9:-9:15. 3D Data Acquisition for Whole Body Images on the ECAT HR+

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Medical Imaging
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a crucial imaging modality in clinical practice.
• Optimizing imaging protocols for whole-body Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET is essential for diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort.
• Advancements in data correction and reconstruction algorithms are continuously improving PET imaging performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of 3D whole-body FDG PET imaging.
• To assess the impact of recent improvements in data correction and reconstruction methods on 3D PET imaging.
• To compare 3D PET imaging with conventional 2D imaging in terms of efficiency and image quality.

Main Methods:

• Phantom studies were conducted following NEMA NU 2-2000 draft guidelines to assess count loss and correction algorithm accuracy.
• Patient studies compared a standard 2D FDG PET protocol with a subsequent 3D acquisition using approximately 50% lower injected activity.
• Image quality was evaluated based on anatomic definition and the presence of artifacts.

Main Results:

• 3D imaging demonstrated an approximate two-fold increase in effective Noise Equivalent Counts (NEC) compared to 2D imaging within a dose range of 10-15 mCi.
• Phantom studies showed slightly improved target-to-background ratios for both hot and cold lesions with 3D imaging.
• Initial patient comparisons revealed no systematic differences in image quality between 2D and 3D whole-body FDG PET scans.

Conclusions:

• 3D whole-body FDG PET imaging, enhanced by improved reconstruction techniques, offers significant potential for increased efficiency.
• A two-fold reduction in either emission acquisition time or injected FDG dose is feasible with 3D imaging without sacrificing image quality.
• These advancements pave the way for more efficient and potentially lower-dose whole-body PET examinations.