Author_Institution :
Dept. of Radiol./Nucl. Med., Duke Univ. Med. Center, Durham, NC
Abstract :
Tomographic radiopharmaceutical imaging, or emission computed tomography (ECT), provides in vivo three-dimensional maps of a pharmaceutical labeled with a gamma-ray-emitting radionuclide. ECT has developed in two complimentary directions based on the type of radionuclide that is used. Positron emission computed tomography (PET) detects the two coincident 511-keV annihilation photos from position emitters such as 11C, 13N, 15O, and 18F. Single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) involves detection of gamma rays emitted singly, and sequentially, by the radionuclide tracer. The author presents examples of PET and SPECT imaging devices and reviews a widely used reconstruction algorithm. Current research areas that are under active investigation are also described
Keywords :
computerised tomography; radioisotope scanning and imaging; reviews; 511 keV; 11C; 13N; 15O; 18F; PET; SPECT; emission computed tomography; in vivo 3D maps; nuclear medicine; reconstruction algorithm; single-photon-emission computed tomography; tomographic radiopharmaceutical imaging; Computed tomography; Electrical capacitance tomography; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; Gamma rays; In vivo; Optical imaging; Pharmaceuticals; Positron emission tomography; Radioactive decay;
