A REAPPRAISAL OF CURRENT METHODS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF PLANAR GAMMA-CAMERA PERFORMANCE

This study reappraises the acquisition parameters defined by three cur rent protocols for the specification of planar gamma camera performanc e. These are the manufacturer Standards of the National Electrical Man ufacturers' Association [1] and the International Electrotechnical Com mission [2], and the user-orientated protocol of the UK Department of Health (DoH, formerly DHSS) Gamma Camera Performance Assessment Group [3]. The study looks specifically at three major planar performance ch aracteristics: intrinsic non-uniformity, intrinsic spatial resolution and intrinsic non-linearity (spatial distortion). Acquisition paramete rs specified for these characteristics are investigated by testing a r ange of values for each parameter around those figures currently advoc ated by the three protocols. Those acquisition parameters which may be relaxed without loss of data integrity are identified and the adoptio n of revised parameters for some measurements within the DoH assessmen t protocol is suggested. Reviewing the data obtained, observations are made regarding the accuracy of some tests performed regularly for qua lity control purposes. The feasibility and advantages of incorporating some suitably modified DoH performance assessment tests within a rout ine quality assurance protocol for the gamma camera are also discussed .