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Implementation of GPU accelerated SPECT reconstruction with Monte Carlo-based scatter correction

Annals of Nuclear Medicine volume 32, pages 337–347 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

Statistical SPECT reconstruction can be very time-consuming especially when compensations for collimator and detector response, attenuation, and scatter are included in the reconstruction. This work proposes an accelerated SPECT reconstruction algorithm based on graphics processing unit (GPU) processing.

Methods

Ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm with CT-based attenuation modelling, depth-dependent Gaussian convolution-based collimator-detector response modelling, and Monte Carlo-based scatter compensation was implemented using OpenCL. The OpenCL implementation was compared against the existing multi-threaded OSEM implementation running on a central processing unit (CPU) in terms of scatter-to-primary ratios, standardized uptake values (SUVs), and processing speed using mathematical phantoms and clinical multi-bed bone SPECT/CT studies.

Results

The difference in scatter-to-primary ratios, visual appearance, and SUVs between GPU and CPU implementations was minor. On the other hand, at its best, the GPU implementation was noticed to be 24 times faster than the multi-threaded CPU version on a normal 128 × 128 matrix size 3 bed bone SPECT/CT data set when compensations for collimator and detector response, attenuation, and scatter were included.

Conclusions

GPU SPECT reconstructions show great promise as an every day clinical reconstruction tool.

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Acknowledgements

Tobias Bexelius works for HERMES Medical Solutions and Antti Sohlberg has a consulting agreement with HERMES Medical Solutions.

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Affiliations

  1. HERMES Medical Solutions, Skeppsbron 44, 111 30, Stockholm, Sweden

    Tobias Bexelius

  2. Laboratory of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Joint Authority for Päijät-Häme Social and Health Care, Keskussairaalankatu 7, 15850, Lahti, Finland

    Antti Sohlberg

Authors
  1. Tobias Bexelius
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  2. Antti Sohlberg
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antti Sohlberg.

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Bexelius, T., Sohlberg, A. Implementation of GPU accelerated SPECT reconstruction with Monte Carlo-based scatter correction. Ann Nucl Med 32, 337–347 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-018-1252-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-018-1252-1

Keywords

  • SPECT reconstruction
  • Scatter correction
  • Monte Carlo
  • Graphics processing unit (GPU)