines
 

Similar to Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT imaging

Diploma Thesis final
Diploma Thesis finalDiploma Thesis final
Diploma Thesis finalRebecca Boll
 
Nuclear micro battery
Nuclear micro batteryNuclear micro battery
Nuclear micro batteryVishnu M T
 
Radiobiology for Clinical Oncologists, Introduction
Radiobiology for Clinical Oncologists, IntroductionRadiobiology for Clinical Oncologists, Introduction
Radiobiology for Clinical Oncologists, IntroductionDina Barakat
 
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF RADIATION ABSORPTION 1.pptx
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF RADIATION ABSORPTION 1.pptxPHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF RADIATION ABSORPTION 1.pptx
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF RADIATION ABSORPTION 1.pptxDr Monica P
 
Organic solar cells the exciting interplay of excitons and nano-morphology
Organic solar cells the exciting interplay of excitons and nano-morphologyOrganic solar cells the exciting interplay of excitons and nano-morphology
Organic solar cells the exciting interplay of excitons and nano-morphologyvvgk-thalluri
 
Electron beam technology
Electron beam technologyElectron beam technology
Electron beam technologyAdarsh M.kalla
 
Electron Microscopy Principle and Application
Electron Microscopy Principle and ApplicationElectron Microscopy Principle and Application
Electron Microscopy Principle and ApplicationKARTHIK REDDY C A
 
physical interaction of x ray with matter
physical interaction of x ray with matter physical interaction of x ray with matter
physical interaction of x ray with matter charusmita chaudhary
 
Instrumentation of Mass Spectrometry
 Instrumentation of Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation of Mass Spectrometry
Instrumentation of Mass SpectrometrySowmya B U Jain
 
Radioactivity & Radiopharmaceuticals Manik
Radioactivity & Radiopharmaceuticals ManikRadioactivity & Radiopharmaceuticals Manik
Radioactivity & Radiopharmaceuticals ManikImran Nur Manik
 
Interaction Between Matter and X ray
Interaction Between Matter and X rayInteraction Between Matter and X ray
Interaction Between Matter and X rayPratik Panasara
 
Piezoelectric Photothermal Spectroscopy (PPT)_V4
Piezoelectric Photothermal Spectroscopy (PPT)_V4Piezoelectric Photothermal Spectroscopy (PPT)_V4
Piezoelectric Photothermal Spectroscopy (PPT)_V4Nadal Sarkytbayev
 
Self assembly in photovoltaic devices
Self assembly in photovoltaic devicesSelf assembly in photovoltaic devices
Self assembly in photovoltaic devicesZaahir Salam
 
Gamma Interactions and Gamma Spectroscopy with Scintillation Detectors
Gamma Interactions and Gamma Spectroscopy with Scintillation DetectorsGamma Interactions and Gamma Spectroscopy with Scintillation Detectors
Gamma Interactions and Gamma Spectroscopy with Scintillation DetectorsDaniel Maierhafer
 
Iisrt zz saravana kumar
Iisrt zz saravana kumarIisrt zz saravana kumar
Iisrt zz saravana kumarIISRT
 
Study of Radiation Interaction Mechanisms of Different Nuclear Detectors
Study of Radiation Interaction Mechanisms of Different Nuclear DetectorsStudy of Radiation Interaction Mechanisms of Different Nuclear Detectors
Study of Radiation Interaction Mechanisms of Different Nuclear DetectorsIJAEMSJORNAL
 
02. Radiation and Radiation Protection 2324.pdf
02. Radiation and Radiation Protection 2324.pdf02. Radiation and Radiation Protection 2324.pdf
02. Radiation and Radiation Protection 2324.pdfMassimoZucchetti4
 
nuclear medicine 10 marks questions and answers.docx
nuclear medicine 10 marks questions and answers.docxnuclear medicine 10 marks questions and answers.docx
nuclear medicine 10 marks questions and answers.docxGanesan Yogananthem
 
Nuclear medicineandradiotherapy fin
Nuclear medicineandradiotherapy finNuclear medicineandradiotherapy fin
Nuclear medicineandradiotherapy finMUBOSScz
 

Similar to Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT imaging (20)

Diploma Thesis final
Diploma Thesis finalDiploma Thesis final
Diploma Thesis final
 
Nuclear micro battery
Nuclear micro batteryNuclear micro battery
Nuclear micro battery
 
Radiobiology for Clinical Oncologists, Introduction
Radiobiology for Clinical Oncologists, IntroductionRadiobiology for Clinical Oncologists, Introduction
Radiobiology for Clinical Oncologists, Introduction
 
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF RADIATION ABSORPTION 1.pptx
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF RADIATION ABSORPTION 1.pptxPHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF RADIATION ABSORPTION 1.pptx
PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF RADIATION ABSORPTION 1.pptx
 
Organic solar cells the exciting interplay of excitons and nano-morphology
Organic solar cells the exciting interplay of excitons and nano-morphologyOrganic solar cells the exciting interplay of excitons and nano-morphology
Organic solar cells the exciting interplay of excitons and nano-morphology
 
Electron beam technology
Electron beam technologyElectron beam technology
Electron beam technology
 
Electron Microscopy Principle and Application
Electron Microscopy Principle and ApplicationElectron Microscopy Principle and Application
Electron Microscopy Principle and Application
 
physical interaction of x ray with matter
physical interaction of x ray with matter physical interaction of x ray with matter
physical interaction of x ray with matter
 
Instrumentation of Mass Spectrometry
 Instrumentation of Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation of Mass Spectrometry
Instrumentation of Mass Spectrometry
 
Radioactivity & Radiopharmaceuticals Manik
Radioactivity & Radiopharmaceuticals ManikRadioactivity & Radiopharmaceuticals Manik
Radioactivity & Radiopharmaceuticals Manik
 
Interaction Between Matter and X ray
Interaction Between Matter and X rayInteraction Between Matter and X ray
Interaction Between Matter and X ray
 
Thesis
ThesisThesis
Thesis
 
Piezoelectric Photothermal Spectroscopy (PPT)_V4
Piezoelectric Photothermal Spectroscopy (PPT)_V4Piezoelectric Photothermal Spectroscopy (PPT)_V4
Piezoelectric Photothermal Spectroscopy (PPT)_V4
 
Self assembly in photovoltaic devices
Self assembly in photovoltaic devicesSelf assembly in photovoltaic devices
Self assembly in photovoltaic devices
 
Gamma Interactions and Gamma Spectroscopy with Scintillation Detectors
Gamma Interactions and Gamma Spectroscopy with Scintillation DetectorsGamma Interactions and Gamma Spectroscopy with Scintillation Detectors
Gamma Interactions and Gamma Spectroscopy with Scintillation Detectors
 
Iisrt zz saravana kumar
Iisrt zz saravana kumarIisrt zz saravana kumar
Iisrt zz saravana kumar
 
Study of Radiation Interaction Mechanisms of Different Nuclear Detectors
Study of Radiation Interaction Mechanisms of Different Nuclear DetectorsStudy of Radiation Interaction Mechanisms of Different Nuclear Detectors
Study of Radiation Interaction Mechanisms of Different Nuclear Detectors
 
02. Radiation and Radiation Protection 2324.pdf
02. Radiation and Radiation Protection 2324.pdf02. Radiation and Radiation Protection 2324.pdf
02. Radiation and Radiation Protection 2324.pdf
 
nuclear medicine 10 marks questions and answers.docx
nuclear medicine 10 marks questions and answers.docxnuclear medicine 10 marks questions and answers.docx
nuclear medicine 10 marks questions and answers.docx
 
Nuclear medicineandradiotherapy fin
Nuclear medicineandradiotherapy finNuclear medicineandradiotherapy fin
Nuclear medicineandradiotherapy fin
 

More from @Saudi_nmc

Radiologic world
Radiologic worldRadiologic world
Radiologic world@Saudi_nmc
 
Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan
Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion ScanPulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan
Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan@Saudi_nmc
 
what radiographer need to know covid-19
what radiographer need to know covid-19what radiographer need to know covid-19
what radiographer need to know covid-19@Saudi_nmc
 
what radiographer need to know covid-19
what radiographer need to know covid-19what radiographer need to know covid-19
what radiographer need to know covid-19@Saudi_nmc
 
parathyroid scan
parathyroid scanparathyroid scan
parathyroid scan@Saudi_nmc
 
Radionuclide Production - Nuclear Medicine
Radionuclide Production - Nuclear MedicineRadionuclide Production - Nuclear Medicine
Radionuclide Production - Nuclear Medicine@Saudi_nmc
 
Mechanisms of radiopharmaceutical localization
Mechanisms of radiopharmaceutical localizationMechanisms of radiopharmaceutical localization
Mechanisms of radiopharmaceutical localization@Saudi_nmc
 
Factors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals
Factors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticalsFactors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals
Factors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals@Saudi_nmc
 
Nuclear Medicine Formulas
Nuclear Medicine FormulasNuclear Medicine Formulas
Nuclear Medicine Formulas@Saudi_nmc
 
Therapeutic application
Therapeutic applicationTherapeutic application
Therapeutic application@Saudi_nmc
 
Radionuclide Generators and Equilibrium
Radionuclide Generators and EquilibriumRadionuclide Generators and Equilibrium
Radionuclide Generators and Equilibrium@Saudi_nmc
 
Radiation Safety in the Workplace
Radiation Safety in the WorkplaceRadiation Safety in the Workplace
Radiation Safety in the Workplace@Saudi_nmc
 
Detection of Gamma Radiation
Detection of Gamma RadiationDetection of Gamma Radiation
Detection of Gamma Radiation@Saudi_nmc
 

More from @Saudi_nmc (20)

Radiologic world
Radiologic worldRadiologic world
Radiologic world
 
Rinad
RinadRinad
Rinad
 
Saleh
SalehSaleh
Saleh
 
Taif hejji
Taif hejjiTaif hejji
Taif hejji
 
Zahera
ZaheraZahera
Zahera
 
Zohoor
ZohoorZohoor
Zohoor
 
Dina
DinaDina
Dina
 
Obai
ObaiObai
Obai
 
Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan
Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion ScanPulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan
Pulmonary Ventilation and Perfusion Scan
 
what radiographer need to know covid-19
what radiographer need to know covid-19what radiographer need to know covid-19
what radiographer need to know covid-19
 
what radiographer need to know covid-19
what radiographer need to know covid-19what radiographer need to know covid-19
what radiographer need to know covid-19
 
parathyroid scan
parathyroid scanparathyroid scan
parathyroid scan
 
Radionuclide Production - Nuclear Medicine
Radionuclide Production - Nuclear MedicineRadionuclide Production - Nuclear Medicine
Radionuclide Production - Nuclear Medicine
 
Mechanisms of radiopharmaceutical localization
Mechanisms of radiopharmaceutical localizationMechanisms of radiopharmaceutical localization
Mechanisms of radiopharmaceutical localization
 
Factors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals
Factors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticalsFactors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals
Factors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals
 
Nuclear Medicine Formulas
Nuclear Medicine FormulasNuclear Medicine Formulas
Nuclear Medicine Formulas
 
Therapeutic application
Therapeutic applicationTherapeutic application
Therapeutic application
 
Radionuclide Generators and Equilibrium
Radionuclide Generators and EquilibriumRadionuclide Generators and Equilibrium
Radionuclide Generators and Equilibrium
 
Radiation Safety in the Workplace
Radiation Safety in the WorkplaceRadiation Safety in the Workplace
Radiation Safety in the Workplace
 
Detection of Gamma Radiation
Detection of Gamma RadiationDetection of Gamma Radiation
Detection of Gamma Radiation
 

Recently uploaded

Call Girls Service Chennai Jiya 7001305949 Independent Escort Service Chennai
Call Girls Service Chennai Jiya 7001305949 Independent Escort Service ChennaiCall Girls Service Chennai Jiya 7001305949 Independent Escort Service Chennai
Call Girls Service Chennai Jiya 7001305949 Independent Escort Service ChennaiNehru place Escorts
 
Call Girls Whitefield Just Call 7001305949 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
Call Girls Whitefield Just Call 7001305949 Top Class Call Girl Service AvailableCall Girls Whitefield Just Call 7001305949 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
Call Girls Whitefield Just Call 7001305949 Top Class Call Girl Service Availablenarwatsonia7
 
Call Girls Service In Shyam Nagar Whatsapp 8445551418 Independent Escort Service
Call Girls Service In Shyam Nagar Whatsapp 8445551418 Independent Escort ServiceCall Girls Service In Shyam Nagar Whatsapp 8445551418 Independent Escort Service
Call Girls Service In Shyam Nagar Whatsapp 8445551418 Independent Escort Serviceparulsinha
 
Russian Call Girls in Pune Tanvi 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call g...
Russian Call Girls in Pune Tanvi 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call g...Russian Call Girls in Pune Tanvi 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call g...
Russian Call Girls in Pune Tanvi 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call g...Miss joya
 
VIP Call Girls Pune Vrinda 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call girls S...
VIP Call Girls Pune Vrinda 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call girls S...VIP Call Girls Pune Vrinda 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call girls S...
VIP Call Girls Pune Vrinda 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call girls S...Miss joya
 
Russian Call Girls in Pune Riya 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call gi...
Russian Call Girls in Pune Riya 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call gi...Russian Call Girls in Pune Riya 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call gi...
Russian Call Girls in Pune Riya 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call gi...Miss joya
 
VIP Call Girls Indore Kirti 💚😋 9256729539 🚀 Indore Escorts
VIP Call Girls Indore Kirti 💚😋  9256729539 🚀 Indore EscortsVIP Call Girls Indore Kirti 💚😋  9256729539 🚀 Indore Escorts
VIP Call Girls Indore Kirti 💚😋 9256729539 🚀 Indore Escortsaditipandeya
 
Sonagachi Call Girls Services 9907093804 @24x7 High Class Babes Here Call Now
Sonagachi Call Girls Services 9907093804 @24x7 High Class Babes Here Call NowSonagachi Call Girls Services 9907093804 @24x7 High Class Babes Here Call Now
Sonagachi Call Girls Services 9907093804 @24x7 High Class Babes Here Call NowRiya Pathan
 
Hi,Fi Call Girl In Mysore Road - 7001305949 | 24x7 Service Available Near Me
Hi,Fi Call Girl In Mysore Road - 7001305949 | 24x7 Service Available Near MeHi,Fi Call Girl In Mysore Road - 7001305949 | 24x7 Service Available Near Me
Hi,Fi Call Girl In Mysore Road - 7001305949 | 24x7 Service Available Near Menarwatsonia7
 
Call Girls Horamavu WhatsApp Number 7001035870 Meeting With Bangalore Escorts
Call Girls Horamavu WhatsApp Number 7001035870 Meeting With Bangalore EscortsCall Girls Horamavu WhatsApp Number 7001035870 Meeting With Bangalore Escorts
Call Girls Horamavu WhatsApp Number 7001035870 Meeting With Bangalore Escortsvidya singh
 
Aspirin presentation slides by Dr. Rewas Ali
Aspirin presentation slides by Dr. Rewas AliAspirin presentation slides by Dr. Rewas Ali
Aspirin presentation slides by Dr. Rewas AliRewAs ALI
 
VIP Call Girls Tirunelveli Aaradhya 8250192130 Independent Escort Service Tir...
VIP Call Girls Tirunelveli Aaradhya 8250192130 Independent Escort Service Tir...VIP Call Girls Tirunelveli Aaradhya 8250192130 Independent Escort Service Tir...
VIP Call Girls Tirunelveli Aaradhya 8250192130 Independent Escort Service Tir...narwatsonia7
 
Call Girls In Andheri East Call 9920874524 Book Hot And Sexy Girls
Call Girls In Andheri East Call 9920874524 Book Hot And Sexy GirlsCall Girls In Andheri East Call 9920874524 Book Hot And Sexy Girls
Call Girls In Andheri East Call 9920874524 Book Hot And Sexy Girlsnehamumbai
 
Housewife Call Girls Hoskote | 7001305949 At Low Cost Cash Payment Booking
Housewife Call Girls Hoskote | 7001305949 At Low Cost Cash Payment BookingHousewife Call Girls Hoskote | 7001305949 At Low Cost Cash Payment Booking
Housewife Call Girls Hoskote | 7001305949 At Low Cost Cash Payment Bookingnarwatsonia7
 
Call Girl Service Bidadi - For 7001305949 Cheap & Best with original Photos
Call Girl Service Bidadi - For 7001305949 Cheap & Best with original PhotosCall Girl Service Bidadi - For 7001305949 Cheap & Best with original Photos
Call Girl Service Bidadi - For 7001305949 Cheap & Best with original Photosnarwatsonia7
 
Call Girls Service Noida Maya 9711199012 Independent Escort Service Noida
Call Girls Service Noida Maya 9711199012 Independent Escort Service NoidaCall Girls Service Noida Maya 9711199012 Independent Escort Service Noida
Call Girls Service Noida Maya 9711199012 Independent Escort Service NoidaPooja Gupta
 
CALL ON ➥9907093804 🔝 Call Girls Baramati ( Pune) Girls Service
CALL ON ➥9907093804 🔝 Call Girls Baramati ( Pune)  Girls ServiceCALL ON ➥9907093804 🔝 Call Girls Baramati ( Pune)  Girls Service
CALL ON ➥9907093804 🔝 Call Girls Baramati ( Pune) Girls ServiceMiss joya
 
Artifacts in Nuclear Medicine with Identifying and resolving artifacts.
Artifacts in Nuclear Medicine with Identifying and resolving artifacts.Artifacts in Nuclear Medicine with Identifying and resolving artifacts.
Artifacts in Nuclear Medicine with Identifying and resolving artifacts.MiadAlsulami
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Call Girls Service Chennai Jiya 7001305949 Independent Escort Service Chennai
Call Girls Service Chennai Jiya 7001305949 Independent Escort Service ChennaiCall Girls Service Chennai Jiya 7001305949 Independent Escort Service Chennai
Call Girls Service Chennai Jiya 7001305949 Independent Escort Service Chennai
 
Call Girls Whitefield Just Call 7001305949 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
Call Girls Whitefield Just Call 7001305949 Top Class Call Girl Service AvailableCall Girls Whitefield Just Call 7001305949 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
Call Girls Whitefield Just Call 7001305949 Top Class Call Girl Service Available
 
Call Girls Service In Shyam Nagar Whatsapp 8445551418 Independent Escort Service
Call Girls Service In Shyam Nagar Whatsapp 8445551418 Independent Escort ServiceCall Girls Service In Shyam Nagar Whatsapp 8445551418 Independent Escort Service
Call Girls Service In Shyam Nagar Whatsapp 8445551418 Independent Escort Service
 
Russian Call Girls in Pune Tanvi 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call g...
Russian Call Girls in Pune Tanvi 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call g...Russian Call Girls in Pune Tanvi 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call g...
Russian Call Girls in Pune Tanvi 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call g...
 
VIP Call Girls Pune Vrinda 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call girls S...
VIP Call Girls Pune Vrinda 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call girls S...VIP Call Girls Pune Vrinda 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call girls S...
VIP Call Girls Pune Vrinda 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call girls S...
 
Russian Call Girls in Pune Riya 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call gi...
Russian Call Girls in Pune Riya 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call gi...Russian Call Girls in Pune Riya 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call gi...
Russian Call Girls in Pune Riya 9907093804 Short 1500 Night 6000 Best call gi...
 
VIP Call Girls Indore Kirti 💚😋 9256729539 🚀 Indore Escorts
VIP Call Girls Indore Kirti 💚😋  9256729539 🚀 Indore EscortsVIP Call Girls Indore Kirti 💚😋  9256729539 🚀 Indore Escorts
VIP Call Girls Indore Kirti 💚😋 9256729539 🚀 Indore Escorts
 
Sonagachi Call Girls Services 9907093804 @24x7 High Class Babes Here Call Now
Sonagachi Call Girls Services 9907093804 @24x7 High Class Babes Here Call NowSonagachi Call Girls Services 9907093804 @24x7 High Class Babes Here Call Now
Sonagachi Call Girls Services 9907093804 @24x7 High Class Babes Here Call Now
 
Russian Call Girls in Delhi Tanvi ➡️ 9711199012 💋📞 Independent Escort Service...
Russian Call Girls in Delhi Tanvi ➡️ 9711199012 💋📞 Independent Escort Service...Russian Call Girls in Delhi Tanvi ➡️ 9711199012 💋📞 Independent Escort Service...
Russian Call Girls in Delhi Tanvi ➡️ 9711199012 💋📞 Independent Escort Service...
 
Hi,Fi Call Girl In Mysore Road - 7001305949 | 24x7 Service Available Near Me
Hi,Fi Call Girl In Mysore Road - 7001305949 | 24x7 Service Available Near MeHi,Fi Call Girl In Mysore Road - 7001305949 | 24x7 Service Available Near Me
Hi,Fi Call Girl In Mysore Road - 7001305949 | 24x7 Service Available Near Me
 
sauth delhi call girls in Bhajanpura 🔝 9953056974 🔝 escort Service
sauth delhi call girls in Bhajanpura 🔝 9953056974 🔝 escort Servicesauth delhi call girls in Bhajanpura 🔝 9953056974 🔝 escort Service
sauth delhi call girls in Bhajanpura 🔝 9953056974 🔝 escort Service
 
Call Girls Horamavu WhatsApp Number 7001035870 Meeting With Bangalore Escorts
Call Girls Horamavu WhatsApp Number 7001035870 Meeting With Bangalore EscortsCall Girls Horamavu WhatsApp Number 7001035870 Meeting With Bangalore Escorts
Call Girls Horamavu WhatsApp Number 7001035870 Meeting With Bangalore Escorts
 
Aspirin presentation slides by Dr. Rewas Ali
Aspirin presentation slides by Dr. Rewas AliAspirin presentation slides by Dr. Rewas Ali
Aspirin presentation slides by Dr. Rewas Ali
 
VIP Call Girls Tirunelveli Aaradhya 8250192130 Independent Escort Service Tir...
VIP Call Girls Tirunelveli Aaradhya 8250192130 Independent Escort Service Tir...VIP Call Girls Tirunelveli Aaradhya 8250192130 Independent Escort Service Tir...
VIP Call Girls Tirunelveli Aaradhya 8250192130 Independent Escort Service Tir...
 
Call Girls In Andheri East Call 9920874524 Book Hot And Sexy Girls
Call Girls In Andheri East Call 9920874524 Book Hot And Sexy GirlsCall Girls In Andheri East Call 9920874524 Book Hot And Sexy Girls
Call Girls In Andheri East Call 9920874524 Book Hot And Sexy Girls
 
Housewife Call Girls Hoskote | 7001305949 At Low Cost Cash Payment Booking
Housewife Call Girls Hoskote | 7001305949 At Low Cost Cash Payment BookingHousewife Call Girls Hoskote | 7001305949 At Low Cost Cash Payment Booking
Housewife Call Girls Hoskote | 7001305949 At Low Cost Cash Payment Booking
 
Call Girl Service Bidadi - For 7001305949 Cheap & Best with original Photos
Call Girl Service Bidadi - For 7001305949 Cheap & Best with original PhotosCall Girl Service Bidadi - For 7001305949 Cheap & Best with original Photos
Call Girl Service Bidadi - For 7001305949 Cheap & Best with original Photos
 
Call Girls Service Noida Maya 9711199012 Independent Escort Service Noida
Call Girls Service Noida Maya 9711199012 Independent Escort Service NoidaCall Girls Service Noida Maya 9711199012 Independent Escort Service Noida
Call Girls Service Noida Maya 9711199012 Independent Escort Service Noida
 
CALL ON ➥9907093804 🔝 Call Girls Baramati ( Pune) Girls Service
CALL ON ➥9907093804 🔝 Call Girls Baramati ( Pune)  Girls ServiceCALL ON ➥9907093804 🔝 Call Girls Baramati ( Pune)  Girls Service
CALL ON ➥9907093804 🔝 Call Girls Baramati ( Pune) Girls Service
 
Artifacts in Nuclear Medicine with Identifying and resolving artifacts.
Artifacts in Nuclear Medicine with Identifying and resolving artifacts.Artifacts in Nuclear Medicine with Identifying and resolving artifacts.
Artifacts in Nuclear Medicine with Identifying and resolving artifacts.
 

Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT imaging

  • 1. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 1 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging I. Introduction This document contains a recompilation of information taken from different books, internet sites and the material of the “Nuclear Medicine Technology” class by Dr. S. I. Ziegler at the TU-Munich. It was created to be the hand-out material complementing the presentation “Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging” at the Joint Advanced Student School in the State University of St. Petersburg. In order to have a better understanding of this theme, at the beginning the details of some basic physics principles are treated; then going from the most elementary imaging radiation detectors until reaching the elaborated techniques of the tomography image reconstruction devices and the added value of the combination of anatomical and functional imaging. II. Basic Principles In the diagnostic imaging two kinds of modalities can be differentiated. On one side the anatomical imaging, providing a very accurate visualization of the intern structures of the human body; and the functional imaging, which is aimed to quantify the physiological processes taking place inside the human body without influencing them. One of the most widely spread practices used for this purpose are contained in the Nuclear Medicine Diagnostics. The main principle of the Nuclear Medical Diagnostics is the non invasive determination of physiological processes. A radiopharmaceutical is a Radioactive Drug used for Diagnosis or Therapy in tracer quantities with no pharmacological effect. This tracer is distributed, metabolized, and excreted according to their chemical structure. The biological functions can be displayed as images, numerical data or time-activity curves. According with the physiological process that is being targeted there are different pharmaceuticals available. III. Radionuclide production The above mentioned radiopharmaceuticals are compounds of biomedical interest which have attached radionuclides as labels that allow us to quantify specific physiological processes. The radionuclides are made by bombarding nuclei of stable atoms with sub- nuclear particles so as to cause nuclear reactions that convert a stable nucleus into an unstable one. The different ways to produce radionuclides can be of primary source like the Reactor-production and the Accelerator-production or secondary source like the Radionuclide Generators. For many years the nuclear reactors have been the largest source of radionuclides but nowadays inside the Nuclear Medicine Facilities it is easier to find a kind of accelerator called cyclotron and/or radionuclide generators which will be briefly described later on. A commonly used accelerator for the production of nuclear medicine radionuclides is the cyclotron. Which consists of a pair of hollow; semicircular metal electrodes (called “dees” because of their shape), positioned between the poles of a large electromagnet. The dees are separated from one another by a narrow gap. Its principle of operation is the use of the magnetic force on a moving charge to bend moving charges into a semicircular path between accelerations by an applied electric field. The applied electric field accelerates electrons between the "dees" of the magnetic field region. The field is reversed at the cyclotron frequency to accelerate the electrons back across the gap.
  • 2. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 2 Cyclotron operation principle Radionuclide generators consist of a parent-daughter radionuclide pair contained in an apparatus that permits separation and extraction of the daughter from the parent in a physiological solution. Due to its availability in a generator form, its monoenergetic gamma rays of 140 keV emission, its ideal physical half life: 6 hours, its lack of beta emissions, its allowance for the in-house preparation of many radiopharmaceuticals the most common used radionuclide in the nuclear medicine is the Technetium 99m. Tc-99m Generator The desirable characteristics of a generator are that it should be easily transportable; that the separation of daughter from parent should happen easily, sterile and pyrogen-free with a high yield of separation, no radionuclide impurities, the parent should have a reasonable half life; the daughter should present an ideal half life and gamma energy and something very important that the chemistry of the daughter allows hospital preparation. Some radionuclide produced using this procedure are shown in the next table: Parent Half life Decay mode Daugther Half life Decay mode Product 99 Mo 66,02 h β- 99m Tc 6,02 h Isomer 99 Tc 188 W 69,4 d β- 188 Re 16,9 h β- 188 Os 68 Ge 288 d EC 68 Ga 68,3 min β+ , EC 68 Zn 82 Sr 25 d EC 82 Rb 1,25 min β+ , EC 82 Kr
  • 3. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 3 IV. Decay Modes As observed on the third and sixth columns of the last table, in order to reach a stable state the radionuclide decay in different modes, namely α emission, β- emission, positron (β+ ) emission, isomeric transition (γ emission), internal conversion (IC), electron capture (EC) and nuclear fission. For diagnostic nuclear medicine purposes the α and nuclear fission are of relatively little importance. The other modes are briefly described. The isomeric transition consists in the emission of γ-rays. An alternative to γ-ray emission that is especially common among metastable states is decay by internal conversion. In this process, the nucleus decays by transferring energy to an orbital electron which is ejected instead of the γ-ray. It is as if the γ-ray were “internally absorbed” by collision with an orbital electron. In radioactive decay by positron emission (β+ ), a proton in the nucleus is transformed into a neutron and a positron that is the antiparticle of an ordinary electron. The positron combines with the negative electron in an annihilation reaction. There is a “back to back” emission of annihilation photons that is required for conservation of momentum for the stationary electron-positron pair. The mass-energy equivalent of each particle is 0.511 MeV. Positron emitters are useful in nuclear medicine because two photons are generated per nuclear decay event. The precise directional relationship between the annihilation photons permits the use of “coincidence counting” techniques. The electron capture decay is also known as „inverse β- decay“. In this decay an orbital electron is captured by the nucleus and combines with a proton to form a neutron. Positron emission and EC have the same effect on the parent nucleus. Both are isobaric decay modes that decrease atomic number by one. Among the radioactive nuclides, one finds that β+ decay occurs more frequently among lighter elements, whereas EC is more frequently among heavier elements, since in heavy elements orbital electrons tend to be closer to the nucleus and are more easily captured. For example 18 F decays 3% of the cases by EC and 97% by β+ emission. The range of coverage of particle emission in tissue is shown in the following table: Particle Energy Coverage α (very local Therapy) few MeV < 1mm β (Therapy) 100 KeV – 1MeV ~ few mm γ (Imaging) 100 – 500 KeV > few cm The type and energy of emissions from the radionuclide determine the availability of useful photons for counting or imaging. For external detection of a radionuclide inside the body it is very important to consider the interactions that they have with the different materials. The three main interactions of high-energy photons through matter are the photoelectric effect, the Compton scattering and the pair production. V. Interaction of radiation with matter When a photon passes through a thickness of absorber material, the probability that it will experience an interaction depends on its energy and on the composition and thickness of the absorber. The dependence on thickness is relative simple; the thicker the absorber the greater the probability that an interaction will occur.
  • 4. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 4 The mass attenuation coefficient is used to describe the total reduction of x and gamma radiation (photons) at a detector due to both energy absorption and scattering. Interaction of an incident photon beam and an absorber material The mass attenuation coefficient for a mixture of elements can be obtained from the values for its component elements. ...)( 2211 ++= ffmix mmm µµµ It can also be broken down into components according to: τ is the part of µm due to photoelectric effect σ is the part of µm due to Compton Effect  κ is the part of µm due to pair production µm involves both absorption and scattering processes. The relative magnitudes of τ, σ and κ vary with the atomic number Z and energy E as observed in the following table. Photoelectric heavy elements low photon energies Compton Decreases slowly with increasing absorber atomic number σ invariant with Z and E can be found in intermediate values of Z and E Pair production it is 0 for E less than the threshold energy of 1.02 MeV it is the dominating effect at higher photon energies in absorbers of high atomic number The products of the three major photon interactions processes are shown below: Interaction Secondary Photons High-Energy Secondary electrons Photoelectric Characteristic X-Rays Photoelectrons Auger electrons Compton Scattered photon Recoil electron Pair production Annihilation photons Positive-negative electron pair The following graphic shows the probability of interaction versus photon energy for absorbers of different atomic numbers. From it we can observe that the intensity of photons reaching a detector decreases as the mass attenuation coefficient increases for the same absorber thickness and photon energy. The mass attenuation coefficient tends to increase with increasing atomic number at the same photon energy, so materials with high atomic numbers (and, hence, high mass attenuation coefficients) are normally chosen to shield x and gamma radiation. κστµ ++=m
  • 5. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 5 Probability of interaction VI. Detection In order to get counts and images it is necessary to detect the radiation emitted by the radionuclide in the body of the patient. In nuclear medicine the most used detectors are the scintillation crystals. Normally, radiation from radioactive materials interacts with matter by causing ionization and/or excitation of atoms and molecules. In this process energy is released. Most of this energy is dissipated in form of thermical energy, in the case of the scintillation crystals part of this energy is released as light. The amount of light produced following the interactions of a single particle (γ, β, etc.) is proportional to the energy deposited by the incident radiation in the scintillator. Band diagram for a scintillation crystal The following table shows the most common scintillation crystals and some of their characteristics. NaJ BGO LSO GSO NaJ:Tl Bi4Ge3O12 Lu2SiO5:Ce Gd2SiO5:Ce Density (g/cm3) 3,67 7,1 7,4 6,7 Effective atomic No. 51 73 65 59 photons/MeV 41000 9000 26000 8000 Decay time (ns) 230 300 40 60 Peak emission (nm) 415 480 420 430 Index of refraction 1.85 2.15 1.82 1.85 The small amount of light from the scintillation crystals has to be somehow increased in order to be measured. The photomultiplier tubes (PMT) are devices that do this task and allow a more accurate measurement of this light. The principle of operation of these devices is that when incident light reaches the entrance window, which is coated with a photo emissive substance called photocathode; electrons are ejected and focused towards a metal plate
  • 6. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 6 called dynode. The dynode is maintained at a positive voltage relative to the photocathode attracting the electrons to it. The dynodes are coated with a material having relatively high secondary emission characteristics. A high speed photoelectron striking the first dynode surface ejects several secondary electrons from it. Which are attracted to the next dynode which is maintained at 50-150 V higher potential than the first one here the electrons are again ejected to the next dynode and so on. At each dynode the electrons get multiplied. This situation is illustrated in the following graphic. Photomultiplier tube principle The main requirements for light detectors are a high quantum efficiency to transfer as many of the photons as possible into charge carriers to ensure high signal amplitude; a fast read out (timing applications like PET) and a good amplitude resolution because that can be translated into high energy resolution. The conversion efficiency for visible light to electrons is called the Quantum Efficiency of PMTs. VII. The Gamma Camera The purpose of a radionuclide imaging is to obtain a picture of the distribution of a radioactively labeled substance within the body after being injected und metabolized in the patient. The major components of a gamma camera are: Basic components of a Gamma Camera A collimator: used to define the direction of the detected γ rays. Consisting of a lead plate, that contains a large number of holes. A large area scintillation crystal (6-12.5 mm thick x 25 to 50 cm in diameter)
  • 7. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 7 A light guide (highly reflecting material like TiO2 and an optical glass window) An array of photomultiplier tubes; coupled optically to the back face of the crystal and arranged in a hexagonal pattern to maximize the area of the scintillation crystal. Typical PM tube sizes are 5 cm diameter. A typical gamma camera has between 30 and 100 PM tubes. Which are encased in a thin magnetic shield to prevent changes in the gain due to changes in the orientation of the gamma camera relatively to the Earth’s magnetic field. The amount of light detected by a particular PM tube is inversely related to the lateral distance between the interaction site and the center of that PM tube. Positioning and summing circuits (preamplifiers, pulse-height analyzers, automatic gain control, pulse pile-up rejection circuits, etc.) Computer Large numbers of events are necessary to form an interpretable image because each pixel must have sufficient number of counts to achieve an acceptable signal-to-noise level. The gamma camera can be used for static imaging studies, in which an image of unchanging radionuclide distribution can be recorded over an extended imaging time. Dynamic images are also possible with the gamma camera, in which changes in the radionuclide distribution can be observed, as rapidly as several images per second. Images can be also synchronized to electrocardiogram signals, permitting images of the heart in different phases of the cardiac cycle to be formed. The choice of thickness of the crystal is a trade-off between its detection efficiency (which increases with increasing thickness) and its intrinsic spatial resolution (which deteriorates with increasing thickness). The amount of light detected by a particular PM tube is inversely related to the lateral distance between the interaction site and the center of the PM tube. The Z-signal is the sum of the outputs of all the PM tubes. It is proportional to the total amount of light produced by a scintillation event in the crystal and is used for pulse-height analysis. Signals from individual PM tubes are split using resistors onto four output lines. The resistor values are chosen such that the X and Y position vary linearly with interaction position in the detector. In digital cameras, the output signal from each PM tube is digitized and the event position is calculated in software. The inverse of the resistor values are used as weighting factors for the individual PM tube signals. The nonlinearity of the PM tube response is also taken into account in these weighting factors to provide better positioning accuracy. To improve the positioning accuracy, it is common to include only the signals coming from PM tubes above a certain threshold. 2 advantages: noise reduction and the possibility of detecting multiple events simultaneously. Gamma Camera Energy Spectrum
  • 8. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 8 Energy selection is important for imaging because it provides a means to discriminate against γ rays that have been scattered in the body. Two different methods to select photo peak events: a) the use of energy discrimination on the Z-Signal. b) (only possible for digital cameras) the photo peak positions and the appropriate discriminator level are computed and stored for many different locations across the detector face. The collimator projects an image of the source distribution onto the detector by allowing only those γ rays traveling along certain directions to reach the detector. There are four basic collimator types namely pinhole, parallel hole, diverging and converging. The pinhole collimator consists of a small pinhole aperture in a piece of lead, tungsten, platinum or other heavy metal absorber. The pinhole aperture is located at the end of a lead cone. Gamma rays passing through the pinhole project an inverted image of the source distribution onto the detector crystal. The image is magnified with the distance from the source to the pinhole is smaller than the collimator cone length. Pinhole collimators are used primarily for magnification images of small organs. In the case of the parallel hole collimator, parallel holes are drilled or cast in lead or are shaped from lead foils. The lead walls between the holes are called collimator septa. This kind of collimator projects the same size as the source distribution onto the detector. For the diverging collimators the holes diverge from the detector face projecting a minified, non-inverted image of the source distribution onto the detector. A typical diverging collimator decreases the size of the image on the detector and increases the diameter of the imaged area. They are used mainly on cameras with smaller detectors to permit imaging of large organs. The Converging collimator has holes that converge to a point 40-50cm in front of the collimator projecting a magnified, non-inverted image of the source distribution. Because of magnification depends on distance, there is some image distortion with this kind of collimation. The gamma camera can detect four kinds of events which are: • Valid event: a γ ray is emitted parallel to the collimator holes, passes through a hole and interacts photo-electrically in the crystal, depositing all of its energy at a single location. • Detector scatter event: a γ ray is emitted parallel to the collimator holes, passes through a hole and interacts by Compton scattering in the crystal. The scattered γ ray can either interact a second time with the detector (depositing its full energy) or it may escape the detector depositing only part of its energy. • Object scatter event: a γ ray is not emitted toward the collimator holes but scattered by the body and passes through a collimator hole and subsequently is detected. It produces a smaller signal in the detector. These events lead to loss of contrast. • Spatial penetration: in this case a γ ray is emitted toward the collimator, but not in parallel to it. Causing blurring of the image. Among the performance characteristics of the gamma camera the spatial resolution is a measurement of the sharpness and detail of a gamma camera image. The intrinsic spatial resolution is the limit of spatial resolution achievable by the detector and electronics, ignoring additional blurring due to the collimator. Intrinsic resolution becomes worse with decreasing γ ray energy because lower energy γ rays produce fewer light photons per scintillation event, and smaller numbers of light photons result in larger relative statistical fluctuations in their distribution. It also depends on detector crystal thickness. Thicker detectors result in greater spreading of scintillation light before it reaches the PM tubes.
  • 9. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 9 The tread-off in gamma cameras is between detector efficiency and intrinsic spatial resolution. The gamma camera is designed to provide acceptable detection efficiency while maintaining high intrinsic spatial resolution in the energy range of 100-200 keV. VIII. SPECT Now we move into the tomographic imaging realm. A SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomopraphy) camera consists of a gamma camera or a set of gamma cameras mounted on a gantry so that the detector can record projections from many equally spaced angular intervals around the body. A coordinate system (r,s) helps to determine how radioactivity at a location (x,y) in the object contributes to the signal recorded at location r in the projection acquired at rotation angle φ. A Sinogram is a representation of the full set of projection data in the form of a 2-D matrix p(r,φ). Each row across the matrix represents an intensity displayed across a single projection. The successive rows represent successive projection angles. There are different techniques to reconstruct tomographic images like the simple back- projection, which its general propose is to generate a 2D cross sectional image of activity from a slice within the object, using the projection profiles obtained for that slice. In the back- projection the counts recorded in a particular projection profile element are divided uniformly amongst the pixels that fall within its projection path. When the backprojections for all profiles are added together, an approximation of the distribution of radioactivity within the scanned slice is obtained. The reconstruction of the simple back-projection results in low quality images this is the reason why the filtered back-projection is commonly used. Another technique is the direct Fourier transform reconstruction that is a method for representing spatially varying data. The amplitudes for different spatial frequencies are represented in the FT of f(x); and the iterative reconstruction algorithms. IX. PET The other nuclear medicine tomographic modality is the Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which is the most sensitive method for quantitative measurement of physiologic processes in vivo. It only uses positron-emitting radionuclide. PET detectors detect the back to back annihilation photons that are produced when a positron interacts with an ordinary electron. Coincidence detection in a PET camera (from University of Washington Division of Nuclear Medicine)
  • 10. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 10 As seen on the last figure, in order to detect the coincidences the geometry of the PET detectors consists in a ring. Several parallel rings form the complete detection panel of the system. A coincidence event is assigned to a line of response (LOR) joining the two relevant detectors. In this way, positional information is gained from the detected radiation without the need for a physical collimator. This is known as electronic collimation. Electronic collimation has two major advantages over physical collimation. These are improved sensitivity and improved uniformity of the point source response function. Coincidence events in PET can be of four kinds: true, scattered, random and multiple. As shown in the following figure. PET Coincidence kinds True coincidences occur when both photons from an annihilation event are detected by detectors in coincidence, neither photon undergoes any form of interaction prior to detection, and no other event is detected within the coincidence time-window. A scattered coincidence is one in which at least one of the detected photons has undergone at least one Compton scattering event prior to detection. Since the direction of the photon is changed during the Compton scattering process, it is highly likely that the resulting coincidence event will be assigned to the wrong line of response. Scattered coincidences add a background to the true coincidence distribution which changes slowly with position, decreasing contrast and causing the isotope concentrations to be overestimated. They also add statistical noise to the signal. The number of scattered events detected depends on the volume and attenuation characteristics of the object being imaged, and on the geometry of the camera. Random coincidences occur when two photons not arising from the same annihilation event are incident on the detectors within the coincidence time window of the system. The number of random coincidences in a given LOR is closely linked to the rate of single events measured by the detectors joined by that LOR and the rate of random coincidences increase roughly with the square of the activity in the FOV. As with scattered events, the number of random coincidences detected also depends on the volume and attenuation characteristics of the object being imaged, and on the geometry of the camera. The distribution of random coincidences is fairly uniform across the field of view, and will cause isotope concentrations to be overestimated if not corrected for. Random coincidences also add statistical noise to the data. Most cameras employing block-detector technology may be operated either in "2D" mode or "3D" mode. In 2D mode thin septa of lead or tungsten separate each crystal ring and coincidences are only recorded between detectors within the same ring or lying in closely
  • 11. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 11 neighboring rings. Coincidences between detectors in closely neighboring rings are summed or rebinned to produce a dataset consisting of 2P+1 co-planar sets of LORs normal to the axis of the camera, where P is the number of detector rings. Such a dataset may be reconstructed into images using tomographic techniques like the ones discussed by SPECT. PET 2D and 3D Modes Corrections for scatter, randoms and the effects of attenuation are applied to data acquired in a PET camera then the number of counts assigned to an LOR joining a pair of crystals is proportional to a line integral of the activity along that LOR. Parallel sets of such line integrals are known as projections. Reconstruction of images from projections is a problem to which much attention has been paid over the last 30 years, and many analytical and iterative reconstruction schemata exist on in the computational burden. One way to get attenuation correction is by running a transmission scan. It uses a radioactive source to produce an attenuation “map” of the body of the patient. A reference scan called “blank” is always done in order to obtain the ratio of the blank counts that is used for corrections and quality assurance. X. CT Principles The principles of CT are conceptually simple. Physically, X-rays can traverse a cross-section of an object along straight lines, are attenuated by the object, and detected outside it. During CT scanning, the cross-section is probed with X-rays from various directions; attenuated signals are recorded and converted to projections of the linear attenuation coefficient distribution of the cross-section. These X-ray shadows are directly related to the Fourier transform of the cross-section, and can be processed to reconstruct the cross-section. Hounsfield Scale
  • 12. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 12 The measured attenuations of the X-rays passing through the patient are converted into pixels and converted into CT numbers (Hounsfield units (HU)). The 3D CT images are obtained from 2D transverse slices which show anatomical information in terms of tissue densities (HU). Because we cannot see the difference between 2000 different shades of grey it would be pointless to produce an image which covered the whole range of Hounsfield numbers. In order to produce a useful image of the area of interest a system of windowing and levels is used. The available grey scale is spread over the chosen range of Hounsfield numbers. The window defines the upper and lower limits of this range. To produce an image which shows up most major structures a large window is used. For more detailed information about tissues with very similar density a small window is used. The smaller the window the more detailed the image but the range of tissue density that is seen is reduced. The level is the Hounsfield number at the centre of the window. This is chosen so that the window covers the type of tissue you are interested in. To image dense tissues a high level is used and to image low density tissues a low level is used. Multi-slice detector geometries allow whole-body imaging, reduces scanning times (of a few seconds) which brings that the patient discomfort is reduced and movement artifacts in images are minimized. To enhance some structures with similar tissue density values, contrast media (high density substances) are used. XI. PET/CT principles The PET images offer a great functional contrast but don’t provide too good anatomical resolution. On the other hand, the CT images provide a very good anatomical representation but it is difficult to find out functional information out of it. The combination of PET and CT in a single device provides simultaneous structural and biochemical information (fused images) under almost identical conditions, minimizing the temporal and spatial differences between the two imaging modalities. Basic components of a PET/CT system
  • 13. Marisa Bazañez-Borgert JASS2006 Basics of SPECT, PET and PET/CT Imaging 13 Among the advantages that having this two modalities together offers we can find that the patient stays on the same table for both acquisitions minimizing any intrinsic spatial misalignment; the total examination of PET is notably reduced; because of the transmission scan is being done by the CT reducing in this way the costs of maintenance and of replacing the radioactive source available in the standard PET scanners. The PET/CT examination starts with the injection of the radionuclide. After an uptake time the patient is positioned as comfortable as possible on the table of the PET/CT scanner. Normally a CT-topogram follows. Then the table moves into the start position of the PET system and the emission scan is initiated. By the time the emission PET scan is completed the CT transmission images have been already reconstructed and available for the attenuation and scatter corrections of the emission data. The total time for the images to be ready for diagnostics is restricted to the reconstruction time which is more or less the time taken to have enough counts for each bed position of the PET acquisition. XII. Conclusions The Joint Advanced Students School in San Petersburg will be giving us the opportunity to share with other colleagues from the TU-Munich and the State University of St. Petersburg some information about our own areas of interest. I expect that this material and my presentation will be useful to other colleagues to have an introduction into the basics of nuclear medicine functional imaging. I have tried to keep it simple not going too deep into details but trying to have it as complete as possible. The presentation will include the themes of this text and some more applications for the different devices treated on it. It will be very well complemented by the information covered at the presentation of my colleague Irene Torres. I am looking forward to participating in the JASS-2006. I will be very happy to talk to the other participants and share and learn what we do in our universities and of course about the way of living and culture of both places. As a added value some students like me are not originally from Germany so we will have a richer cultural environment. I am sure that this event will bring lots of good things to both universities and to us as human beings. Let’s be prepared for a very successful meeting! XIII. Bibliography Sibylle I. Ziegler, Maria José Martínez. Slides and notes from the Nuclear Medicine class. Kauffmann, Moser, Sauer. „Radiologie“. 2. Edition. Urban & Fischer Verlag. 2001, München. Simon R. Cherry, James A. Sorenson, Michael E. Phelps. “Physics in Nuclear Medicine”. 3rd edition. Saunders. 2003, Philadelphia. Introduction to PET Physics. University of Washington Division of Nuclear Medicine. http://depts.washington.edu/ Technical and Historical Perspectives of Remote Sensing. http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Wang and Michael W. Vannier. “Computerized tomography”. Department of Radiology University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. http://dolphin.radiology.uiowa.edu/ Techniques Tutorial. http://cal.man.ac.uk/