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Comparative analysis of iterative reconstruction algorithms with resolution recovery for cardiac SPECT studies. A multi-center phantom study

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology volume 21, pages 135–148 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

This investigation used image data generated by a physical phantom over a wide range of count statistics to evaluate the effectiveness of several of the newer commercially available SPECT reconstruction iterative algorithms (IRR) in improving perfusion defect contrast and spatial resolution, while controlling image noise.

Methods

A cardiac phantom was imaged using four different gamma cameras over a wide range of counts statistics (from 6 to 0.8 Mcounts). Images were reconstructed with FBP, OSEM, and the IRR available on site. IRR were applied without corrections (IRR NC), with attenuation correction (IRR AC), scatter correction (IRR SC), and attenuation + scatter corrections (IRR SCAC). Four image performance indices related to spatial resolution, contrast, and image noise were analyzed.

Results

IRR NC always determined significant improvements in all indices in comparison to FBP or OSEM. Improvements were emphasized with IRR SC and IRR SCAC. Count reduction from 6 to 1.5 Mcounts did not impair the performances of any of the considered indices.

Conclusions

This is the first study comparing the relative performance of different, commercially available, IRR software, over a wide range of count statistics; the additional effect of scatter and attenuation corrections, alone or in combination, was also evaluated. Our results confirm that IRR algorithms produce substantial benefits with respect to conventional FBP or OSEM reconstruction methods, as assessed through different figures of merit, in particular when SC and/or SCAC are also included.

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Disclosures

None.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Veruno, Veruno, NO, Italy

    Orazio Zoccarato PhD & Riccardo Campini MD

  2. Department of Cardiology, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Veruno, Veruno, NO, Italy

    Claudio Marcassa MD

  3. Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Camilla Scabbio MSc, Angelo Del Sole MD & Michela Lecchi PhD

  4. Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy

    Camilla Scabbio MSc, Angelo Del Sole MD & Michela Lecchi PhD

  5. Department of Medical Physics, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy

    Elena De Ponti PhD & Sabrina Morzenti PhD

  6. Department of Nuclear Medicine, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy

    Cinzia Crivellaro MD

  7. Department of Medical Physics, University Hospital ‘Maggiore della Carità’, Novara, Italy

    Roberta Matheoud PhD & Marco Brambilla PhD

  8. Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital ‘Maggiore della Carità’, Novara, Italy

    Lucia Leva MD

  9. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ospedale di Circolo, Varese, Italy

    Marco Menzaghi BSE & Silvana Garancini MD

  10. Medical Physics Department, University Hospital of Novara, Novara, Italy

    Marco Brambilla PhD

Authors
  1. Orazio Zoccarato PhD
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  2. Camilla Scabbio MSc
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  3. Elena De Ponti PhD
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  4. Roberta Matheoud PhD
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  5. Lucia Leva MD
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  6. Sabrina Morzenti PhD
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  7. Marco Menzaghi BSE
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  8. Riccardo Campini MD
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  9. Claudio Marcassa MD
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  10. Angelo Del Sole MD
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  11. Silvana Garancini MD
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  12. Cinzia Crivellaro MD
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  13. Marco Brambilla PhD
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  14. Michela Lecchi PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marco Brambilla PhD.

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Zoccarato, O., Scabbio, C., De Ponti, E. et al. Comparative analysis of iterative reconstruction algorithms with resolution recovery for cardiac SPECT studies. A multi-center phantom study. J. Nucl. Cardiol. 21, 135–148 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-013-9821-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-013-9821-0

Keywords

  • Iterative reconstruction
  • myocardial perfusion imaging
  • reconstruction algorithms
  • resolution recovery
  • SPECT