16-Detector multislice CT-skeletal scintigraphy image co-registration

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Nuclear Medicine

Background:

• Co-registration of bone scintigraphy with radiographs is established for wrist injury diagnosis.
• Co-registration of tomographic bone scintigraphy (SPECT) with computed tomography (CT) is less common.
• Occult wrist fractures, particularly scaphoid fractures, pose diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel co-registration technique for SPECT and CT in patients with suspected wrist fractures.
• To evaluate the feasibility of fusing functional SPECT data with high-resolution anatomical CT data.
• To potentially improve the detection and localization of occult wrist fractures.

Main Methods:

• A co-registration technique using a Perspex board with four point source markers was developed.
• Wrist imaging involved SPECT (Tc-99m MDP) and multi-detector CT.
• Image fusion was achieved using commercially available software and a rigid body point match algorithm.
• The technique was validated using a phantom study before clinical application in three patients.

Main Results:

• The marker positions were successfully identified in both phantom and clinical studies.
• The co-registration technique allowed for the fusion of SPECT and CT images.
• Patient repositioning showed varying degrees of success, indicating areas for refinement.

Conclusions:

• The described technique facilitates the fusion of SPECT and CT imaging for enhanced wrist fracture detection.
• This approach may aid in the localization and detection of occult fractures.
• The technique shows potential in differentiating scaphoid fractures from other carpal pathologies.