Monte Carlo simulation study of multi-window imaging

A Monte Carlo simulation study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and validity of simultaneous dual-radionuclide imaging of tracers (Tc-99m, Tl-201 and Xe-133) using multi-window acquisition. Dual radionuclide imaging would allow simultaneous emission and transmission imaging, viewing of paired tracers during the same clinical and physiologic state, and eliminate problems in image registration incurred in comparing images from sequential imaging studies. Energy spectra, planar and SPECT images were obtained for a point source placed at various depths in a water filled cylinder and a brain phantom with and without lesions. The system energy resolution was set at 1% intervals between 6 and 14%. Simulations of image acquisition at 16 energy windows (EW) were recorded for each radionuclide. The study shows that large changes in lesion contrast and detectability due to cross-talk can be corrected using a third EW in dual radionuclide imaging of Tc-Xe and Tc-Tl