title: Towards intra-operative PET for head and neck cancer: lymph node localization using high-energy probes.
abstract: We present a novel approach for intra-operative localization of lymph nodes and metastases in the head and neck region using the radio-tracer [18F]FDG. By combining an optical tracking system with a high-energy gamma probe to detect 511keV annihilation gammas, we enable intra-operative PET to visualize activity distributions. Detection of these gammas is modeled ad-hoc analytically, taking into account several factors affecting the detection process. This allows us to iteratively reconstruct the radio-tracer distribution within a localized volume of interest. As a feasibility study we analyze clinical data of 7 patients with tumors in the head and neck region, and derive a realistic neck phantom configuration with [18F]FDG-filled lesions mimicking tumors and lymph nodes. We demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of our approach using that neck phantom. We also outline possible improvements to make our method clinically viable towards less invasive surgeries.
authors.affiliation: Computer Aided Medical Procedures, Technische Universität München, Germany.
authors.forename: Dzhoshkun I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Shakir
authors.forename: Ash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okur
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Matthies
authors.forename: Sibylle I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Essler
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lasser
authors.forename: Nassir
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Navab
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D015233:Models, Statistical; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000494:pharmacology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18