Activity recovery for differently shaped objects in quantitative SPECT

Abstract Objective. The aim was to theoretically and experimentally investigate recovery in SPECT images with objects of different shapes. Furthermore, the accuracy of volume estimation by thresholding was studied for those shapes. Approach. Nine spheres, nine oblate spheroids, and nine prolate spheroids phantom inserts were used, of which the six smaller spheres were part of the NEMA IEC body phantom and the rest of the inserts were 3D-printed. The inserts were filled with 99m Tc and 177 Lu. When filled with 99m Tc, SPECT images were acquired in a Siemens Symbia Intevo Bold gamma camera and when filled with 177 Lu in a General Electric NM/CT 870 DR gamma camera. The signal rate per activity (SRPA) was determined for all inserts and represented as a function of the volume-to-surface ratio and of the volume-equivalent radius using VOIs defined according to the sphere dimensions and VOIs defined using thresholding. Experimental values were compared with theoretical curves obtained analytically (spheres) or numerically (spheroids), starting from the convolution of a source distribution with a point-spread function. Validation of the activity estimation strategy was performed using four 3D-printed ellipsoids. Lastly, the threshold values necessary to determine the volume of each insert were obtained. Main results. Results showed that SRPA values for the oblate spheroids diverted from the other inserts, when SRPA were represented as a function of the volume-equivalent radius. However, SRPA values for all inserts followed a similar behaviour when represented as a function of the volume-to-surface ratio. Results for ellipsoids were in agreement with those results. For the three types of inserts the volume could be accurately estimated using a threshold method for volumes larger than 25 ml. Significance. Determination of SRPA independently of lesion or organ shape should decrease uncertainties in estimated activities and thereby, in the long term, be beneficial to patient care.