title: Novel attenuation correction of SPECT images using scatter photopeak window data for the detection of coronary artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attenuation correction using segmentation with scatter and photopeak window data (SSPAC) may enable evaluation of the attenuation map in a patient-specific manner without the need for additional radiation exposure and more acquisition time. We examined the feasibility of SSPAC and compared the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this new correction method with that of conventional non-corrected myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) among patients with suspected or diagnosed coronary artery disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred sixty-one patients who underwent both (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin stress/rest SPECT examination and invasive coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Data from the SSPAC-corrected and non-corrected methods were analyzed quantitatively using summed stress scores. Attenuation maps were obtained successfully for 150 (93%) of the patients. The SSPAC-corrected and non-corrected methods accurately predicted coronary artery disease defined as >50% luminal stenosis verified by coronary artery angiography and/or prior myocardial infarction, for 91% and 77% patients, respectively (P < .05). For diagnosis of coronary artery disease, SSPAC improved sensitivity in the left anterior descending artery territory and specificity in the right coronary artery territory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Attenuation correction with SSPAC may be a feasible method of correction for myocardial perfusion SPECT and in some cases may provide better accuracy for diagnosing coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Osaka Medical College, 2-7, Daigaku-machi, Takatsuki, 569-8686, Japan.
authors.forename: Yohei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.forename: Yumiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kanzaki
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otsuka
authors.forename: Masuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Mami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Shimpei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nogi
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morita
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Komori
authors.forename: Nobukazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishizaka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055414:Myocardial Perfusion Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010477:Perfusion; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; C078700:technetium tc-99m tetrofosmin