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Journal ArticleDOI

Simulation of a quality control jaszczak phantom with simind monte carlo and adding the phantom as an accessory to the program

TL;DR: This phantom could be used with a range of radionuclide doses in simulation situations such as cold, hot, and background uptakes for the assessment of detection characteristics when a new similar clinical SPECT procedure is being simulated.
Abstract: Introduction Quality control is an important phenomenon in nuclear medicine imaging. A Jaszczak SPECT Phantom provides consistent performance information for any SPECT or PET system. This article describes the simulation of a Jaszczak phantom and creating an executable phantom file for comparing assessment of SPECT cameras using SIMIND Monte Carlo simulation program which is well-established for SPECT. Materials and Methods The simulation was based on a Deluxe model of Jaszczak Phantom with defined geometry. Quality control tests were provided together with initial imaging example and suggested use for the assessment of parameters such as spatial resolution, limits of lesion detection, and contrast comparing with a Siemens E.Cam SPECT system. Results The phantom simulation was verified by matching tomographic spatial resolution, image contrast, and also uniformity compared with the experiment SPECT of the phantom from filtered backprojection reconstructed images of the spheres and rods. The calculated contrasts of the rods were 0.774, 0.627, 0.575, 0.372, 0.191, and 0.132 for an experiment with the rods diameters of 31.8, 25.4, 19.1, 15.9, 12.7, and 9.5 mm, respectively. The calculated contrasts of simulated rods were 0.661, 0.527, 0.487, 0.400, 0.23, and 0.2 for cold rods and also 0.92, 0.91, 0.88, 0.81, 0.76, and 0.56 for hot rods. Reconstructed spatial tomographic resolution of both experiment and simulated SPECTs of the phantom obtained about 9.5 mm. An executable phantom file and an input phantom file were created for the SIMIND Monte Carlo program. Conclusion This phantom may be used for simulated SPECT systems and would be ideal for verification of the simulated systems with real ones by comparing the results of quality control and image evaluation. It is also envisaged that this phantom could be used with a range of radionuclide doses in simulation situations such as cold, hot, and background uptakes for the assessment of detection characteristics when a new similar clinical SPECT procedure is being simulated.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: High quality ( 90)Y bremsstrahlung SPECT images can provide reliable estimate of the (90)Y microsphere activity distribution after radioembolization and the obtained optimal ME collimator and optimal energy window have the potential to improve the image contrast.

21 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study validated a model of the Siemens Symbia T16 dual-head SPECT/CT gamma camera created using the Monte Carlo program SIMIND for 177Lu by comparing experimental and simulated gamma camera performance criteria tests for the 177Lu 208 keV photopeak with a medium-energy collimator.

9 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The simulating medical imaging nuclear detectors (SIMIND) Monte Carlo program was used to simulate a Siemens E.CAM SPECT system equipped with a low-energy high-resolution (LEHR) collimator and showed that the LEHR collimators with 98% lead and 2% antimony offers the best resolution and contrast when compared to other high atomic number metals and alloys.
Abstract: The collimator in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a critical component of the imaging system and plays an impressive role in the imaging quality. In this study, the effect of the collimator material on the radioisotopic image and its functional parameters was studied. The simulating medical imaging nuclear detectors (SIMIND) Monte Carlo program was used to simulate a Siemens E.CAM SPECT (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) system equipped with a low-energy high-resolution (LEHR) collimator. The simulation and experimental data from the SPECT imaging modality using (99m)Tc were obtained on a point source and Jaszczak phantom. Seventeen high atomic number materials were considered as LEHR collimator materials. In order to determine the effect of the collimator material on the image and functional parameters, the energy resolution, spatial resolution, contrast, and collimator characteristics parameters such as septal penetration and scatter-to-primary ratio were investigated. Energy spectra profiles, full width at half maximums (FWHMs) (mm) of the point spread function (PSF) curves, system sensitivity, and contrast of cold spheres of the Jaszczak phantom for the simulated and experiment systems have acceptability superimposed. The results of FWHM and energy resolution for the 17 collimators showed that the collimator made of 98% lead and 2% antimony could provide the best FWHM and energy resolution, 7.68 mm and 9.87%, respectively. The LEHR collimator with 98% lead and 2% antimony offers the best resolution and contrast when compared to other high atomic number metals and alloys.

6 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: The measured performances of the newly developed HiReSpECT dual head gamma camera with pixelated array CsI(Na) scanner indicated that the HiReSPECT scanner is well suited for preclinical molecular imaging research and provide high resolution for small animal imaging.
Abstract: Introduction: Image quality and accuracy of in vivo activity quantification in SPECT are affected by collimator penetration and scatter components, especially in high energy imaging. These phenomena highly depend on the collimator characteristic and photon energy. The presence of penetrated and scattered photons from collimator in SPECT images degrades spatial resolution, contrast and image quality. Knowledge of penetration and scatter distribution is essential for optimization of collimator design and development of reconstruction algorithms.The aim of this study to survey the collimator performance of the newly developed HiReSPECT dual head gamma camera with pixelated array CsI(Na). Methods:We modeled the HiReSPECT, by using SIMIND Monte Carlo simulation code. The contribution of geometric, scatter and penetration components were quantitatively calculated for the different energy sources. Then we compared these results with simulation results of another small animal SPECT with compact pixelated array CsI(Tl) detector. Results:The simulated System spatial resolution and energy resolution of the HiReSPECT at 140keV respectively are 1.9mm and 29.72 keV (21.23%) FWHM at 2.5cm distance from detector surface also Geometric, penetration, and scatter at 140keV for the HiReSPECT collimator are 96.42%, 2.22%, 1.30%, respectively. Similarly, geometric, penetration, and scatter at 159keV and 245keV for this system collimator are (95.24%, 3.08%, 1.68%) and (87.21%, 8.10%, 4.69%), respectively. Conclusion: The results verified that the magnitude of these components depend on collimator geometric structure and photons energy. The measured performances indicated that the HiReSPECT scanner is well suited for preclinical molecular imaging research and provide high resolution for small animal imaging.

4 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Medical diagnosis of the SPECT images of the phantom showed that the system with BGO crystal potentially provides a better detectability for hot and cold lesions in the liver of XCAT phantom.
Abstract: BACKGROUND : Acquiring a high quality image has assigned an important concern for obtaining accurate diagnosis in nuclear medicine. Detector is a critical component of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging system for giving accurate information from exact pattern of radionuclide distribution in the target organ. The images are strongly affected by the attenuation, scattering, and response of the detector. The conventional detector is mainly made from sodium iodide activated by thallium [NaI(Tl)] in nuclear medicine imaging. The aim of the study. This study has planned to introduce a suitable for an optimized SPECT imaging. SIMIND Monte Carlo program was utilized for simulating a SPECT imaging system with a NaI(Tl) detector, and a low-energy high-resolution (LEHR) collimator. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Planar and SPECT scans of a 99mTc point source and also an extended Cardiac-Torso (XCAT) computerized phantom with the experiment and simulated systems were prepared. After verification and validation of the simulated system, the similar scans of the phantoms were compared from the point of view of image quality for 7 scintillator crystals including: NaI(Tl), BGO, YAG:Ce, YAP:Ce, LuAG:Ce, LaBr3 and CZT. The parameters of energy and spatial resolution, and sensitivity of the systems were compared. Images were analyzed quantitatively by SSIM algorithm with Zhou Wang and Rouse/Hemami methods, and also qualitatively by two nuclear medicine specialists. RESULTS: Energy resolutions of the mentioned crystals obtained were: 9.864, 9.8545, 10.229, 10.221, 10.230, 10.131and10.223 percentage for 99mTc photopeak 140 Kev, respectively. Finally, SSIM indexes for the related phantom images were calculated to 0.794, 0.738, 0.735, 0.607, 0.760 and 0.811 compared to the NaI(Tl) acquired images, respectively. Medical diagnosis of the SPECT images of the phantom showed that the system with BGO crystal potentially provides a better detectability for hot and cold lesions in the liver of XCAT phantom. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that BGO crystal has a high sensitivity and resolution, and also provides a better lesion detectability from the point of view of image quality on XCAT phantom.

4 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The usefulness of the Monte Carlo code for the accurately simulation of important parameters in scintillation camera systems, stationary as well as SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) systems, has been demonstrated.

480 citations


"Simulation of a quality control jas..." refers background or methods in this paper

  • ...This program was originally designed for the calibration of whole-body counters, but soon evolved to simulate scintillation cameras [1, 12]....

    [...]

  • ...The design of SPECT and PET systems using the Monte Carlo method has received considerable attention and a large number of applications were the result of such investigations [9, 10]....

    [...]

  • ...We would also suggest that the same phantom should be used for the simple assessment of Xray CT images and the assessment of image offset for SPECT/CT and PET/CT systems....

    [...]

  • ...A Jaszczak SPECT Phantom provides consistent performance information for any SPECT or PET system....

    [...]

  • ...Monte Carlo simulations are nowadays employed as an essential tool in nuclear medicine imaging, both in single-photon emission computed tomography ( SPECT) and in positron emission tomography (PET) [1-3]....

    [...]

Book
02 Dec 2004
TL;DR: The physics and engineering principles of PET and SPECT are explained, including historical origins, scientific and mathematical foundations, imaging systems and their components, image reconstruction and analysis, simulation techniques, and clinical and laboratory applications.
Abstract: PET and SPECT are two of todays most important medical-imaging methods, providing images that reveal subtle information about physiological processes in humans and animals. "Emission Tomography: The Fundamentals of PET and SPECT" explains the physics and engineering principles of these important functional-imaging methods. The technology of emission tomography is covered in detail, including historical origins, scientific and mathematical foundations, imaging systems and their components, image reconstruction and analysis, simulation techniques, and clinical and laboratory applications. The book describes the state of the art of emission tomography, including all facets of conventional SPECT and PET, as well as contemporary topics, such as iterative image reconstruction, small-animal imaging, and PET/CT systems. This book is intended as a textbook and reference resource for graduate students, researchers, medical physicists, biomedical engineers, and professional engineers and physicists in the medical-imaging industry. Thorough tutorials of fundamental and advanced topics are presented by dozens of the leading researchers in PET and SPECT. SPECT has long been a mainstay of clinical imaging, and PET is now one of the worlds fastest growing medical imaging techniques, owing to its dramatic contributions to cancer imaging and other applications. "Emission Tomography: The Fundamentals of PET and SPECT" is an essential resource for understanding the technology of SPECT and PET, the most widely used forms of molecular imaging. The features are: contains thorough tutorial treatments, coupled with coverage of advanced topics; three of the four holders of the prestigious Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Medical Imaging Scientist Award are chapter contributors; and includes color artwork.

473 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Habib Zaidi1
TL;DR: A derivation and methodological basis for Monte Carlo modeling techniques for nuclear medical imaging innovations and examples of some useful features of such sophisticated tools in connection with common computing facilities and more powerful multiple-processor parallel processing systems are provided.
Abstract: Monte Carlo techniques have become popular in different areas of medical physics with advantage of powerful computing systems. In particular, they have been extensively applied to simulate processes involving random behavior and to quantify physical parameters that are difficult or even impossible to calculate by experimental measurements. Recent nuclear medical imaging innovations such as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), and multiple emission tomography (MET) are ideal for Monte Carlo modeling techniques because of the stochastic nature of radiation emission, transport and detection processes. Factors which have contributed to the wider use include improved models of radiation transport processes, the practicality of application with the development of acceleration schemes and the improved speed of computers. In this paper we present a derivation and methodological basis for this approach and critically review their areas of application in nuclear imaging. An overview of existing simulation programs is provided and illustrated with examples of some useful features of such sophisticated tools in connection with common computing facilities and more powerful multiple-processor parallel processing systems. Current and future trends in the field are also discussed.

278 citations


"Simulation of a quality control jas..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...The design of SPECT and PET systems using the Monte Carlo method has received considerable attention and a large number of applications were the result of such investigations [9, 10]....

    [...]

  • ...Monte Carlo simulations are nowadays employed as an essential tool in nuclear medicine imaging, both in single-photon emission computed tomography ( SPECT) and in positron emission tomography (PET) [1-3]....

    [...]

  • ...We would also suggest that the same phantom should be used for the simple assessment of Xray CT images and the assessment of image offset for SPECT/CT and PET/CT systems....

    [...]

  • ...A Jaszczak SPECT Phantom provides consistent performance information for any SPECT or PET system....

    [...]

Reference BookDOI
05 Nov 2012
TL;DR: The Monte Carlo method applied in other areas of SPECT imaging and in other topics of nuclear medicine and medical physics.
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101 citations