Improvement of image quality using amplitude-based respiratory gating in PET-computed tomography scanning

Abstract

Objectives This study sought to provide data supporting the expanded clinical use of respiratory gating by assessing the diagnostic accuracy of breathing motion correction using amplitude-based respiratory gating. Methods A respiratory movement tracking device was attached to a PET-computed tomography scanner, and images were obtained in respiratory gating mode using a motion phantom that was capable of sensing vertical motion. Specifically, after setting amplitude changes and intervals according to the movement cycle using a total of nine combinations of three waveforms and three amplitude ranges, respiratory motion-corrected images were reconstructed using the filtered back projection method. After defining areas of interest in the acquired images in the same image planes, statistical analyses were performed to compare differences in standardized uptake value (SUV), lesion volume, full width at half maximum (FWHM), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Results SUVmax increased by 89.9%, and lesion volume decreased by 27.9%. Full width at half maximum decreased by 53.9%, signal-to-noise ratio increased by 11% and contrast-to-noise ratio increased by 16.3%. Optimal results were obtained when using a rest waveform and 35% duty cycle, in which the change in amplitude in the respiratory phase signal was low, and a constant level of long breaths was maintained. Conclusions These results demonstrate that respiratory-gated PET-CT imaging can be used to accurately correct for SUV changes and image distortion caused by respiratory motion, thereby providing excellent imaging information and quality.

Analysis of emerging trends and hot spots in respiratory biomechanics from 2003 to 2022 based on CiteSpace

“…For those who cannot cooperate, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be used, which is less costly and provide lung and heart protection. Additionally, respiratory-gated PET-CT imaging ( Kim et al, 2021 ) can be used to improve the quality of images and accurately calibrate the respiratory motion. If attenuation correction occurred problems, positron emission tomography (PET) can be affected.…”