Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
Retrospective Cardiac Gating with A Prototype Small-Animal X-ray Computed Tomograph
Published on: February 21, 2025
An investigation into truncation artefacts experienced in cardiac imaging using a dedicated cardiac SPECT gamma
Stacey E McGowan1, Claire D Greaves, Stephen Evans
1Department of Medical Physics, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust, Northampton, UK. sem89@cam.ac.uk
Background:
In SPECT images truncation artefacts may occur when the object does not remain in the field of view (FOV). This truncation may lead to distortions in the transmission map (μ map), which would affect the attenuation correction (AC) and possibly the final image. Our aim was to investigate this distortion on our dedicated small FOV cardiac camera and evaluate the efficacy of the truncation correction.
Methods:
Using a phantom, transmission data were acquired with our cardiac camera using arrays of (153)Gd sources. The width of the phantom was varied by adding attenuating material. AC and non-AC images were analysed.
Results:
The results showed that distorted µ maps were produced, which remained distorted even after the application of correction algorithms for chest width measurements greater than 43 ± 1 cm. This distortion was observed to worsen with increasing chest width measurements. Artefacts were not seen for chest width measurements smaller than 43 cm, even when significant anterior attenuation was modelled.
Conclusion:
Our findings demonstrate that AC-corrected images acquired with our dedicated small FOV cardiac camera are not suitable for patients with chest width measurements greater than 43 cm.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...