title: Semiconductor camera for detection of small tumors.
abstract: Early detection of small tumors (approximately 3 mm) with only a moderate uptake ratio is often difficult because of poor statistics and a small signal-to-background ratio. The detection capability of a germanium semiconductor camera is analyzed to show that a very large number of counts is required even when the spatial resolution is matched to the size of the tumor. A potential enhancement of statistics using the tissue-scattered gamma rays is discussed based on the superior energy resolution of the semiconductor.
mesh_terms: D005720:Gamma Rays; D005857:Germanium; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012666:Semiconductors
chemical_list: D005857:Germanium