title: Intrinsic uniformity and relative sensitivity quality control tests for single-head gamma cameras.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine the best parameters for rapid performance of daily quality control testing of intrinsic uniformity and relative sensitivity for the single-head gamma-camera system in our nuclear medicine department.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of the following parameters on intrinsic uniformity were studied: gamma source activity, number of acquired counts for the flood image, source-to-camera distance, image matrix size, and source volume. The dead time of the system was determined experimentally using the two-source method for accurate calculation of relative sensitivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A set of parameters for rapid performance of daily gamma-camera intrinsic uniformity and relative sensitivity was determined. The dead time of our gamma-camera system was found to be 4.5 +/- 0.2 micros.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With our recommended parameters, the intrinsic uniformity and relative sensitivity quality control testing can be performed in 5-6 min. The dead time of each gamma-camera system must be determined experimentally in each nuclear medicine department.
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Department, Cuero Community Hospital, Texas 77954, USA. abdel@dewittec.net
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Elkamhawy
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rothenbach
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Damaraju
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Badruddin
mesh_terms: D015902:Gamma Cameras / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control