title: Optimization of signal detection in SPECT.
abstract: Parallel-hole collimators of varying design are discussed, using the display signal-to-noise ratio of R.F. Wagner et al. (Med. Phys., vol.6, p.83-94, 1979) to obtain contrast-detail diagrams and analytical expressions for the signal-to-noise ratio in SPECT (single-photon-emission computed tomography). It is concluded: (1) that the detectability of deeply embedded small objects (more than ~10 cm deep) may be improved only slightly by improvements in the resolution and geometric efficiency of parallel-hole collimators; (2) that a long-bore collimator outperforms a low-energy general-purpose collimator for objects smaller than ~2 cm, but only to a minor degree; and (3) that for improvement of small object detectability by SPECT, the most fruitful technological pursuit would probably involve development of focused collimators.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Radiol., Wisconsin Univ., Madison, WI.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Vaslow
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bianco