Registration of three-dimensional magnetic resonance and radionuclide skeletal images

Purpose: To apply postprocessing techniques to register three-dimensional T I-201 bone SPECT datasets with MRI, This may provide more accurate anatomic -functional correlation when localizing active tumors, Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional datasets were constructed from pre viously acquired MRIs using routine imaging protocols, Registration softwar e was used to coregister the TI-201 SPECT studies and the MRIs in three dim ensions. Results: Adequate TI-201 uptake in muscles and soft tissues along with rela tively low accumulation in tendons and joint spaces provided adequate landm arks for visually aligning SPECT and MRI datasets, MR abnormalities were mo re extensive because of surrounding reactive tissue, and more focal TI-201 uptake could be demonstrated within the region of MR signal abnormality, al lowing the focal metabolically active tissue to be distinguished from adjac ent edema, Conclusions: Image registration of SPECT and anatomic imaging (CT or MRI) i s used routinely to evaluate functional abnormalities within the brain, Thi s technique has now been applied to the combination of TI-201 SPECT and MR data for evaluating bone lesions and may provide additional anatomic inform ation for localizing functional abnormalities, This may be valuable for def ining targets for biopsy, planning surgical treatment, and using minimally invasive therapies.