Performance evaluation of the PET sub-systems of two PET/CT imagers according to NEMA standard NU 2-2001.
Performance and image quality of PET scanners are mainly determined by the choice of the detector material and the realised design of the scanner. The aim of this study was to measure the PET performance characteristics of two state-of-the-art PET/CT Systems.


METHODS
Performance measurements following the NEMA NU 2-2001 standard were performed on a GSO-based system and on a system with LSO detectors. The following parameters were determined: spatial resolution, scatter fraction, sensitivity and count rate behaviour A body phantom was used to determine the image quality as well as the influence of differently performed attenuation corrections (low dose CT vs. 137Cs transmission source).


RESULTS
Both scanners have partly different, but altogether good performance characteristics. The differences can be explained mostly by different physical properties of the detectors and by a different design of the scanners including the implemented electronics.


CONCLUSIONS
If the data are to be compared quantitatively, the modality of the attenuation correction has to be taken into account, especially in regions with reduced uptake or reduced density. Both scanners achieve a very good image quality rich in contrast within short acquisition times which allows easy detection of small lesions.
Strigl
Markus
M
Klinikum der Universität München, Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin. Markus.Strigl@med.uni-muenchen.de
Martínez
María-José
MJ
Zach
Christian
C
Ziegler
Sibylle I
SI
Hahn
Klaus
K
D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000592:standards*