Median polish for quality assurance of a PET scanner.
Sensitivity data for the PC 4600, a multiplanar positron emission tomograph system, were obtained over a period of several months during installation and routine clinical operation. These data were analyzed using the exploratory data analysis techniques of median polish (MP), box and whisker plots, and coded residuals. These techniques proved to be useful in spotting trends and identifying problems. Median polish had advantages over traditional percent difference techniques under some conditions because it allows separate study of more than one effect and is particularly resistant to the influence of outliers. The other exploratory data analysis techniques used are of value in interpreting the results of the MP procedure. The methods presented have direct application to any quantitative multiplanar emission tomographic imaging quality assurance program.
Kearfott
K J
KJ
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-5706.
Rucker
R H
RH
D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011786:Quality Control; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards*