Impact of Attenuation Correction on Quantification Accuracy in Preclinical Whole-Body PET Images

Abstract

Background: Whole-body PET images can be obtained by using the "step-and-shoot" (SaS) method (using multiple bed positions) or continuous bed motion (CBM). As transmission scans are not always feasible, an alternative method where attenuation data can be generated via emission-based attenuation correction (AC) maps is of interest. The aim of this preclinical study was to investigate the influence of the acquisition method and AC on the quantitation accuracy of [F-18]FDG-PET. Methods: [F-18]FDG-PET phantom images were acquired using either SaS or CBM. Transmission scans were recorded for the SaS method using a Co-57-point source. Emission-based attenuation sinograms were obtained from the images after segmentation and inverse Fourier rebinning. PET images were reconstructed without AC, transmission based (TX-AC) and emission-based (EM-AC) attenuation correction. Moreover, [F-18]FDG-PET scans of rats bearing mammary carcinomas acquired using either SaS or CBM were analyzed retrospectively and quantification in tissues was compared. Results: Phantom recovery coefficients (R-C) varied greatly, ranging from 0.49 +/- 0.01 to 1.15 +/- 0.07, dependent on acquisition method, reconstruction algorithm and AC method. In CBM acquired images, EM-AC improved quantification accuracy when compared to no-AC images in the phantom studies (R-C 0.79 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.49 +/- 0.01, respectively) and in tumors of rats (DMBA model: 1.16 +/- 0.42 SUV vs. 0.86 +/- 0.28 SUV, respectively). Conclusion: The method of AC has a strong influence on the quantification of [F-18]FDG. Our data indicates that EM-AC improves quantification in images obtained by CBM and SaS. However, the obtained values were still underestimated when compared to TX-AC corrected images.