PET imaging using a triple-head gamma camera

• Published in: Clinical physiology and functional imaging Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 328 - 331
• Main Authors: Kuikka, J. T., Sohlberg, A., Husso-Saastamoinen, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.09.2002; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Brain Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; coincidence imaging; Female; fluorodeoxyglucose; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; gamma camera; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous. Technology; Oligodendroglioma - diagnostic imaging; Phantoms, Imaging; physical performance; Radionuclide investigations; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sarcoidosis - diagnostic imaging; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, Emission-Computed - instrumentation; Tomography, Emission-Computed - methods; Human; Methodology; Physical performance; Gamma camera; Exploration; Medical imagery; Diagnosis; Method; Radioisotope; Positron emission tomography
• ISSN: 1475-0961; 1475-097X
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1475-097X.2002.00439.x

Summary Interest in clinical fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) imaging with multiple‐head gamma cameras is growing. To improve sensitivity, triple‐head coincidence imaging has been proposed. We report our initial experiences with a triple‐head coincidence gamma camera with 19 mm sodium iodide crystal thickness. Several positron emission tomography‐image quality parameters were evaluated using a Carlson and line source phantom. The system sensitivity with two‐dimensional axial shields was 830 cps kBq−1 ml−1 and maximum noise equivalent count rate 1900 cps for an 18F‐activity of 50 MBq. The imaging resolution was in central axial 7·0 mm and in central transaxial 7·6 mm, respectively. The average scatter fraction in scattered media was 29%. Clinical brain, heart and whole body images studies with [18F]FDG were acquired and they show good correlation with the phantom image quality. As a conclusion, triple‐head coincidence gamma camera provides relatively high‐count rate imaging with good contrast and resolution.