title: A review of small animal imaging planar and pinhole spect Gamma camera imaging.
abstract: Scintigraphy (positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) techniques) allows qualitative and quantitative measurement of physiologic processes as well as alterations secondary to various disease states. With the use of specific radioligands, molecular pathways and pharmaco-kinetic processes can be investigated. Radioligand delivery can be (semi)quantified in the region of interest in cross-sectional and longitudinal examinations, which can be performed under the same conditions or after physiologic or pharmacologic interventions. Most preclinical pharmacokinetic studies on physiological and experimentally altered physiological processes are performed in laboratory animals using high-resolution imaging systems. Single photon emission imaging has the disadvantage of decreased spatial and temporal resolution compared with PET. The advantage of SPECT is that equipment is generally more accessible and commonly used radionuclides have a longer physical half-life allowing for investigations over a longer time interval. This review will focus on single photon emission scintigraphy. An overview of contemporary techniques to measure biodistribution and kinetics of radiopharmaceuticals in small animal in vivo is presented. Theoretical as well as practical aspects of planar gamma camera and SPECT pinhole (PH) imaging are discussed. Current research is focusing on refining PH SPECT methodology, so specific regarding technical aspects and applications of PH SPECT will be reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kathelijne
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peremans
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cornelissen
authors.forename: Bieke
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Den Bossche
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Audenaert
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van de Wiele
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D015902:Gamma Cameras / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals