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Optimization of the filter parameters in 99mTc myocardial perfusion SPECT studies: the formulation of flowchart

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Abstract

Myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is typically subject to a variation in image quality due to the use of different acquisition protocols, image reconstruction parameters and image display settings by each institution. One of the principal image reconstruction parameters is the Butterworth filter cut-off frequency, a parameter strongly affecting the quality of myocardial images. The objective of this study was to formulate a flowchart for the determination of the optimal parameters of the Butterworth filter for filtered back projection (FBP), ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) and collimator-detector response compensation OSEM (CDR-OSEM) methods using the evaluation system of the myocardial image based on technical grounds phantom. SPECT studies were acquired for seven simulated defects where the average counts of the normal myocardial components of 45° left anterior oblique projections were approximately 10–120 counts/pixel. These SPECT images were then reconstructed by FBP, OSEM and CDR-OSEM methods. Visual and quantitative assessment of short axis images were performed for the defect and normal parts. Finally, we formulated a flowchart indicating the optimal image processing procedure for SPECT images. Correlation between normal myocardial counts and the optimal cut-off frequency could be represented as a regression expression, which had high or medium coefficient of determination. We formulated the flowchart in order to optimize the image reconstruction parameters based on a comprehensive assessment, which enabled us to perform objectively processing. Furthermore, the usefulness of image reconstruction using the flowchart was demonstrated by a clinical case.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Quantum Medical Technology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-0942, Japan

    Takayuki Shibutani & Masahisa Onoguchi

  2. Department of Biotracer Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan

    Takayuki Shibutani & Seigo Kinuya

  3. Department of Radiological Technology, Kishiwada City Hospital, 1001 Gakuhara-cho, Kishiwada, Osaka, Japan

    Tomoki Yamada & Tadashi Nakajima

  4. Department of Radiological Technology, Higashiosaka City General Hospital, 3-4-5 Nishiiwata, Higashiosaka, Osaka, Japan

    Hiroki Kamida

  5. Department of Radiological Technology, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, 1-3-3 Nakamichi, Higashinariku, Osaka, Japan

    Kohei Kunishita

  6. Department of Radiological Technology, Sakai City Medical Center, 1-1-1 Ebaraji, Nishiku, Sakai, Osaka, Japan

    Yuuki Hayashi

Authors
  1. Takayuki Shibutani
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  2. Masahisa Onoguchi
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  3. Tomoki Yamada
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  4. Hiroki Kamida
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  5. Kohei Kunishita
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  6. Yuuki Hayashi
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  7. Tadashi Nakajima
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  8. Seigo Kinuya
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Correspondence to Masahisa Onoguchi.

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Shibutani, T., Onoguchi, M., Yamada, T. et al. Optimization of the filter parameters in 99mTc myocardial perfusion SPECT studies: the formulation of flowchart. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 39, 571–581 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-016-0433-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-016-0433-2

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