title: Fusion of SPECT and multidetector CT images for accurate localization of pelvic sentinel lymph nodes in prostate cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was performed to investigate the feasibility of fusion of images obtained by SPECT and multidetector CT (MDCT) for the accurate localization of sentinel lymph nodes in prostate cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  To facilitate the fusion of both SPECT and CT images, a pelvic MDCT scan was performed with 3 markers of small plastic bullets attached to the skin over the bilateral iliac crests and the ventral midline at the same height. SPECT was performed after the same locations were marked with needle caps containing (99m)Tc-pertechnetate. The images were superimposed by use of free software (MRIcro). The results of hot lymph node detection with fusion images were compared with those of surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The images could be successfully superimposed for all 11 patients examined. Surgeons accurately confirmed 27 (87.1%) of 31 regional lymph nodes on fusion images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fusion of SPECT and MDCT images is useful for the precise localization of sentinel lymph nodes in prostate cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiological Technology, School of Health Science, Kanazawa University, Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Japan. kizu@cf6.so-net.ne.jp
authors.forename: Hiroto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kizu
authors.forename: Teruhiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Egawa
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsushima
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ichiyanagi
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Masahisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onoguchi
authors.forename: Norihisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tonami
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods