title: Comparing SUV values of images at PET-CT console and the RT planning console using identical dataset of a study phantom.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of positron emission tomography (PET) for radiotherapy planning purposes has become increasingly important in the last few years.In the current study, we compared the SUV values of images at the PET CT console to the SUV values obtained at the RT planning workstation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PET-CT cylindrical body phantom was filled with a uniform 18F solution of 5.3. ± 0.27 kBq/mL radioactivity concentration. PET-CT scans were performed on a16 slice Time of Flight system. On a single day, the three consecutive scans were done at three time points 15 minutes apart to generate time points image data sets titled T1, T2, and T3. SUV calculations were performed by drawing region of interest. (ROI) encompassing the entire hot spot on each slice on the PET-CT console and the iPlan workstation. Minimum SUV, Maximum SUV and the Mean SUV were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS software. (SPSS Inc.) (Version 18).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The absolute difference in average max SUV values i.e. Max (PET-CT) - Max (iPlan) for the time points T1, T2 and T3 were -0.168 (SD 0.175), -0.172 (SD 0.172) and -0.178 (SD 0.169). The difference in the minimum SUV values were -0.513 (SD 0.428), -0.311 (SD 0.358) and -0.303 (SD 0.322), respectively. Finally, the difference in the mean SUV values were -0.107 (SD 0.040), -0.096 (SD 0.067) and -0.072 (SD 0.044), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study found out that the average difference in the two systems for maximum SUV values was < 0.2 absolute units.Our study suggests good reproducibility of SUV between the two systems. The relevance of these findings would be of seminal importance in current and future SUV-based PET-CT-based contouring in treatment planning systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Anusheel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Munshi
authors.forename: Sayan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Biplab
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.forename: Pinkey
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bala
authors.forename: Tharmar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ganesh
authors.forename: Ishita B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Vineet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pant
authors.forename: Bidhu K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Mohanti
mesh_terms: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18