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Optimal ⁵⁷Co Flood Source Activity and Acquisition Time for Lymphoscintigraphy Localization Images

Division of Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Imaging Physics, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas

View larger version (110K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGURE 1.  Modified anthropomorphic thorax breast phantom used to simulate breast lymphoscintigraphy injection-site uptake (A) and lymphatic drainage to 2 nodes (B).

View larger version (101K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGURE 2.  Different 57Co sources (activities of 37, 126, 184, 220, and 269 MBq) allowed visualization of both nodes with acquisition time of 3 min (A–D). Anterior localization images (1 and 2 min) did not show both nodes; however, both nodes were visible on lateral images (C and D).

View larger version (105K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGURE 3.  Node activities of 37 kBq were undetectable on anterior transmission images; however, they were visible on lateral transmission images using 126-MBq (3.41-mCi) 57Co flood source.

View larger version (10K): [in this window] [in a new window]   FIGURE 4.  Plot of contrast-to-noise ratio versus source activity and block thickness for 2 node strengths.