(MC) modelling techniques have been used extensively in Nuclear Medicine (NM). The theoretical energy resolution relationship (∝1= ffiffiffi E p), does not accurately predict the gamma camera detector response across all energies. This study aimed to validate the accuracy of an energy resolution model for the SIMIND MC simulation code emulating the Siemens Symbia T16 dual-head gamma camera. Methods: Measured intrinsic energy resolution data (full width half maximum (FWHM) values), for Ba-133, Lu-177, Am-241, Ga-67, Tc-99m, I-123, I-131 and F-18 sources in air, were used to create a fitted model of the energy response of the gamma camera. Both the fitted and theoretical models were used to simulate intrinsic and extrinsic energy spectra using three different scenarios (source in air; source in simple scatter phantom and a clinical voxelbased digital patient phantom). Results: The results showed the theoretical model underestimated the FWHM values at energies above 160.0 keV up to 23.5 keV. In contrast, the fitted model better predicted the measured FWHM values with differences less than 3.3 keV. The I-131 in-scatter energy spectrum simulated with the fitted model better matched the measured energy spectrum. Higher energy photopeaks, (I-123: 528.9 keV and I-131: 636.9 keV) simulated with the fitted model, more accurately resembled the measured photopeaks. The voxel-based digital patient phantom energy spectra, simulated with the fitted and theoretical models, showed the potential impact of an incorrect energy resolution model when simulating isotopes with multiple photopeaks. Conclusion: Modelling of energy resolution with the proposed fitted model enables the SIMIND user to accurately simulate NM images. A great improvement was seen for high-energy photon emitting isotopes (e.g. I-131), as well as isotopes with multiple photopeaks (e.g. Lu-177, I-131 and Ga-67) in comparison to the theoretical model. This will result in accurate evaluation of radioactivity quantification, which is vital for dosimetric purposes.

Purpose Monte Carlo (MC) modelling techniques can assess the quantitative accuracy of both planar and SPECT Nuclear Medicine images. It is essential to validate the MC code's capabilities in modelling a specific clinical gamma camera, for radionuclides of interest, before its use as a clinical image simulator. This study aimed to determine if the SIMIND MC code accurately simulates emission images measured with a Siemens Symbia™ T16 SPECT/CT system for I-123 with a LEHR and a ME collimator and for I-131 with a HE collimator. Methods The static and WB planar validation tests included extrinsic system energy pulse-height distributions (EPHDs), system sensitivity and system spatial resolution in air as well as a scatter medium. The SPECT validation test comprised the sensitivity from a simple geometry of a sphere in a cylindrical water-filled phantom. Results The system EPHDs compared well, with differences between measured and simulated primary photopeak FWHM values not exceeding 4.6 keV. Measured and simulated planar system sensitivity values displayed percentage differences less than 6.9% and 6.3% for static and WB planar images, respectively. Measured and simulated planar system spatial resolution values in air showed percentage differences not exceeding 6.4% (FWHM) and 10.0% (FWTM), and 5.1% (FWHM) and 5.4% (FWTM) for static and WB planar images, respectively. For static planar system spatial resolution measured and simulated in a scatter medium, percentage differences of FWHM and FWTM values were less than 5.8% and 12.6%, respectively. The maximum percentage difference between the measured and simulated SPECT validation results was 3.6%. Conclusion The measured and simulated validation results compared well for all isotope-collimator combinations and showed that the SIMIND MC code could be used to accurately simulate static and WB planar and SPECT projection images of the Siemens Symbia™ T16 SPECT/CT for both I-123 and I-131 with their respective collimators.

Purpose The quantitative accuracy of Nuclear Medicine images, acquired for both planar and SPECT studies, is influenced by the isotope-collimator combination as well as image corrections incorporated in the iterative reconstruction process. These factors can be investigated and optimised using Monte Carlo simulations. This study aimed to evaluate SPECT quantification accuracy for 123I with both the low-energy high resolution (LEHR) and medium-energy (ME) collimators and 131I with the high-energy (HE) collimator. Methods Simulated SPECT projection images were reconstructed using the OS-EM iterative algorithm, which was optimised for the number of updates, with appropriate corrections for scatter, attenuation and collimator detector response (CDR), including septal scatter and penetration compensation. An appropriate calibration factor (CF) was determined from four different source geometries (activity-filled: water-filled cylindrical phantom, sphere in water-filled (cold) cylindrical phantom, sphere in air and point-like source), investigated with different volume of interest (VOI) diameters. Recovery curves were constructed from recovery coefficients to correct for partial volume effects (PVEs). The quantitative method was evaluated for spheres in voxel-based digital cylindrical and patient phantoms. Results The optimal number of OS-EM updates was 60 for all isotope-collimator combinations. The CFpoint with a VOI diameter equal to the physical size plus a 3.0-cm margin was selected, for all isotope-collimator geometries. The spheres’ quantification errors in the voxel-based digital cylindrical and patient phantoms were less than 3.2% and 5.4%, respectively, for all isotope-collimator combinations. Conclusion The study showed that quantification errors of less than 6.0% could be attained, for all isotope-collimator combinations, if corrections for; scatter, attenuation, CDR (including septal scatter and penetration) and PVEs are performed. 123I LEHR and 123I ME quantification accuracies compared well when appropriate corrections for septal scatter and penetration were applied. This can be useful in departments that perform 123I studies and may not have access to ME collimators.

Purpose: The quantitative accuracy of Nuclear Medicine images, acquired for both planar and SPECT studies, is influenced by the isotope-collimator combination as well as image corrections incorporated in the iterative reconstruction process. These factors can be investigated and optimised using Monte Carlo simulations. This study aimed to evaluate SPECT quantification accuracy for 123I with both the low energy high resolution (LEHR) and medium energy (ME) collimators, and 131I with the high energy (HE) collimator. Methods: Simulated SPECT projection images were reconstructed using the OS-EM iterative algorithm, which was optimised for the number of updates, with appropriate corrections for scatter, attenuation, and collimator detector response (CDR), including septal scatter and penetration compensation. An appropriate conversion factor (CF) was determined from four different source geometries (activity-filled: water-filled cylindrical phantom, sphere in water-filled (cold) cylindrical phantom, sphere in air and point-like source), investigated with different VOI diameters. Recovery curves were constructed from recovery coefficients to correct for partial volume effects (PVEs). The quantitative method was evaluated for spheres in voxel-based digital cylindrical and patient phantoms. Results: The optimal number of OS-EM updates was 60 for all isotope-collimator combinations. The CFpoint with a VOI diameter equal to the physical size plus a 3.0 cm margin was selected, for all isotope-collimator geometries. The spheres’ quantification errors in the voxel-based digital cylindrical and patient phantoms were less than 3.2% and 5.4%, respectively, for all isotope-collimator combinations. Conclusion: The study showed that quantification errors of less than 6.0% could be attained, for all isotope-collimator combinations, if corrections for; scatter, attenuation, CDR (including septal scatter and penetration) and PVEs, are performed. 123I LEHR and 123I ME quantification accuracies compared well when appropriate corrections for septal scatter and penetration were applied. This can be useful in departments that perform 123I studies and may not have access to ME collimators.

In screening mammography, the automatic exposure control (AEC) device selects the optimum exposure parameters for each patient exposure. In practice, this device is calibrated to deliver an optimum figure of merit (FOM) for each set of exposure parameters. This study utilises the central composite design methodology to verify the operating level of the AEC performance for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) thicknesses of 4 and 5 cm. Quadratic surface plots reveal that the exposure parameters of the default AEC mode are optimised for the 4-cm thickness of the PMMA. However, the exposure parameters of the 5-cm thickness of PMMA need fine-tuning to obtain a maximum value for the FOM.