title: Comparative analysis of iterative reconstruction algorithms with resolution recovery and time of flight modeling for18F-FDG cardiac PET: A multi-center phantom study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the image quality in cardiac18F-FDG PET using the time of flight (TOF) and/or point spread function (PSF) modeling in the iterative reconstruction (IR).
  
  
  
  Three scanners and an anthropomorphic cardiac phantom with an insert simulating a transmural defect (TD) were used. Two sets of scans (with/without TD) were acquired, and four reconstruction schemes were considered: (1) IR; (2) IR + PSF, (3) IR + TOF, and (4) IR + TOF + PSF. LV wall thickness (FWHM), contrast between LV wall and inner chamber (CIC), and TD contrast in LV wall (CTD) were evaluated.
  
  
  
  Tests of the reconstruction protocols showed a decrease in FWHM from IR (13 mm) to IR + PSF (11 mm); an increase in the CICfrom IR (65%) to IR + PSF (71%) and from IR + TOF (72%) to IR + TOF + PSF (77%); and an increase in the CTDfrom IR + PSF (72%) to IR + TOF (75%) and to IR + TOF + PSF (77%). Tests of the scanner/software combinations showed a decrease in FWHM from Gemini_TF (13 mm) to Biograph_mCT (12 mm) and to Discovery_690 (11 mm); an increase in the CICfrom Gemini_TF (65%) to Biograph_mCT (73%) and to Discovery_690 (75%); and an increase in the CTDfrom Gemini_TF/Biograph_mCT (72%) to Discovery_690 (77%).
  
  
  
  The introduction of TOF and PSF increases image quality in cardiac18F-FDG PET. The scanner/software combinations exhibit different performances, which should be taken into consideration when making cross comparisons.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Physics and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matheoud
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan and Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lecchi
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Physics and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lizio
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan and Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scabbio
authors.affiliation: Unit of Nuclear Medicine and Department of Cardiology, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Veruno, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marcassa
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Physics and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leva
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan and Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Sole
authors.affiliation: Health Physics Unit, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodella
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, Polyclinic Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Indovina
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Department, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment, Candiolo, Italy.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bracco
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Physics and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Novara, Italy. marco.brambilla@maggioreosp.novara.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brambilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan and Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Orazio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zoccarato
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D057791:Cardiac Imaging Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007558:Italy; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
keywords: PET; cardiac; point spread function; reconstruction algorithms; time of flight