Analytic and iterative reconstruction algorithms in SPECT

J Nucl Med. 2002 Oct;43(10):1343-58.

Abstract

Images of the inside of the human body can be obtained noninvasively using tomographic acquisition and processing techniques. In particular, these techniques are commonly used to obtain images of a gamma-emitter distribution after its administration in the human body. The reconstructed images are obtained given a set of their projections, acquired using rotating gamma cameras. A general overview of analytic and iterative methods of reconstruction in SPECT is presented with a special focus on filter backprojection (FBP), conjugate gradient, maximum likelihood expectation maximization, and maximum a posteriori expectation maximization algorithms. The FBP algorithm is faster than iterative algorithms, with the latter providing a framework for accurately modeling the emission and detection processes.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*