Development of a myocardial phantom and analysis system toward standardization of myocardial SPECT image

Objectives The goal of this study is to develop myocardial phantom EMIT (the evaluation system of myocardial image based on technical grounds) and analysis system toward standardization of myocardial SPECT image to reduce a difference of image quality among institutions.

Methods A characteristic of this system is to structure delicate myocardial phantom possible to evaluate myocardial defect with each four kinds of size (5, 10, 15, 20mm) and thickness (10. 7.5, 5, 2.5mm) simultaneously, and to develop program of image analysis and evaluation. After performing registration between the SPECT images obtained from EMIT phantom experiment and MRI image (template image), the polar map was created SPECT and MRI images, respectively. Using the polar map for each SPECT and MRI image, the %uptake for myocardial defects with each size and thickness was calculated.

Results Without changing the individual myocardial defects of size and thickness, we simultaneously can obtain images of 8 kinds of defects at acquisition of one time, and can investigate the detestability of defect with visual and quantitative analysis.

Conclusions The construction of database criteria for quality of myocardial SPECT image was possible. To be able to legally evaluate images of their own institutions using the database criteria, it was suggested that this myocardial phantom and analysis system may contribute to reduce a difference of image quality among institutions