MRI-guided voxel-based automatic semi-quantification of dopamine transporter imaging.

Purpose: Functional imaging with I-FP-CIT SPECT suffers from poor spatial resolution resulting in partial-volume effect, which affects the subsequent semi-quantification. Definition of regions of interest for semi-quantification is further subject to user's experience and inter-observer variability. The aim of this work has been to develop an automatic method for definition of volumes of interest and partial-volume correction using patient-specific MRI and providing complete contrast recovery in striatal region.

Assessment of renal function before contrast media injection: right decisions based on inaccurate estimates.

Objectives: Information on renal function required before specified radiological examinations with contrast agents is usually obtained through prediction equations using serum creatinine and anthropometric data. The aim of our study was to demonstrate discrepancy between poor prediction and good diagnostic accuracy of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by prediction equations.

Methods: In 50 patients, reference GFR was measured as plasma clearance of 51-chromium labeled ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic-acid (Cr-EDTA) and compared with GFR assayed by creatinine clearance (CC) and estimated by Cockcroft-Gault prediction equation (CG).

The SNMMI and EANM practice guideline for renal scintigraphy in adults.

Purpose: The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) is an international scientific and professional organization founded in 1954 to promote the science, technology, and practical application of nuclear medicine. The European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) is a professional nonprofit medical association that facilitates communication worldwide between individuals pursuing clinical and research excellence in nuclear medicine. The EANM was founded in 1985.

Improved scatter correction with factor analysis for planar and SPECT imaging.

Quantitative nuclear medicine imaging is an increasingly important frontier. In order to achieve quantitative imaging, various interactions of photons with matter have to be modeled and compensated. Although correction for photon attenuation has been addressed by including x-ray CT scans (accurate), correction for Compton scatter remains an open issue.

A simple method for determining split renal function from dynamic (99m)Tc-MAG3 scintigraphic data.

Purpose: Commonly used methods for determining split renal function (SRF) from dynamic scintigraphic data require extrarenal background subtraction and additional correction for intrarenal vascular activity. The use of these additional regions of interest (ROIs) can produce inaccurate results and be challenging, e.g.

WWSSF - a worldwide study on radioisotopic renal split function: reproducibility of renal split function assessment in children.

Purpose: The split or differential renal function is the most widely accepted quantitative parameter derived from radionuclide renography. To examine the intercenter variance of this parameter, we designed a worldwide round robin test.

Methods: Five selected dynamic renal studies have been distributed all over the world by e-mail.

The reproducibility of measurements of differential renal function in paediatric 99mTc-MAG3 renography.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to establish the reproducibility of estimates of differential renal function (DRF) obtained using the software supplied by different vendors, assess the effects of age, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and degree of asymmetry of renal function on reproducibility and ascertain whether the software gives the same estimates of DRF.

Methods: A stratified sample of 172 renograms covering a wide range of DRF estimates, age and renal function was drawn from an electronic archive containing raw data from 1416 renograms. The renograms were processed by one operator using seven different methods, five times for each method.

Comparison of advanced iterative reconstruction methods for SPECT/CT.

Aim: Corrective image reconstruction methods which produce reconstructed images with improved spatial resolution and decreased noise level became recently commercially available. In this work, we tested the performance of three new software packages with reconstruction schemes recommended by the manufacturers using physical phantoms simulating realistic clinical settings.

Methods: A specially designed resolution phantom containing three (99m)Tc lines sources and the NEMA NU-2 image quality phantom were acquired on three different SPECT/CT systems (General Electrics Infinia, Philips BrightView and Siemens Symbia T6).

Probable range for whole kidney mean transit time values determined by reexamination of UK audit studies.

Objectives: Inconsistency in the intercentre measurement of whole kidney mean transit time (MTT) has been reported in a previously published UK audit. The main objectives of this study were to identify a probable value of MTT for each kidney in the UK audit data and to find likely reasons for the reported variations.

Methods: Datasets of MTT values were obtained by an independent review of the audit data by four experienced practitioners of deconvolution techniques.

International Scientific Committee of Radionuclides in Nephrourology (ISCORN) consensus on renal transit time measurements.

This report is the conclusion of the international consensus committee on renal transit time (subcommittee of the International Scientific Committee of Radionuclides in Nephrourology) and provides recommendations on measurement, normal values, and analysis of clinical utility. Transit time is the time that a tracer remains within the kidney or within a part of the kidney (eg, parenchymal transit time). It can be obtained from a dynamic renogram and a vascular input acquired in standardized conditions by a deconvolution process.

An inter-laboratory comparison study of image quality of PET scanners using the NEMA NU 2-2001 procedure for assessment of image quality.

An inter-laboratory comparison study was conducted to assess the image quality of PET scanners in Austria. The survey included both dedicated PET scanners (D-PET, n = 8) and coincidence cameras (GC-PET, n = 7). Measurement of image quality was based on the NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) NU 2-2001 protocol and the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) body phantom.

Elimination of the influence of total renal function on renal output efficiency and normalized residual activity.

Unlabelled: One of the potential limitations in the usefulness of both renal output efficiency (ROE) and normalized residual activity (NORA) is their residual dependence on total renal function. The purpose of this study was to present and examine a new quantitative method whereby the effects of this dependence may be removed.

Methods: The analytic method involves the determination of a retention function using an unconstrained matrix algorithm deconvolution technique followed by reconvolution with a chosen standard input function to yield a new secondary renal activity time (A/T) curve from which normalized values of ROE and NORA, denoted as N_ROE and N_NORA, respectively, can then be obtained using conventional definitions.