Three-dimensional imaging utilizing energy discrimination. I

An algorithm is proposed for three-dimensional image reconstruction in nuclear medicine which uses scattered radiation rather than multiple projected images to determine the source depth within the body. Images taken from numerous energy windows are combined to construct the source distribution in the body. The gamma-ray camera is not moved during the imaging process. Experiments with both /sup 99m/Tc and /sup 67/Ga demonstrate that two channels of depth information can be extracted from the low-energy images produced by scattered radiation. By combining this technique with standard SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) reconstruction using multiple projections, the authors anticipate much improved spatial resolution in the overall three-dimensional reconstruction.>