A Practical Quality Assurance Procedure for Data Acquisitions in Preclinical Simultaneous PET/MR Systems

Area of Science:

• Preclinical imaging
• Medical physics
• Pharmacology and biology

Background:

• Preclinical simultaneous PET/MR imaging systems are increasingly available.
• These systems are susceptible to artifacts and performance deviations, compromising image and quantitative data quality.
• Robust quality assurance (QA) is essential to prevent experimental failures and animal loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop simple, rapid quality control (QC) tests for preclinical PET/MR scanners.
• To ensure these tests are accessible to researchers with limited instrumentation expertise.
• To maintain high image quality and quantitative accuracy in animal studies.

Main Methods:

• Selection of simple, quick daily tests for preclinical PET/MR systems over five years.
• Inclusion of additional tests for less frequent, advanced system follow-up.
• Utilized moderately priced test materials, including commercially available and 3D-printed options.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive set of QC tests, categorized by frequency (daily to annual), has been established.
• The proposed tests are designed for ease of execution by experimental personnel.
• The methodology emphasizes cost-effectiveness and accessibility of test materials.

Conclusions:

• Implementing these straightforward daily QC tests is crucial for reliable preclinical PET/MR imaging.
• This approach mitigates risks associated with system artifacts and performance drift.
• The proposed QA strategy supports consistent, high-quality data acquisition in preclinical research.