The influence of SPECT reconstruction algorithms on image quality and diagnostic accuracy in phantom measurements and 99mTc-sestamibi parathyroid scintigraphy.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the influence and clinical consequences of different tomographic reconstruction algorithms on the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of low count statistics single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods: Phantom scans were used to assess the image quality (percentage of recovered contrast, relative noise level, and spatial resolution). The diagnostic accuracy of parathyroid SPECT performed in 60 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism was assessed.