title: Review: a comparison of computerized quantitative methods for interpreting Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphs.
abstract: Thallium-201 is a cation extracted very rapidly by myocardial cells from the coronary artery blood supply. Areas with insufficient blood flow (ischemic) or non-viable tissue (infarcted) do not pick up Tl-201. Images (scintigraphs) can be obtained from the radiation emanating from the myocardial walls. By visual methods scintigraphic interpretation is difficult. The object of this review is to present essential characteristics of some methods using computerized quantitative Tl-201 scintigraphy as well as their degree of sensitivity and specificity. Computerized evaluation offers the advantage of consistency of interpretation. Furthermore, many computerized methods achieve improved sensitivity and specificity over visual methods. The above technique may also be extended to other radionuclides.
mesh_terms: D003201:Computers; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D011868:Radioisotopes; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013793:Thallium
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D013793:Thallium