SPECT Instrumentation

Abstract

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) is a non-invasive method of visualizing cardiac perfusion and function. In SPECT, a radioactive isotope is attached to a pharmaceutical and intravenously injected into the patient. The most common isotope used for SPECT imaging is ^99mTc. A camera (Fig. 12.1) captures the radiation emitted by the decaying isotope and generates two-dimensional (planar) or three-dimensional images of the distribution of the radiation source. The distribution of radioactivity is governed by the behaviour of the pharmaceutical to which the isotope is attached. Different pharmaceuticals make it possible to use nuclear medicine to image blood flow to the heart, ejection fraction, myocardial wall motion and other aspects of cardiac function. This chapter on SPECT Instrumentation will describe the typical camera systems available and its components, the standard acquisition protocols, reconstruction methods, processing and quality testing procedures