Dynamic ۱۸F-FDG PET Images Simulation Using ۴D-XCAT Phantom and Kinetic Modeling for Lesion Detectability Investigation and Scan Time Reduction Purpose

Introduction: Simulation in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies is considered as an effective approach to test new mathematical methods for image processing and lesion detection. It’s an alternative way to overcome the drawback of obtaining a sufficient set of clinical images with known truth about the presence or absence of lesions. This work aimed to simulate, in a new and fast way, realistic dynamic ۱۸F-FDG PET images for lesion detectability investigation and scan time reduction. Material and Methods: The ۴D-XCAT phantom was utilized in this work. The three-compartment model was used to simulate the Time Activity Curves (TAC’s) of ۱۸F-FDG. The arterial input function of ۱۸F-FDG was modeled using a parametric function. The TAC’s of ۱۱ tissues defined in the ۴D-XCAT phantom were simulated. The activity values were calculated from the TAC’s considering a real ۱۸F-FDG dynamic PET acquisition protocol. These activity values were assigned to each voxel of ۴D-XCAT to produce ۲۸ activity maps. The GE Discovery PET/CT ۷۱۰ scanner, modeled in the STIR platform, was used to generate the sinograms. OSMAPOSL Algorithm was considered to reconstruct dynamic ۱۸F-FDG PET images. Results: Realistic dynamic ۱۸F-FDG PET images were generated. The qualitative and quantitative comparison showed a good agreement between the ۴D-XCAT phantom images before and after the reconstruction procedure. The computation time of the reconstruction procedure was ۸.۷۶ min/frame. Conclusion: The present study was found to be a promising and realistic approach to dynamic PET dPET imaging optimization in terms of scanning time reduction and lesion detectability amelioration.

Keywords:

Computer Simulation Positron , Emission Tomography Imaging Phantom Image Reconstruction