Influence of Multiple Animal Scanning on Image Quality for the Sedecal SuperArgus2R Preclinical PET Scanner

Abstract

Background: Increased throughput in small animal preclinical studies using positron emission tomography leads to reduced costs and improved efficiency of experimental design, however the presence of multiple off-centre subjects, as opposed to a single centered one, may affect image quality in several ways.Methods: We evaluated the count rate performance using a NEMA scatter phantom. A Monte Carlo simulation of the system was validated against this dataset and used to simulate the count rate performance for dual scatter phantoms. NEMA NU4 image quality phantoms were then scanned in the central and offset positions, as well as in the offset position next to a uniform activity phantom. Uniformity, recovery coefficients and spillover ratios were then compared, as were two time frames for acquisition.Results: Count rate performance assessed with a single NEMA scatter phantom was in line with previous literature, with simulated data in good agreement. Simulation of dual scatter phantoms showed an increase in scatter fraction. For the NEMA Image Quality phantom, uniformity and Recovery coefficients were degraded in the offset, and dual phantom cases, while spillover ratios were increased, notably when the chamber was placed nearest the gantry. Image quality metrics were comparable between the 20- and 10 min timeframes.Conclusion: Dual animal scanning results in some loss of image quality on the Sedecal Argus PET scanner; however, this degradation is within acceptable limits.

PET imaging and quantification of small animals using a clinical SiPM-based camera

“…However, due to the size limitations of the bed holed, it was not possible to image animals larger than a mouse. In a more recent study by Efthimiou et al [ 35 ], the impact of scanning multiple animal on image quality was investigated. The authors found that imaging more the two animals simultaneously resulted in a loss of image quality.…”

Reconstruction of multi-animal PET acquisitions with anisotropically variant PSF

“…Preclinical positron emission tomography (PET) scanners with extended Field of View (FOV) offer the capability to image multiple animals simultaneously, leading to cost reduction and enhanced radiotracer efficiency [1,2]. Due to the fact that the animals may be placed far from the center of the field of view (FOV), uniform image resolution and general image quality across the FOV is paramount [3][4][5][6]. This work proposes an algorithm to improve the resolution uniformity of reconstructed images, enabling multianimal imaging.…”