Towards a comprehensive validation of a Monte Carlo simulation for clinical SPECT acquisition protocol optimisation and image correction
Pells, S. Cullen, D. M. Robinson, Andrew P Pietras, B. Calvert, Nicholas Deidda, D. Fenwick, A. Ferreira, K. Hamilton, David Heetun, W.
Pells, S.
Cullen, D. M.
Robinson, Andrew P
Pietras, B.
Calvert, Nicholas
Deidda, D.
Fenwick, A.
Ferreira, K.
Hamilton, David
Heetun, W.
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Abstract
Aim/Introduction: Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are a
valuable tool for the optimisation of acquisition protocols
and image corrections in Single-Photon Emission
Computed Tomography (SPECT). Simulations allow direct
gamma tracking and show all interactions that occur
during acquisition. They offer an unparalleled insight into
processes that are not directly experimentally observable
such as scatter and attenuation within the acquisition. As
the need for quantitative SPECT becomes increasingly
important for dosimetry calculations, accurate image
corrections are essential, and their methodologies are
increasingly based on results from MC. Whilst MC is often
used to provide a ‘ground-truth’, this is only the case if the
simulation is fully validated against experimental data.
This is a vital part of confirming the performance of new
scanners. This work aims to establish a validation protocol
for MC SPECT simulations. Materials and Methods: A full MC
simulation of the triple-head SPECT system installed at the
National Physical Laboratory has been developed in the
GATE (Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission) [1]
tool-kit. The simulation extensively models the components
of each detector head and a range of collimators according
to technical specifications provided. The simulation can run
in both dual- and triple-head acquisition modes. Validation
data has been collected in a range of geometries, including
commercial and 3D-printed phantoms, for multiple
therapeutic and diagnostic isotopes. Results: Experimental
and simulated data have been compared for both the dualand
triple-head acquisitions, providing validation for all key
experimental observables for a range of therapeutic and
diagnostic isotopes. Conclusion: The validation procedure
has demonstrated that the MC simulation accurately
reproduces SPECT data. The validated simulation will be
used to optimise clinical imaging protocols and image
corrections, including for novel radioisotopes such as Tb-
155 and Tb-161 where low availability of isotopes limits experimental studies.
Affiliation
Description
Date
2020
Publisher
Collections
Keywords
Type
Meetings and Proceedings
Citation
Pells S, Cullen DM, Robinson AP, Pietras B, Calvert N, Deidda D, et al. Towards a comprehensive validation of a Monte Carlo simulation for clinical SPECT acquisition protocol optimisation and image correction. European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. 2020;47(SUPPL 1):S418-S9