ABSTRACT
The standardization of images derived from different medical modalities should be ensured when image fusion brings essential information and hybrid scanners are not available. The aim of this study was to show that precise image fusion standardization can be obtained using special and unique multimodal heart phantom (MHP) which is compatible with all applied diagnostic methods. MHP was designed and constructed according to International Commission on Radiological Protection reports, scanners requirements and personal experience. Three different types of acquisitions were done: physiological perfusion, myocardial ischaemia and intestines artefacts. The measurements were done using different modalities (single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), MRI, CT) as well as hybrid scanners (PET/CT, SPECT/CT). It was shown that MHP can be used not only for improvement of image fusion standardization protocol but also for verification of proper implementation of the fusion protocol in hybrid scanners.
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks for Justyna Ciszewska who provided help during measurements and image preparation. Special thanks for Artur Stępień and Joalnta Pawlus from the Nuclear Medicine Department of 5th Military Hospital with Polyclinic in Cracow who provided help during clinical measurements.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes on contributor
Katarzyna Matusiak has completed her Ph.D. in 2009 at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow. From the beginning her research activity focuses on issues related to optimization of medical procedures with special emphasize on phantoms designing and implementing.