Skip to main content
Log in

Gamma camera-mounted anatomical X-ray tomography: technology, system characteristics and first images

  • Original article
  • Published:
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

Scintigraphic diagnosis, based on functional image interpretation, becomes more accurate and meaningful when supported by corresponding anatomical data. In order to produce anatomical images that are inherently registered with images of emission computerised tomography acquired with a gamma camera, an X-ray transmission system was mounted on the slip-ring gantry of a GEMS Millennium VG gamma camera. The X-ray imaging system is composed of an X-ray tube and a set of detectors located on opposite sides of the gantry rotor that moves around the patient along with the nuclear detectors. A cross-sectional anatomical transmission map is acquired as the system rotates around the patient in a manner similar to a third-generation computerised tomography (CT) system. Following transmission, single-photon emission tomography (SPET) or positron emission tomography (PET) coincidence detection images are acquired and the resultant emission images are thus inherently registered to the anatomical maps. Attenuation correction of the emission images is performed with the same anatomical maps to generate transmission maps. Phantom experiments of system performance and examples of first SPET and coincidence detection patient images are presented. Despite limitations of the system when compared with a state of the art CT scanner, the transmission anatomical maps allow for precise anatomical localisation and for attenuation correction of the emission images.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received 27 October 1999 and in revised form 10 February 2000

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bocher, M., Balan, A., Krausz, Y. et al. Gamma camera-mounted anatomical X-ray tomography: technology, system characteristics and first images. Eur J Nucl Med 27, 619–627 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002590050555

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002590050555

Navigation