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 language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1998-2006 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Nuclear Medicine |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 11 |
State | Published - 1993 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging