MIRD Pamphlet No. 33: MIRDpvc-A Software Tool for Recovery Coefficient-Based Partial-Volume Correction.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear medicine
• Medical imaging
• Quantitative analysis

Background:

• Partial-volume effects (PVEs) in PET and SPECT imaging lead to underestimating activity concentration, impacting diagnosis and treatment.
• Current recovery coefficient (RC)-based partial-volume correction (PVC) methods lack standardization, hindering consistent clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate MIRDpvc, a software tool for standardized, resolution-based RC PVC.
• To introduce the RECOVER-GM model for shape-specific PVE correction in quantitative nuclear medicine.

Main Methods:

• Developed MIRDpvc software incorporating a resolution-based RC PVC approach.
• Implemented the RECOVER-GM model for shape-specific and conventional RC curve corrections.
• Validated the MIRDpvc software and RECOVER-GM methodology using simulated studies.

Main Results:

• The RECOVER-GM model in MIRDpvc effectively corrects for spill-out and spill-in PVEs.
• MIRDpvc provides shape-specific corrections, improving quantitative accuracy over spherical assumption methods.
• The software demonstrates practical advantages, including computational efficiency and clinical applicability.

Conclusions:

• MIRDpvc and the RECOVER-GM method offer a validated, standardized approach to PVC in PET and SPECT imaging.
• The software facilitates improved quantitative accuracy and clinical implementation of PVC.
• This tool addresses the need for consistent and effective partial-volume correction in nuclear medicine.