1 What are the two most important types of Emission computed tomography?

A:SPECT and PET.

2 Describe the contrast and localization mechanism of PET.
A: See textbook 2.11 and posted notes.
PET: coincidence detection because the two annihilation photons originate at the same time; a coincidence
generates a line of response origin of annihilation lies somewhere on line of response
3 Why is it necessary to do a transmission imaging with a Ge-source before the PET scan in a
conventional PET imaging? Do we still need to do the transmission imaging in the latest PET scanner?
A: To correct attenuation. There is no need for that with PET-CT. See textbook section 2.11.4.1 and slide 35 of
the posted notes.
PET-CT: co-registered patient anatomy and activity distribution; attenuation correction for free
After tracer injection, the patient waits for typically 2 hrs CT scan over the relevant body part is
acquired acquire PET scan of the same body part
4 Compare the 2D and 3D acquisition mode of PET. Which one has a better SNR?
A: See textbook section 2.11.6 and slide 25 of the posted notes.
2D: septa; few cross plan; (2n-1) sonograms for 2D acquisition; septa will prohibit coincidence that is farther
aprt than one detector range
3D: n^2 sinograms for 3D acquisition; no collimator so detect any photons
5. Explain the factors that influence the spatial resolution of PET.
A: See textbook section 2.11.5
1. The number of photons collected by each detector. Larger number of photons leads to better SNR and
better spatial resolution.
2. The finite distance which the positron travels before annihilation.
3. The slight deviation from a nominal angle of 180 degrees between the pair of photons.
4. The size of the crystal.
5. What is TOF-PET?
A: See the slide 19 and 20 of the posted notes.
TOF (time of flight) detection leads to additional information about the location of the annihilation event; gain
in image quality (smaller noise, shorter image acquisition time, less dose to the patient)