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Objectives: The spatial resolution of emission tomographic imaging systems can lead to a significant underestimation in the apparent radioactivity concentration in objects of size comparable to the resolution volume of the system. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the partial volume effect (PVE) on clinical imaging in PET and SPECT with current state-of-the-art instrumentation and the implications that this has for radionuclide dosimetry estimates. Methods: Lu SPECT imaging based on a subject with multiple somatostatin receptor positive paragangliomas in the head and neck. Results: Lu imaging), however, the underestimates are far greater, where single pixel estimates in objects less than 2-3×the resolution volume are significantly impacted. In SPECT, region of interest mean values are underestimated in objects less than 10 cm in diameter. In the clinical case example, the dosimetry measured with SPECT ranged from more than 60% underestimate in the largest lesion (28×22 mm in maximal cross-section; 10.2 cc volume) to >99% underestimate in the smallest lesion (4×5 mm; 0.06 cc). Conclusion: The partial volume effect remains a significant factor when estimating radionuclide uptake in vivo, especially in small volumes. Accurate estimates of absorbed dose from radionuclide therapy will be particularly challenging until robust solutions to correct for the PVE are found.
Marquis et al. (Sun,) studied this question.