FDG Imaging of Lung Nodules: A Phantom Study Comparing SPECT, Camera-based PET, and Dedicated PET

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Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) imaging of simulated lung nodules in a realistic chest phantom by using attenuation-corrected and non–attenuation-corrected 511-keV single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), camera-based positron emission tomography (PET), and dedicated PET imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spheres with diameters of 6, 10, 13, and 22 mm were placed in the lungs of an anthropomorphic chest phantom to simulate nodules. The lungs, nodules, chest wall, and mediastinum were filled with fluorine-18 activities based on the average radionuclide concentrations in those structures from analysis of attenuation-corrected dedicated FDG PET scans. The image sets were evaluated visually and quantitatively by using contrast and signal-to-noise ratios. RESULTS: Attenuation correction reduced the artificially high apparent uptake in the lungs, restored the spherical shape to the nodules, and provided an accurate outer body contour with appropriate intensity. Dedicat...