Shape analysis of 123I-N-omega-fluoropropyl-2-beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane single-photon emission computed tomography images in the assessment of patients with parkinsonian syndromes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to show the viability and performance of a shape-based pattern recognition technique applied to I-N-omega-fluoropropyl-2-beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane single-photon emission computed tomography (FP-CIT SPECT) in patients with parkinsonism.


METHODS
A fully automated pattern recognition tool, based on the shape of FP-CIT SPECT images, was written using Java. Its performance was evaluated and compared with QuantiSPECT, a region-of-interest-based quantitation tool, and observer performance using receiver operating characteristic analysis and kappa statistics. The techniques were compared using a sample of patients and controls recruited from a prospective community-based study of first presentation of parkinsonian symptoms with longitudinal follow up (median 3 years).


RESULTS
The shape-based technique as well as the conventional semiquantitative approach was performed by experienced observers. The technique had a high level of automation, thereby avoiding observer/operator variability.


CONCLUSIONS
A pattern recognition approach is a viable alternative to traditional methods of analysis in FP-CIT SPECT and has additional advantages.
Staff
Roger T
RT
Medical Physics, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS-Grampian, University of Aberdeen, UK. r.staff@biomed.abdn.ac.uk
Ahearn
Trevor S
TS
Wilson
Kevin
K
Counsell
Carl E
CE
Taylor
Kate
K
Caslake
Robert
R
Davidson
Joyce E
JE
Gemmell
Howard G
HG
Murray
Alison D
AD
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods*; D014326:Tropanes
D014326:Tropanes; C087552:2-carbomethoxy-8-(3-fluoropropyl)-3-(4-iodophenyl)tropane