Cardiac phantom evaluation of simultaneously acquired dual-isotope rest thallium-201/stress technetium-99m SPECT images

V. J. Lowe, K. L. Greer, M. W. Hanson, R. J. Jaszczak, R. E. Coleman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Simultaneously acquired dual-isotope 201Tl/99mTc SPECT studies were performed using cardiac and thoracic phantoms to evaluate the dual-isotope myocardial perfusion technique. Cardiac phantom images representing infarction, viable myocardium and various levels of ischemia were analyzed. Studies with and without attenuating media were performed, and myocardium- to-defect count ratios and defect sizes from dual-isotope SPECT images were compared to myocardium-to-defect count ratios and defect sizes from single- isotope (201Tl/99mTc) SPECT images. Dual-isotope studies also were interpreted qualitatively. Studies with background activity simulating clinical conditions were performed and interpreted qualitatively. Myocardium- to-defect count ratios from both 99mTc and 201Tl were similar in single-isotope and dual-isotope SPECT images. Thallium-201 and 99mTc defect sizes were decreased slightly (mean ± s.d., 1.0 == 1.7 cc for 201Tl and 0.7 ± 1.0 cc for 99mTc) on dual studies when compared to single studies but were not statistically significant. Dual-isotope image simulations of normal, ischemic and infarcted and viable myocardium were correctly identified by experienced clinicians in 95% of the cases (21/22). Simultaneous dual-isotope 201Tl/99mTc SPECT imaging of cardiac phantoms produced images that had similar myocardium-to-defect count ratios to those produced using single-isotope techniques and were correctly evaluated on qualitative analysis. Changes in defect size related to dual-isotope imaging were minimal and not qualitatively important.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1998-2006
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine
Volume34
Issue number11
StatePublished - 1993

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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