Detection and correction of patient motion in dynamic 15O-water PET MPI
Nana L Christensen1,2, Jonny Nordström3,4, Simon Madsen5,6
1Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Nordre Ringgade 1, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. nc@clin.au.dk.
Background:
Patient motion constitutes a limitation to 15O-water cardiac PET imaging. We examined the ability of image readers to detect and correct patient motion using simulated motion data and clinical patient scans.
Methods:
Simulated data consisting of 16 motions applied to 10 motion-free scans were motion corrected using two approaches, pre-analysis and post-analysis for motion identification. Both approaches employed a manual frame-by-frame correction method. In addition, a clinical cohort was analyzed for assessment of prevalence and effect of motion and motion correction.
Results:
Motion correction was performed on 94% (pre-analysis) and 64% (post-analysis) of the scans. Large motion artifacts were corrected in 91% (pre-analysis) and 74% (post-analysis) of scans. Artifacts in MBF were reduced in 56% (pre-analysis) and 58% (post-analysis) of the scans. The prevalence of motion in the clinical patient cohort (n = 762) was 10%. Motion correction altered exam interpretation in only 10 (1.3%) clinical patient exams.
Conclusion:
Frame-by-frame motion correction after visual inspection is useful in reducing motion artifacts in cardiac 15O-water PET. Reviewing the initial results (parametric images and polar maps) as part of the motion correction process, reduced erroneous corrections in motion-free scans. In a large clinical cohort, the impact of motion correction was limited to few patients.
Insights
Manual frame-by-frame motion correction effectively reduces artifacts in cardiac oxygen-15-water PET imaging. While useful, its impact on clinical interpretation is minimal, with few patient exams requiring changes after correction.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Imaging Analysis
Background:
- Patient motion is a significant limitation in cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) using oxygen-15-water.
- Accurate assessment of myocardial blood flow (MBF) is crucial for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of manual frame-by-frame motion correction in reducing artifacts in cardiac 15O-water PET.
- To assess the prevalence and impact of patient motion and its correction in a large clinical cohort.
Main Methods:
- Simulated motion data (16 motions in 10 scans) were corrected using pre-analysis and post-analysis manual frame-by-frame methods.
- A clinical cohort of 762 patients undergoing cardiac 15O-water PET was analyzed for motion prevalence and correction effects.
Main Results:
- Motion correction was applied to 94% (pre-analysis) and 64% (post-analysis) of scans, correcting large artifacts in 91% and 74%, respectively.
- Myocardial blood flow (MBF) artifacts were reduced in 56% (pre-analysis) and 58% (post-analysis) of scans.
- Motion prevalence in the clinical cohort was 10%, with correction altering interpretation in only 1.3% of exams.
Conclusions:
- Manual frame-by-frame motion correction is beneficial for reducing artifacts in cardiac 15O-water PET.
- Reviewing initial results during correction minimizes errors on motion-free scans.
- The clinical impact of motion correction on patient management is limited.
