Comparison between new-generation SiPM-based and conventional PMT-based TOF-PET/CT.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiological Physics

Background:

• Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) is crucial for medical diagnostics.
• Advancements in detector technology, such as Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) systems, aim to improve image quality and performance over older Photomultiplier Tube (PMT) systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the physical performance of the SiPM-PET/CT Discovery MI (DMI) against the PMT-PET/CT Discovery 710 (D710).
• To evaluate image quality metrics including contrast, uniformity, and noise for both PET/CT systems.

Main Methods:

• Physical performance was assessed using NEMA NU 2 standards.
• Phantom tests evaluated contrast, uniformity, and image noise according to Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine (JSNM) criteria.
• Brain and whole-body [18F]FDG PET/CT scans were acquired from a healthy subject for both systems.

Main Results:

• The DMI demonstrated superior spatial resolution (3.91mm vs 4.52mm) and higher sensitivity (12.62 vs 7.50 cps/kBq) than the D710.
• DMI achieved higher peak noise-equivalent count rates and better scatter fractions.
• While D710 showed better contrast recovery, DMI met JSNM criteria with superior contrast (61.0%), uniformity (0.0225), and lower noise (7.85%), especially in brain imaging.

Conclusions:

• The Discovery MI (DMI) SiPM-PET/CT system outperforms the Discovery 710 (D710) PMT-PET/CT system in sensitivity, high count rate performance, and overall image quality.
• The DMI system represents a significant advancement in PET/CT technology, offering enhanced diagnostic capabilities.