RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Fusion of SPECT and Multidetector CT Images for Accurate Localization of Pelvic Sentinel Lymph Nodes in Prostate Cancer Patients
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
JO J. Nucl. Med. Technol.
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 78
OP 82
VO 33
IS 2
A1 Kizu, Hiroto
A1 Takayama, Teruhiko
A1 Fukuda, Mamoru
A1 Egawa, Masayuki
A1 Tsushima, Hiroyuki
A1 Yamada, Masato
A1 Ichiyanagi, Kenji
A1 Yokoyama, Kunihiko
A1 Onoguchi, Masahisa
A1 Tonami, Norihisa
YR 2005
UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/33/2/78.abstract
AB Objective: The present study was performed to investigate the feasibility of fusion of images obtained by SPECT and multidetector CT (MDCT) for the accurate localization of sentinel lymph nodes in prostate cancer patients. Methods: To facilitate the fusion of both SPECT and CT images, a pelvic MDCT scan was performed with 3 markers of small plastic bullets attached to the skin over the bilateral iliac crests and the ventral midline at the same height. SPECT was performed after the same locations were marked with needle caps containing 99mTc-pertechnetate. The images were superimposed by use of free software (MRIcro). The results of hot lymph node detection with fusion images were compared with those of surgery. Results: The images could be successfully superimposed for all 11 patients examined. Surgeons accurately confirmed 27 (87.1%) of 31 regional lymph nodes on fusion images. Conclusion: Fusion of SPECT and MDCT images is useful for the precise localization of sentinel lymph nodes in prostate cancer patients.