The potential advantages and workflow challenges of long axial field of view PET/CT.

Recently developed Long (≥100 cm) axial field of view (AFOV) PET/CT scanners are capable of producing images with higher signal-to-noise ratio, or performing faster whole-body acquisitions, or scanning with lower radiation dose to the patient, compared with conventional PET/CT scanners. These benefits, which arise due to their substantially higher, by more than an order of magnitude, geometric efficiency, have been well described in the recent literature. The introduction of Long AFOV PET/CT technology into the clinic also has important implications for the design and workflow of PET/CT facilities and their effects on radiation exposure to staff and patients.

Implementation of a Spatially-Variant and Tissue-Dependent Positron Range Correction for PET/CT Imaging.

Aim: To develop and evaluate a new approach for spatially variant and tissue-dependent positron range (PR) correction (PRC) during the iterative PET image reconstruction.

Materials And Methods: The PR distributions of three radionuclides (F, Ga, and I) were simulated using the GATE (GEANT4) framework in different material compositions (lung, water, and bone). For every radionuclide, the uniform PR kernel was created by mapping the simulated 3D PR point cloud to a 3D matrix with its size defined by the maximum PR in lung (F) or water (Ga and I) and the PET voxel size.

Optimization of Tc whole-body SPECT/CT image quality: A phantom study.

Investigate the impact of acquisition time and reconstruction parameters on single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) image quality with the ultimate aim of finding the shortest possible acquisition time for clinical whole-body SPECT/CT (WB-SPECT/CT) while maintaining image quality METHODS: The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) image quality measurements were performed on a SPECT/CT imaging system using a NEMA International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) phantom with spherical inserts of varying diameter (10-37 mm), filled with Tc in activity sphere-to-background concentration ratio of 8.5:1. A gated acquisition was acquired and binned data were summed to simulate acquisitions of 15, 8, and 3 s per projection angle.

Reducing Radiation Exposure to Paediatric Patients Undergoing [18F]FDG-PET/CT Imaging.

Purpose: To investigate the possibility of reducing the injected activity for whole-body [18F]FDG-PET/CT studies of paediatric oncology patients and to assess the usefulness of time-of-flight (TOF) acquisition on PET image quality at reduced count levels.

Procedures: Twenty-nine paediatric oncology patients (12F/17M, 3-18 years old (median age 13y), weight 45±20 kg, BMI 19±4 kg/m), who underwent routine whole-body PET/CT examinations on a Siemens Biograph mCT TrueV system with TOF capability (555ps) were included in this study. The mean injected activity was 156 ± 45 MBq (3.

Imaging prior to radiotherapy impacts survival.

Background And Purpose: Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is routinely used in radiotherapy to identify the position of the target volume. The aim of this study was to determine whether the CBCT dose, when followed by the treatment, influences the therapeutic outcomes as determined by in-vitro clonogenic cell survival in a radiobiological experiment.

Materials And Methods: Human cell lines, four cancer and one normal, were exposed to a 6 MV photon beam, produced by a linear accelerator.

Increasing iterative reconstruction strength at low tube voltage in coronary CT angiography protocols using 3D-printed and Catphan 500 phantoms.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm strength at different tube voltages in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) protocols using a three-dimensional (3D)-printed and Catphan 500 phantoms.

Methods: A 3D-printed cardiac insert and Catphan 500 phantoms were scanned using CCTA protocols at 120 and 100 kVp tube voltages. All CT acquisitions were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) and Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction (ASIR) algorithm at 40% and 60% strengths.

Evaluation of an integrated 3D-printed phantom for coronary CT angiography using iterative reconstruction algorithm.

Introduction: 3D-printed imaging phantoms are now increasingly available and used for computed tomography (CT) dose optimisation study and image quality analysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the integrated 3D-printed cardiac insert phantom when evaluating iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm in coronary CT angiography (CCTA) protocols.

Methods: The 3D-printed cardiac insert phantom was positioned into a chest phantom and scanned with a 16-slice CT scanner.

Diagnostic reference levels for F-FDG whole body PET/CT procedures: Results from a survey of 12 centres in Australia and New Zealand.

Introduction: The aim of this work is to report diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for hybrid positron emission tomography and x-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) exams in Australia (AU) for Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA) (AU QLD/WA) and New Zealand (NZ).

Methods: Two-structured booklets were designed to collect dose information, patient demographics, equipment details and acquisition protocols for fluoride-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ( F-FDG) PET/CT procedures, and any additional diagnostic CT routinely performed as part of F-FDG whole-body examination. The DRL was reported based on the 75 percentile and achievable dose for F-FDG, CT dose index volume (CTDI ) and dose length product (DLP).

An Australian local diagnostic reference level for paediatric whole-body F-FDG PET/CT.

Objective:: The aim of this study is to report a local diagnostic reference level (DRL) for paediatric whole-body (WB) fludeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) CT examinations.

Methods:: The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) national DRL (NDRL) age category (0-4 years and 5-14 years), the International Commission on Radiological Protection age category (ICRP age) (<1, >1-5, >5-10, and >10-15 years), and European guideline weight category ( EG weight) (<5, 5-<15, 15-<30, 30-<50, and 50-<80 kg) were used to determine a local DRL for WB F FDG PET/CT studies. Two-structured questionnaires were designed to collect dose data, patient demographics, equipment details, and acquisition protocols for WB F-FDG PET/CT procedures.

The associated factors for radiation dose variation in cardiac CT angiography.

Objective:: This study aimed to examine the associated factors for dose variation and influence cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) dose benchmarks in current CT imaging centres.

Methods:: A questionnaire was distributed to CT centres across Australia and Saudi Arabia. All participating centres collected data for adults who underwent a CCTA procedure.

Determining and updating PET/CT and SPECT/CT diagnostic reference levels: A systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the national diagnostic reference level (NDRL) methods for positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) procedures. A search strategy was based on the preferred, reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Relevant articles retrieved from Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cinahl, and Google Scholar published up to October 2017.

DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS FOR CARDIAC CT ANGIOGRAPHY IN AUSTRALIA.

This study aims to assess patient radiation dose from cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) with the aim of proposing a national diagnostic reference levels (NDRLs) for CCTA procedures in Australia. A questionnaire was used to retrospectively gather baseline information related to CCTA scanning and patient parameters in CT centres across the country. The 75th percentile of both volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length-product (DLP) was used as DRL values for CCTA.

Development of an organ-specific insert phantom generated using a 3D printer for investigations of cardiac computed tomography protocols.

Introduction: An ideal organ-specific insert phantom should be able to simulate the anatomical features with appropriate appearances in the resultant computed tomography (CT) images. This study investigated a 3D printing technology to develop a novel and cost-effective cardiac insert phantom derived from volumetric CT image datasets of anthropomorphic chest phantom.

Methods: Cardiac insert volumes were segmented from CT image datasets, derived from an anthropomorphic chest phantom of Lungman N-01 (Kyoto Kagaku, Japan).

ESTABLISHING DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS FOR CARDIAC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY IN SAUDI ARABIA.

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a commonly used diagnostic imaging tool for cardiovascular disease. Despite constant improvements to imaging technologies, the radiation dose to patients remains a concern when using this procedure. Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are used as a trigger to identify and alert individual facilities that are using high doses during CT.

DIAGNOSTIC REFERENCE LEVELS IN CARDIAC COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a commonly used diagnostic tool for cardiovascular disease. Despite constant improvements to imaging technologies, the radiation dose to patients from CCTA remains a concern when using this procedure. There remains a need for optimisation of CCTA procedures and accurate dose monitoring to reduce the potential risk of cancer.

Radiation dose and diagnostic image quality associated with iterative reconstruction in coronary CT angiography: A systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the radiation dose reduction achieved using iterative reconstruction (IR) compared to filtered back projection (FBP) in coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and assess the impact on diagnostic image quality. A systematic search of seven electronic databases was performed to identify all studies using a developed keywords strategy. A total of 14 studies met the criteria and were included in a review analysis.

Screening mammography: test set data can reasonably describe actual clinical reporting.

Purpose: To establish the extent to which test set reading can represent actual clinical reporting in screening mammography.

Materials And Methods: Institutional ethics approval was granted, and informed consent was obtained from each participating screen reader. The need for informed consent with respect to the use of patient materials was waived.

Breast screen new South wales generally demonstrates good radiologic viewing conditions.

This study measured reading workstation monitors and the viewing environment currently available within BreastScreen New South Wales (BSNSW) centres to determine levels of adherence to national and international guidelines. Thirteen workstations from four BSNSW service centres were assessed using the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 18 Quality Control test pattern. Reading workstation monitor performance and ambient light levels when interpreting screening mammographic images were assessed using spectroradiometer CS-2000 and chroma meter CL-200.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy in the diabetic patient: does 123I-MIBG imaging have a role to play in early diagnosis?

Objectives: In diabetes, extended adrenergic receptor stimulation with hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency is associated with cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Clinically evident diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is associated with a poor prognosis. Research studies indicate that autonomic function tests, which are traditionally used to diagnose diabetic CAN, are less sensitive than (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging, particularly in the early stages of the disease.

Health science students' time organization and management skills: a cross-disciplinary investigation.

One hundred and fifty-four final year health science undergraduates from the disciplines of Medical Radiation Sciences, Speech Pathology and Physiotherapy in the Faculty of Health Sciences, the University of Sydney completed the Australian Time Organisation and Management Scale (ATOMS). Findings identified the strengths and weaknesses of students on the four dimensions included in this analysis. Whilst the results indicated strengths in the area of students' sense of purpose, level of focus and goal-setting ability, areas of weakness were noted, particularly with regard to the use of basic time-management devices (e.