An effective time reduction strategy in whole-body SPECT/CT studies using novel acquire during step mode without...

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Medical Imaging
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Whole-body SPECT/CT imaging is crucial for diagnosing metastatic disease and enabling dosimetry.
• Impractically long acquisition times limit the routine clinical use of whole-body SPECT/CT.
• Acquire During Step (ADS) technology offers a potential solution to reduce scan durations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of ADS technology in reducing whole-body SPECT/CT acquisition times.
• To determine if reduced acquisition times compromise the diagnostic quality and quantitative accuracy of SPECT/CT scans.
• To assess the impact of ADS on quantitative accuracy using phantom studies with 99mTc and 177Lu.

Main Methods:

• Phantom studies were conducted using 99mTc and 177Lu isotopes.
• SPECT acquisition modes, including step-and-shoot (SSM) and ADS, were compared at full, half, and quarter times.
• Quantitative accuracy was assessed by calculating recovery coefficients and SUVs using the xSPECT quantification tool.

Main Results:

• ADS mode reduced SPECT scan time by 15% compared to SSM, with faster acquisition per bed.
• No statistically significant differences in recovery coefficients were observed between SSM and ADS modes across different acquisition times.
• Background SUV measurements showed no significant changes between SSM and ADS modes for both isotopes.

Conclusions:

• ADS technology can decrease SPECT/CT scan time by 15% without compromising quantitative accuracy.
• Further time reductions are achievable with half-time or quarter-time ADS, enhancing routine practice efficiency.
• Faster WB SPECT acquisition improves patient comfort by reducing motion artifacts and enhances diagnostic accuracy and personalized dosimetry.