PET reconstruction artifact can be minimized by using sinogram correction and filtered back-projection technique

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiological Physics

Background:

• New-generation positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scanners primarily utilize iterative reconstruction techniques.
• Filtered Back-Projection (FBP) is an older, less common image reconstruction method.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate image reconstruction techniques for a compromised PET scanner with a bypassed module.
• To determine the optimal method for minimizing streak artifacts in such a scenario.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of Filtered Back-Projection (FBP) with iterative reconstruction.
• Acquisition using a PET scanner with one module bypassed.
• Application of sinogram correction with FBP.

Main Results:

• FBP with sinogram correction proved superior in minimizing streak artifacts compared to iterative techniques.
• Iterative reconstruction resulted in more pronounced streak artifacts on the compromised PET data.

Conclusions:

• In specific situations with compromised PET scanners (e.g., bypassed module), FBP with sinogram correction can be a more effective reconstruction technique.
• This finding is relevant for maintaining diagnostic image quality under non-ideal scanner conditions.