Accelerated SPECT image reconstruction with FBP and an image enhancement convolutional neural network

BACKGROUND: Monte Carlo-based iterative reconstruction to correct for photon scatter and collimator effects has been proven to be superior over analytical correction schemes in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT), but it is currently not commonly used in daily clinical practice due to the long associated reconstruction times. We propose to use a convolutional neural network (CNN) to upgrade fast filtered back projection (FBP) image quality so that reconstructions comparable in quality to the Monte Carlo-based reconstruction can be obtained within seconds. RESULTS: A total of 128 technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin pre-treatment SPECT/CT scans used to guide hepatic radioembolization were available. Four reconstruction methods were compared: FBP, clinical reconstruction, Monte Carlo-based reconstruction, and the neural network approach. The CNN generated reconstructions in 5 sec, whereas clinical reconstruction took 5 min and the Monte Carlo-based reconstruction took 19 min. The mean squared error of the neural network approach in the validation set was between that of the Monte Carlo-based and clinical reconstruction, and the lung shunting fraction difference was lower than 2 percent point. A phantom experiment showed that quantitative measures required in radioembolization were accurately retrieved from the CNN-generated reconstructions. CONCLUSIONS: FBP with an image enhancement neural network provides SPECT reconstructions with quality close to that obtained with Monte Carlo-based reconstruction within seconds

Tai chi chuan : an ancient wisdom on exercise and health promotion

A lack of consistent guidelines regarding mammographic compression has led to wide variation in its technical execution. Breast compression is accomplished by means of a compression paddle, resulting in a certain contact area between the paddle and the breast. This procedure is associated with varying levels of discomfort or pain. On current mammography systems, the only mechanical parameter available in estimating the degree of compression is the physical entity of force (daN). Recently, researchers have suggested that pressure (kPa), resulting from a specific force divided by contact area on a breast, might be a more appropriate parameter for standardization. Software has now become available which enables device-independent cross-comparisons of key mammographic metrics, such as applied compression pressure (force divided by contact area), breast density and radiation dose, between patient populations. To compare the current compression practice in mammography between different imaging sites in the Netherlands and the United States from a mechanical point of view, and to investigate whether the compression protocols in these countries can be improved by standardization of pressure (kPa) as an objective mechanical parameter. We retrospectively studied the available parameters of a set of 37,518 mammographic compressions (9188 women) from the Dutch national breast cancer screening programme (NL data set) and of another set of 7171 compressions (1851 women) from a breast imaging centre in Pittsburgh, PA (US data set). Both sets were processed using VolparaAnalytics and VolparaDensity to obtain the applied average force, pressure, breast thickness, breast volume, breast density and average glandular dose (AGD) as a function of the size of the contact area between the breast and the paddle. On average, the forces and pressures applied in the NL data set were significantly higher than in the US data set. The relative standard deviation was larger in the US data set than in the NL data set. Breasts were compressed with a force in the high range of >15 daN for 31.1% and >20 kPa for 12.3% of the NL data set versus, respectively, 1.5% and 1.7% of the US data set. In the low range we encountered compressions with a pressure of <5 daN for 21.1% and <5 kPa for 21.7% of the US data set versus, respectively, 0.05% and 0.6% in the NL data set. Both the average and the standard deviation of the AGD were higher in the US data set. (1) Current mammographic breast compression policies lead to a wide range of applied forces and pressures, with large variations both within and between clinical sites. (2) Pressure standardization could decrease variation, improve reproducibility, and reduce the risk of unnecessary pain, unnecessary high radiation doses and inadequate image qualit

Technical Note: Validation of two methods to determine contact area between breast and compression paddle in mammography

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of two methods of determining the contact area between the compression paddle and the breast in mammography. An accurate method to determine the contact area is essential to accurately calculate the average compression pressure applied by the paddle. Methods: For a set of 300 breast compressions, we measured the contact areas between breast and paddle, both capacitively using a transparent foil with indium-tin-oxide (ITO) coating attached to the paddle, and retrospectively from the obtained mammograms using image processing software (Volpara Enterprise, algorithm version 1.5.2). A gold standard was obtained from video images of the compressed breast. During each compression, the breast was illuminated from the sides in order to create a dark shadow on the video image where the breast was in contact with the compression paddle. We manually segmented the shadows captured at the time of x-ray exposure and measured their areas. Results: We found a strong correlation between the manual segmentations and the capacitive measurements [r = 0.989, 95% CI (0.987, 0.992)] and between the manual segmentations and the image processing software [r = 0.978, 95% CI (0.972, 0.982)]. Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias of -0.0038 dm(2) for the capacitive measurement (SD 0.0658, 95% limits of agreement [-0.1329, 0.1252]) and -0.0035 dm(2) for the image processing software [SD 0.0962, 95% limits of agreement (-0.1921, 0.1850)]. Conclusions: The size of the contact area between the paddle and the breast can be determined accurately and precisely, both in real-time using the capacitive method, and retrospectively using image processing software. This result is beneficial for scientific research, data analysis and quality control systems that depend on one of these two methods for determining the average pressure on the breast during mammographic compression. (C) 2017 Sigmascreening B.V. Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicin

Three-dimensional histologic validation of high-resolution SPECT of antibody distributions within xenografts

Longitudinal imaging of intratumoral distributions of antibodies in vivo in mouse cancer models is of great importance for developing cancer therapies. In this study, multipinhole SPECT with sub-half-millimeter resolution was tested for exploring intratumoral distributions of radiolabeled antibodies directed toward the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and compared with full 3-dimensional target expression assessed by immunohistochemistry. (111)In-labeled zalutumumab, a human monoclonal human EGFr-targeting antibody, was administered at a nonsaturating dose to 3 mice with xenografted A431 tumors exhibiting high EGFr expression. Total-body and focused in vivo tumor SPECT was performed at 0 and 48 h after injection and compared both visually and quantitatively with full 3-dimensional immunohistochemical staining for EGFr target expression. SPECT at 48 h after injection showed that activity was predominantly concentrated in the tumor (10.5% ± 1.3% of the total-body activity; average concentration, 30.1% ± 4.6% of the injected dose per cubic centimeter). (111)In-labeled EGFr-targeting antibodies were distributed heterogeneously throughout the tumor. Some hot spots were observed near the tumor rim. Immunohistochemistry indicated that the antibody distributions obtained by SPECT were morphologically similar to those obtained for ex vivo EGFr target expression. Regions showing low SPECT activity were necrotic or virtually negative for EGFr target expression. A good correlation (r = 0.86, P <0.0001) was found between the percentage of regions showing low activity on SPECT and the percentage of necrotic tissue on immunohistochemistry. Multipinhole SPECT enables high-resolution visualization and quantification of the heterogeneity of (111)In-zalutumumab concentrations in viv

Targeted multi-pinhole SPECT

Purpose: Small-animal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with focused multi-pinhole collimation geometries allows scanning modes in which large amounts of photons can be collected from specific volumes of interest. Here we present new tools that improve targeted imaging of specific organs and tumours, and validate the effects of improved targeting of the pinhole focus. Methods: A SPECT system with 75 pinholes and stationary detectors was used (U-SPECT-II). An XYZ stage automatically translates the animal bed with a specific sequence in order to scan a selected volume of interest. Prior to stepping the animal through the collimator, integrated webcams acquire images of the animal. Using sliders, the user designates the desired volume to be scanned (e.g. a xenograft or specific organ) on these optical images. Optionally projections of an atlas are overlaid semiautomatically to locate specific organs. In order to assess the effects of more targeted imaging, scans of a resolution phantom and a mouse myocardial phantom, as well as in vivo mouse cardiac and tumour scans, were acquired with increased levels of targeting. Differences were evaluated in terms of count yield, hot rod visibility and contrast-to-noise ratio. Results: By restricting focused SPECT scans to a 1.13-ml resolution phantom, count yield was increased by a factor 3.6, and visibility of small structures was significantly enhanced. At equal noise levels, the small-lesion contrast measured in the myocardial phantom was increased by 42%. Noise in in vivo images of a tumour and the mouse heart was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Targeted pinhole SPECT improves images and can be used to shorten scan times. Scan planning with optical cameras provides an effective tool to exploit this principle without the necessity for additional X-ray CT imaging.Radiation, Radionuclides and ReactorsApplied Science