Dynamic and static tomographic renal coincidence imaging with a gamma camera using Rb-82: a feasibility study

Rb-82, a positron emitter, with a half-life of ~75 sec, is a promising radionuclide which can potentially turn the concept of sequential dynamic tomographic renal imaging into reality. The aim of this work was to study the feasibility of tomographic renal imaging using a hybrid SPECT/PET system. To realize this goal 1) resolution of Rb-82 was measured using the Deluxe ECT phantom with solid spheres (0.95 cm to 3.18 cm in diameter) and was compared with Tc-99m, 2) in vivo resolution was measured in the kidneys, 3) dynamic tomographic renal imaging was performed using a single 3 mCi Rb-82 bolus and limited angle tomography, and 4) static tomographic renal imaging was performed using multiple boluses in combination with either single or multiple step acquisitions, stopping the acquisition during the bolus injection. Renal acquisitions were done using New Zeeland White Rabbits weighting between 4 and 7 kg