Abstract
Background: the digital positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT) scanner with digital photon counting (DPC) technique promises a shorter scan time, improved small lesion detectability, and reduced radiation dose for the PET and CT portions of the exam, while improving image quality. Methods: in this single-institution retrospective review study, 84 participants that had undergone PET/CT exams on both the Philips analog and digital scanners were analyzed. The aim was to evaluate the impact of image field of view (FOV) and body mass index (BMI) on the digital compared to the analog PET/CT scanner. The participants were categorized into different groups based on their BMIs. Total scan times, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) doses, and deep length product (DLP) were collected and compared. Results: the results revealed that the digital scanner has a shorter scan time, less DLP, and requires less FDG dose when compared to the analog scanner. The most impactful difference in scan time, DLP, and FDG dose were observed in the obese and overweight participants.