A novel iterative method for lesion delineation and volumetric quantification with FDG PET.
OBJECTIVE
The determination of lesion boundaries on FDG PET is difficult due to the point-spread blurring and unknown uptake of activity within a lesion. Standard threshold-based methods for volumetric quantification on PET usually neglect any size dependence and are biased by dependence on the signal-to-background ratio (SBR). A novel, model-based method is hypothesized to provide threshold levels independent f the SBR and to allow accurate measurement of volumes down to the resolution of the PET scanner.


METHODS
A background-subtracted relative-threshold level (RTL) method was derived, based on a convolution of the point-spread function and a sphere with diameter D. Validation of the RTL method was performed using PET imaging of a Jaszczak phantom with seven hollow spheres (D=10-60 mm). Activity concentrations for the background and spheres (signal) were varied to obtain SBRs of 1.5-10. An iterative procedure was introduced for volumetric quantification, as the optimal RTL depends on a priori knowledge of the volume. The feasibility of the RTL method was tested in two patients with liver metastases and compared to a standard method using a fixed percentage of the signal.


RESULTS
Phantom data validated that the theoretically optimal RTL depends on the sphere size, but not on the SBR. Typically, RTL=40% (D=15-60 mm), and RTL>50% for small spheres (D<12 mm). The RTL method is better applicable to patient data than the standard method.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on an iterative procedure, the RTL method has been shown to provide optimal threshold levels independent of the SBR and to be applicable in phantom and in patient studies. It is a promising tool for lesion delineation and volumetric quantification of PET lesions.
van Dalen
Jorn A
JA
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands. j.vandalen@rad.umcn.nl
Hoffmann
Aswin L
AL
Dicken
Volker
V
Vogel
Wouter V
WV
Wiering
Bastiaan
B
Ruers
Theo J
TJ
Karssemeijer
Nico
N
Oyen
Wim J G
WJ
D000368:Aged; D002138:Calibration; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D047368:Tumor Burden
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18