SPECT: A Practical Guide for Users

Abstract

The recent surge of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) cameras and systems in the commercial market has made unfamiliar equipment available. Current literature tends to present SPECT in terms of mathematics for physicists or clinical results for physicians with little guidance on operating a SPECT system. Yet even the best system is quite unforgiving of sloppy operation. It is not only necessary to have stable, reliable instruments and software but also, the nuclear medicine technologist must be able to perform proper calibration and operation. We review the basic acquisition parameters and data processing techniques necessary for high quality results from a SPECT system.