Scatter Correction for Heart SPECT images Using TEW method

Abstract

IntroductionRadionuclide imaging has a potential of quantitative analysis of regional function of organs. However quantification of SPECT images is degraded by many factors such as Compton photon scattering that could have destructive effect on clinical reports so it is important to do scatter correction for getting SPECT images with better quality. We intended to know how scatter correction with TEW method could help physicians during looking heart SPECT images for getting better reports.Materials and methodsThis study used TEW method for scatter correction, which was proposed by Ogawa et al (1991), using the two narrow windows on either side of the photopeak (20% down and 20% up of the photopeak respectively). Radiopharmaceutical of ^99mTc was used for medical imaging through injection.In this study a total of 80 patients with heart disease indications (43 men and 37 women) over the ages of 30 – 80 years old in Shariati hospital in Tehran, Iran were studied.ResultsPhysicians could look defects better. Contrast and sharpness increased in considerable images after scatter correction so physicians could look defects better. In a few cases after scatter correction defect reports changed into normal. ConclusionUsing TEW sensitivity and specificity were gained from 86% to 94% and from 61% to 84% respectively. This method was simple to use in clinics.