Standardization of the heart-to-mediastinum ratio of 123I-labelled-metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake using the dual energy window method: feasibility of correction with different camera-collimator combinations

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2009 Apr;36(4):560-6. doi: 10.1007/s00259-008-0971-2. Epub 2008 Nov 7.

Abstract

Background: Although the heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio in a planar image has been used for practical quantification in (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging, standardization of the parameter is not yet established. We hypothesized that the value of the H/M ratio could be standardized to the various camera-collimator combinations.

Methods and results: Standard phantoms consisting of the heart and mediastinum were made. A low-energy high-resolution (LEHR) collimator and a medium-energy (ME) collimator were used. We examined multi-window correction methods with (123)I- dual-window (IDW) acquisition, and planar images were obtained with IDW correction and the LEHR collimator. The images were obtained using the following gamma camera systems: GCA 9300A (Toshiba, Tokyo), E.CAM Signature (Toshiba/Siemens, Tokyo) and Varicam (GE, Tokyo). Cardiac phantom studies demonstrated that contamination of the H/M count ratio was greater with the LEHR collimator and least with the ME collimator. The corrected H/M ratio with the LEHR collimator was similar to that with ME collimators. The uncorrected H/M ratio with the ME collimator was linearly related to the H/M ratio with IDW correction with the LEHR collimator. The relationship between the uncorrected H/M ratios determined with the LEHR (E.CAM) and the ME collimators was y = 0.56x + 0.49, where y = H/M ratio with the E.CAM and x = H/M ratio with the ME collimator. The average normal values for the low-energy collimator (n=18) were 2.2+/-0.2 (initial H/M ratio) and 2.42+/-0.2 (delayed H/M ratio), and for the low/medium-energy (LME) collimator (n=14) were 2.63+/-0.25 (initial H/M ratio) and 2.87+/-0.19 (delayed H/M ratio). H/M ratios in previous clinical studies using LEHR collimators are comparable to those with ME collimators.

Conclusion: The IDW-corrected H/M ratios determined with the LEHR collimator were similar to those determined with the ME collimator. This finding could make it possible to standardize the H/M ratio in planar imaging among various collimators in the clinical setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3-Iodobenzylguanidine / chemistry*
  • Automation
  • Cardiology / methods
  • Diagnostic Imaging / instrumentation*
  • Diagnostic Imaging / standards*
  • Equipment Design
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / therapeutic use*
  • Mediastinum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacology
  • Scattering, Radiation

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • 3-Iodobenzylguanidine