Computed Tomography (CT) Protocols Associated with Cardiac and Bone Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is an advanced hybrid nuclear medicine technology that generates both functional and anatomical images in a single study. As utilization of SPECT/CT in Korea has been increasing, the purpose of this study was to survey its application of cardiac and skeletal SPECT/CT imaging for protocol optimization.

Methods: We surveyed CT protocols established for cardiac and skeletal SPECT/CT. We searched the guidelines for the CT protocols for SPECT/CT and reviewed the literature recently published.

Results: Among 36 hybrid SPECT scanners equipped with four or more multi-channel detector CTs (MDCTs), 18 scanners were used to perform cardiac studies at both very low current CT (30-80 mA; 11.1%) and ultra-low current CT (13-30 mA; 88.9%). Among the 33 canners, very low current (≤ 80 mA) CT or low current CT (80-130 mA) was used in 23.5%, and 41.8% for spine disorders, and in 36.4% or 30.3% for foot/ankle disorders, respectively. In the CT reconstructions, slice thickness of 5 mm for cardiac studies was most commonly used (94.4%); thinner slices (0.6-1.0 mm) for spine and foot/ankle studies were used in 24.2% and 45.5%, respectively. We also reviewed the international guidelines.

Conclusions: The results and current recommendations will be helpful for optimizing CT protocols for SPECT/CT. Optimization of SPECT/CT protocols will be required for generating the proper strategy for the specific lesions and clinical purpose.