TECHNOLOGY FOR FDG SPECT WITH A RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE GAMMA-CAMERA -WORK-IN-PROGRESS

PURPOSE: At the time of the co-development of a commercial dual-headed gamma camera for whole-body single photon emission computed tomograph y (SPECT), modifications were made to permit imaging of 511-keV photon s (from positron emitters) while maintaining versatility and cost-effe ctiveness in nuclear medicine for routine nonpositron studies. MATERIA LS AND METHODS: Special collimators were made, and gantry stability wa s increased. Detector shielding and crystal thickness were not changed . In phantoms, healthy volunteers (two men, aged 34 and 38 years), and 109 patients (71 male and 38 female patients, aged 2-74 years [mean, 56 years]), SPECT was performed with 2 [fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-g lucose (FDG). In patients, 36 myocardial viability, 47 oncologic, and 26 brain examinations were performed. RESULTS: All FDG SPECT scans wer e subjectively judged to be of acceptable quality. Preliminary results in regard to diagnostic findings are reviewed; this analysis is inten ded to be a feasibility study not a conclusive review of imaging accur acy. CONCLUSION: FDG SPECT provides images that are interpretable for cardiac or oncologic diagnosis, without the need for or expense of a p ositron emission tomography (PET) center or a dedicated PET scanner.