Reconstruction of the Radiation Source Spatial Distribution in a Proportional Scattering Medium

Technical Physics - A new method of image reconstruction for single-photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) in a proportional scattering medium has been suggested. Detector counts have been...     

In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Neuropsychiatric involvement in SLE (NP-SLE) may not be picked up by routine neuroimaging procedures like computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We prospectively studied the role of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in detection of NP-SLE in 20 patients with lupus (10 with clinical NP involvement and 10 without) and 9 healthy controls. MRI abnormalities were seen in 5/10 patients with NP-SLE while the MRI was normal in all the lupus patients without clinical NP involvement. Perfusion defects on SPECT were seen in as many as 8/10 patients with NP-SLE while only 1/10 lupus patients without clinical NP involvement and none of the healthy controls demonstrated perfusion defects. MRS revealed abnormal metabolite ratios in all patients with NP-SLE and as many as 8 lupus patients without clinical NP features. Normal metabolite ratios were observed in healthy controls. SPECT and MRS can help detect changes not evident on MRI and may serve as useful supplements to existing neuroimaging techniques in the diagnosis of NP-SLE. The precise significance of alterations in regional cerebral blood flow on SPECT and neurometabolite ratios on MRS needs larger, longitudinal studies.     

Correlation of regional cerebral blood flow from perfusion MRI and spect in normal subjects

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) as measured with perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) and single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT). rCBF was determined in 26 healthy subjects with pMRI and SPECT. After co-registration of pMRI with SPECT, rCBF was determined in 10 brain regions relative to the whole slice value. pMRI was evaluated with and without elimination of large vessels. rCBF from pMRI correlates significantly with rCBF from SPECT (r = 0.69 with and r = 0.59 without elimination of large vessels; p < 0.0001 for both). Elimination of large vessels reduced the interindividual variance of the pMRI measurements in most regions. rCBF from pMRI shows good correlation with rCBF from SPECT. Because pMRI is sensitive to flow in large vessels while SPECT is not, elimination of large vessels in pMRI reduces the interindividual variability of pMRI and improves the-correlation between the two methods. pMRI is a reliable noninvasive method for rCBF measurements.     

基于Boltzmann输运方程的SPECT系统解析建模方法

在单光子发射断层成像(SPECT)中, 为了校正劣化因素的影响, 提高图像质量, 需要对SPECT成像的物理过程进行准确建模. 本文提出了基于Boltzmann输运方程及其Neumann级数解理论的SPECT系统解析建模方法, 并采用数论高维数值积分算法对解析建模公式进行数值求解. 分别对点源、均匀圆柱体模型和NCAT模型进行SPECT投影过程计算, 将其结果与传统的Monte Carlo建模方法进行比较. 结果表明解析建模方法的计算速度和精度综合性能优于Monte Carlo建模方法, 且具有不受统计噪声影响的优点, 因而更适于进行SPECT成像过程的建模.     

蒙特卡罗技术在放射诊断剂量快速计算中的应用

采用蒙特卡罗（MC）技术研究放射性核素131I的放疗特性。给出了131I衰变过程的MC抽样表达式，实现了含电子和光子的混合抽样模拟。对水客体中131I衰变的MC模拟结果表明:131I能够有效地治疗甲状腺肿瘤而几乎不影响正常组织。变密度客体的MC模拟结果表明:沉积能量与面密度之间的关系与密度无关，满足卷积核自适应的要求；并且MC模拟能够提供剂量卷积核函数，为快速剂量计算提供数据。     

Correction of Nonuniform Response in the Reconstruction for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography with a Spatially Varying Focal Length Collimator

SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) images can visualize physiological functions directly and are diagnostically useful. The reconstruction methods based on the Continuous-Discrete (C-D) mapping model have an immediate effect on SPECT imaging because they employ photon detection kernels describing the photon transport from the body to the detector. However, in a spatially varying focal length geometry, the concentration of the sensitivity around the center of rotation of the detector causes a change in the response from the original image to the reconstructed image. As a result, a false hot spot often appears around the center of rotation. This paper presents a convenient method to repress the change by correcting the resolving kernels. Numerical simulations show that the method can reduce the false hot spots.     

针孔单光子发射计算机断层成像的空间分辨率研究

针孔单光子发射计算机断层(SPECT)成像的空间分辨率通常是根据Anger经验公式来进行估算,与实际测量存在较大偏差.本文通过对针孔成像的物理过程进行分析,提出了一个近似度更高的计算公式.利用精确的蒙特卡罗方法模拟针孔SPECT成像,采用OSEM(ordered subsets expectation maximization)算法对投影数据进行图像重建,并与模具实验进行比较,验证了理论公式的适用性.同时还讨论了体素尺寸、几何映射获取投影矩阵以及探测器尺寸与成像物体尺寸比值对断层图像空间分辨率的影响.实验结果显示,该理论公式所估算的空间分辨率比实验值平均偏小约10%,而Anger经验公式所估算的空间分辨率比实验值平均偏大约60%.因此,该理论公式能更好地估算针孔SPECT成像的空间分辨率,可为针孔SPECT系统的设计和使用提供有价值的参考.     

Correction for Shift-variant Characteristics of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Acquisition System Using Sensitivity Functions

The single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system has shift-variant characteristics due to non-uniform attenuation of gamma-ray, collimator design, scattered photons, etc. In order to provide quantitatively accurate SPECT images, these characteristics should be compensated in the reconstruction. This paper presents a new method to correct the shift-variant characteristics, which is based on a continuous-discrete mapping model and filtered backprojection (FBP) method, in which the projection data are assumed to be acquired by narrow ray sum beams in the FBP method and the assumed data set is expressed as a linear combination of the actual projection data. Narrow ray sum beams are approximated by a weighted sum of the original sensitivity functions. Thus, at the reconstruction the projection data are first modified using an approximation and the FBP method is then applied to the corrected projection data and a SPECT image is reconstructed. We further propose a technique that requires the inversion of smaller matrices than the conventional algebraic method; the amount of calculation and memory space become smaller and the stability of the calculation is greatly improved as well. The results of the numerical simulations are also demonstrated.     

A study on quantitative analysis of exposure dose caused by patient depending on time and distance in nuclear medicine examination

This study evaluated possible actions that can help protect against and reduce radiation exposure by measuring the exposure dose for each type of isotope that is used frequently in nuclear medicine before performing numerical analysis of the effective half-life based on the measurement results. From July to August in 2010, the study targeted 10, 6 and 5 people who underwent an ¹⁸F-FDG (fludeoxyglucose) positron emission tomography (PET) scan, ^99mTc-HDP bone scan, and ²⁰¹Tl myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan, respectively, in the nuclear medicine department. After injecting the required medicine into the subjects, a survey meter was used to measure the dose depending on the distance from the heart and time elapsed. For the ¹⁸F-FDG PET scan, the dose decreased by approximately 66% at 90 min compared to that immediately after the injection and by 78% at a distance of 1 m compared to that at 0.3 m. In the ^99mTc-HDP bone scan, the dose decreased by approximately 71% in 200 min compared to that immediately after the injection and by approximately 78% at a distance of 1 m compared to that at 0.3 m. In the ²⁰¹Tl myocardial SPECT scan, the dose decreased by approximately 30% in 250 min compared to that immediately after the injection and by approximately 55% at a distance of 1 m compared to that at 0.3 m. In conclusion, the dose decreases by a large margin depending on the distance and time. In conclusion, this study measured the exposure doses by isotopes, distance from the heart and exposure time, and found that the doses were reduced significantly according the distance and the time.     

Comparison of diffusion tensor,dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI and Tc-Tetrofosmin brain SPECT for the detection of recurrent high-grade glioma

Introduction

Treatment induced necrosis is a relatively frequent finding in patients treated for high-grade glioma. Differentiation by imaging modalities between glioma recurrence and treatment induced necrosis is not always straightforward. This is a comparative study of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI and ^99mTc-Tetrofosmin brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for differentiation of recurrent glioma from treatment induced necrosis.

Methods

A prospective study was made of 30 patients treated for high-grade glioma who had suspected recurrent tumor on follow-up MRI. All had been treated by surgical resection of the tumor followed by standard postoperative radiotherapy with chemotherapy. No residual tumor had been found on brain imaging immediately after the initial treatment. All the patients were studied with dynamic susceptibility contrast brain MRI and, within a week, ^99mTc-Tetrofosmin brain SPECT.

Results

Both ^99mTc-Tetrofosmin brain SPECT and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI could discriminate between tumor recurrence and treatment induced necrosis with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity. An apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) ratio cut-off value of 1.27 could differentiate recurrence from treatment induced necrosis with 65% sensitivity and 100% specificity and a fractional anisotropy (FA) ratio cut-off value of 0.47 could differentiate recurrence from treatment induced necrosis with 57% sensitivity and 100% specificity. A significant correlation was demonstrated between ^99mTc-Tetrofosmin uptake ratio and rCBV (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI and brain SPECT with ^99mTc-Tetrofosmin had the same accuracy and may be used to detect recurrent tumor following treatment for glioma. DTI also showed promise for the detection of recurrent tumor, but was inferior to both dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI and brain SPECT.     

A computed tomography reconstruction algorithm based on multipurpose optimal criterion and simulated annealing theory

Although emission spectral tomography (EST) combines emission spectral measurement with optical computed tomography (OCT), it is difficult to gain transient emission data from a large number of views,therefore, high precision OCT algorithms with few views ought to be studied for EST application. To improve the reconstruction precision in the case of few views, a new computed tomography reconstruction algorithm based on multipurpose optimal criterion and simulated annealing theory (multi-criterion simulated annealing reconstruction technique, MCSART) is proposed. This algorithm can suffice criterion of least squares, criterion of most uniformity, and criterion of most smoothness synchronously. We can get global optimal solution by MCSART algorithm with simulated annealing theory. The simulating experiment result shows that this algorithm is superior to the traditional algorithms under various noises.     

Comparison between qualitative and quantitative wall motion analyses using dipyridamole stress breath-hold cine magnetic resonance imaging in patients with severe coronary artery stenosis

Breath-hold cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at rest and during dipyridamole infusion was used to study wall motion abnormalities in patients with severe coronary artery stenosis proven by coronary angiography. Sixteen patients without myocardial infarction but at least one major coronary artery with ≥70% diameter narrowing were included. Qualitative “visual” assessment of wall motion, as well as quantitative measurement “wall thickening changes (%)” were compared using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. ²⁰¹Tl-single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was also studied for comparison. Using qualitative analysis, coronary artery disease detection rate was comparable when assessing wall motion abnormalities with dipyridamole-MRI (79%) and with dipyridamole-induced perfusion defects with 201-thallium-SPECT (75%). Furthermore, sensitivity and specificity for identification of all diseased coronary territories were comparable for both imaging modalities (sensitivity of dipyridamole-MRI and ²⁰¹thallium-SPECT, 80% vs. 69%; specificity, 75% vs. 80%). The quantitative method has a substantially higher sensitivity than the qualitative method in identifying all diseased territories (Az = 0.81, p < 0.01 vs. Az = 0.55 and 0.59). In addition, we demonstrated that the quantitative method had higher performance than the qualitative one in identifying the diseased vessels territories related to 1-vessel, 2-vessel, and each of individual coronary artery stenoses.     

Light propagation for time-domain fluorescence diffuse optical tomography by convolution using lifetime function

Time-domain light propagation in biological tissue is studied by solving the forward problem for fluorescence diffuse optical tomography using a convolution of the zero-lifetime emission light and the exponential function for a finite lifetime. We firstly formulate the fundamental equations in a time-domain assuming that the fluorescence lifetime is equal to zero, and then the solution including the lifetime is obtained by convolving the emission light and the lifetime function. The model is a two-dimensional (2-D) 10 mm-radius circle with the optical properties simulating biological tissue for the near infrared light, and contains some inclusions with fluorophores. Temporal and spatial profiles of excitation and emission light are calculated and discussed for several models with different inclusions. The results are physically reasonable and will be used for the inverse problem of fluorescence diffuse optical tomography.     

多目标优化发射层析算法在等离子体场光谱诊断中的应用

提出一种基于多目标优化原理的发射光谱层析(EST)图像重建新算法MCIRT.通过计算机数值 模拟，考察了该算法对非对称发射系数场分布的重建效果.结果表明，与传统层析算法相比 ，MCIRT算法具有收敛快，重建精度高的优势，适合于非完全数据情况下的等离子体发射系 数场重建，并且实时性更好.作为一个应用实例, 运用谱线相对强度法重建了自由电弧等离 子体的三维温度及粒子数密度分布. 关键词： 等离子体诊断 图像重建     

Three-dimensional emission tomography of optically thick plasma for the known absorption

The three-dimensional emission tomography of a plasma partially absorbing intrinsic emission is studied. The distribution of local absorption coefficients is assumed to be known. To determine the distribution of local emission coefficients under the given conditions, the use of algebraic algorithms inverting the projection matrix constructed taking into account absorption is proposed. NDAT and NDFBP algorithms are developed, which are based on the expansion of the product of the operator of energy transport in an absorbing medium and the operator of the solution of the problem of emission tomography of a transparent plasma in a Neumann series. A numerical simulation is made, which shows that the emission field can be reconstructed with a reasonable accuracy for an optical thickness as high as 6–8.     

X射线成像技术在医学中应用

文章介绍了在医学中广泛应用的二维X射线摄影屏一胶片系统及三维计算机断层扫描成像技术。并对二维X射线摄影技术的发展，例如数字减影血管造影（DSA），计算机放射成像（CR）和直接数字化X射线摄影（DR）以及三维成像新技术，如螺旋计算机断层扫描技术（螺旋CT），正电子发射体层／多层螺旋CT图像融合扫描装置（简称PET-CT）和相位衬度成像技术的原理和应用作了简单描述。医学图像后处理是现代医学图像设备不可或缺的组成部分，先验医学知识的融入使现代图像设备具有辅助诊断的能力。     

Radioactive ion beams for biomedical research and nuclear medical application

In this article a review is given on the research strategies, on experimental work and application of ISOLDE produced radionuclides used in the field of biomedicine over a period of more than 2 decades. Special attention will be directed to the radio-lanthanides for several reasons: firstly, the radio-lanthanides are three-valent metallic radionuclides which show any radiation properties we wish (single photon emission suitable for SPECT, positron emission suitable for PET, β⁻- and Auger electron emission suitable for therapy). Even the alpha decay mode (suitable for therapy in selected cases) is available in the lanthanide group. Secondly, the 15 lanthanides can be seen chemically as one single element for labelling of tracer molecules, providing the unique possibility to study systematically relationships between physico-chemical molecule parameter and a biological response without changes in the basic tracer molecule. Very recent developments in bioconjugation chemistry call for three-valent metallic radionuclides for all kinds of nuclear medical application: diagnosis, in vivo dosimetry and radionuclide therapy where the rare-earth elements will play an important role in future. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

皮肤微循环无损伤光学成像技术的新进展

微循环信息的获取对于各类疾病的诊断和治疗有着及其重要的作用。皮肤微循环无损伤成像技术取得了很大的进展,出现了各种非光学方法(核磁共振成像、正电子发射断层成像术、超声波成像等)和光学方法(共焦显微镜、光学相干断层摄影术、新型的正交偏振光谱成像技术等)。主要介绍了皮肤微循环无损伤光学成像技术的新进展。     

Evaluation of imaging protocol for ECT based on CS image reconstruction algorithm

Single-photon emission computerized tomography and positron emission tomography are essential medical imaging tools, for which the sampling angle number and scan time should be carefully chosen to give a good compromise between image quality and radiopharmaceutical dose. In this study, the image quality of different acquisition protocols was evaluated via varied angle number and count number per angle with Monte Carlo simulation data. It was shown that, when similar imaging counts were used, the factor of acquisition counts was more important than that of the sampling number in emission computerized tomography. To further reduce the activity requirement and the scan duration, an iterative image reconstruction algorithm for limited-view and low-dose tomography based on compressed sensing theory has been developed. The total variation regulation was added to the reconstruction process to improve the signal to noise Ratio and reduce artifacts caused by the limited angle sampling. Maximization of the maximum likelihood of the estimated image and the measured data and minimization of the total variation of the image are alternatively implemented. By using this advanced algorithm, the reconstruction process is able to achieve image quality matching or exceed that of normal scans with only half of the injection radiopharmaceutical dose.     

Clinical applications: MRI, SPECT, and PET

MRI, PET, and SPECT are all used to image abnormalities in the epileptic brain. Comparison of the techniques is difficult because they measure different aspects of the epileptic process—structure, metabolism, and perfusion. SPECT is the only one that can be systematically applied during seizures, while all three are used to image interictal abnormalities. Literature review suggests that of interictal techniques, PET has the highest diagnostic sensitivity in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) (84% vs. 66% for SPECT, 55% for qualitative MRI, 71% for quantitative MRI) while SPECT has the highest sensitivity in extratemporal epilepsy (ETE) (60% vs. 43% for MRI and 33% for PET). The highest diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were achieved by ictal imaging with SPECT (90% in TLE, 81% in ETE). The techniques, however, were not always redundant. One reason for the wide discrepancy of results in TLE and ETE might be the differing pathologic substrates. A literature review of imaging findings associated with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), developmental lesion or tumor as the underlying abnormality associated with epilepsy supports this explantion. PET and MRI are much more sensitive to MTS than SPECT (100%, 95% vs. 70%). On the other hand, in developmental lesions the three techniques are equally sensitive (88–92%) and in tumors, MRI was most sensitive (96%) and SPECT least (82%). A study at NIH explains the differing sensitivities: using PET to measure both blood flow and metabolism revealed discrepant findings in the same patients. Preliminary evidence also indicates that the distribution of hyperperfusion on ictal SPECT can differentiate subtypes of TLE. Combining the results of refined imaging techniques holds great promise in epilepsy localization and diagnosis.